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DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms. Nearly every cell in a person’s body has the same DNA. Most DNA is located in the cell nucleus (where it is called nuclear DNA), but a small amount of DNA can also be found in the mitochondria (where it is called mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA).

Next-generation RNA sequencing technology sheds new light on human mitochondrial diseases

The ability to translate the genetic code into proteins is an essential step in all living organisms. A cornerstone of this molecular process is the ability of transfer RNA (tRNA) molecules to couple recognition of the genetic code with the cognate amino acid, which are the building blocks of proteins.

19 Oct 2018

A new approach identified to control Zika virus, dengue fever

Mosquitoes are the world's deadliest animals, killing thousands of people and causing millions of illnesses each year.

19 Oct 2018

Father’s exposure to nicotine may cause cognitive deficits in descendants

A father’s exposure to nicotine may cause cognitive deficits in his children and even grandchildren, according to a study in mice publishing on October 16 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Pradeep Bhide of Florida State University in Tallahassee and colleagues.

19 Oct 2018

New DNA vaccine strategy protects mice against lethal challenge by multiple H3N2 viruses

Researchers developed a novel DNA influenza vaccine based on four micro-consensus antigenic regions selected to represent the diversity of seasonal H3N2 viruses across decades.

18 Oct 2018

Genetically modifying zebrafish provides numerous, highly accurate disease models

Research published today describes how zebrafish can be genetically engineered to produce more accurate models of human disease.

18 Oct 2018

Sleeping Beauty technique helps identify genes responsible for NAFLD-associated liver cancer

With an estimated twenty-thousand protein-coding genes in the human genome, pinpointing a specific gene or pathway responsible for a particular disease can be like finding a needle in the proverbial haystack.

17 Oct 2018

Loss of tumor protein p53 helps cancer cells grow in hostile environment

Researchers have discovered a novel consequence of loss of the tumor protein p53 that promotes cancer development, according to new findings in eLife.

17 Oct 2018

Researchers demonstrate epigenetic memory transmission via sperm

A new study suggests that if the epigenetics of sperm chromosomes are altered by the environment a father experiences, then this could affect offspring’s health.

17 Oct 2018

Beckman Coulter Life Sciences announces new research-focused website

For a quarter century, the Beckman Coulter name has been important to clinicians and researchers worldwide.

From Beckman Coulter Life Sciences - Flow Cytometry 17 Oct 2018

New blood test could spare cancer patients from unnecessary chemotherapy

Cancer patients could be spared unnecessary chemotherapy - and its side effects - by a new blood test that is in clinical trials at more than 40 hospitals in Australia and New Zealand.

17 Oct 2018

Study of Nigerian breast cancer patients reveals prevalence of aggressive molecular features

A study comparing DNA and RNA data from Nigerian breast cancer patients to patients in a United States database found that certain aggressive molecular features were far more prevalent in tumors from Nigerian women than in black or white American women.

16 Oct 2018

Study uncovers important role of PRMT1 in dilated cardiomyopathy

In a study published in iScience, Professor Akiyoshi Fukamizu of the Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (University of Tsukuba, JAPAN) and the research group reported a new work on discovery of the important role of PRMT1 in dilated cardiomyopathy.

16 Oct 2018

New blood test for pediatric brain tumor patients offers safer approach than surgical biopsies

A new blood test for children with brain tumors offers a safer approach than surgical biopsies and may allow doctors to measure the effectiveness of treatment even before changes are identified on scans, according to research led by UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals and Children’s National Health System.

16 Oct 2018

Researchers sequence two selfish genes in the fungus Neurospora intermedia

Selfish genes are genes that are passed on to the next generation but confer no advantage on the individual as a whole, and may sometimes be harmful.

15 Oct 2018

Breastfeeding reduces the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in infant gut

A new study from the University of Helsinki shows that babies that are breastfed for at least six months have less antibiotic-resistant bacteria in their gut compared with infants breastfed for a shorter time. In addition, antibiotic use by mothers increases the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in infants.

15 Oct 2018

Vast majority of dementia cases may arise from spontaneous genetic errors

Only a small proportion of cases of dementia are thought to be inherited - the cause of the vast majority is unknown.

15 Oct 2018

Researchers to study the use of CRISPR on human liver on-a-chip platform

Two Arizona State University professors are among the first recipients of Somatic Cell Genome Editing grants from the National Institutes of Health Common Fund. The $2,600,000, five-year grant will fund the first study of the genome editing technology CRISPR to be used on a "human liver on-a-chip" platform.

15 Oct 2018

Researchers develop two-pronged approach for targeting Ebola virus

In a new study researchers have developed a two-pronged approach for targeting Ebola virus infection using linked nucleic acid (LNA) antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs)designed to interfere both genes essential for translation of Ebola virus genes and to block production of an intracellular human protein needed for the virus to enter cells.

12 Oct 2018

'Vampire Burial' at ancient Roman site reveals attempts to prevent spread of malaria

The discovery of a 10-year-old's body at an ancient Roman site in Italy suggests measures were taken to prevent the child, possibly infected with malaria, from rising from the dead and spreading disease to the living.

12 Oct 2018

Scientists use haploid stem cells to produce mice with same-sex parents

In a new study, Chinese researchers were able to produce healthy mouse pups with two mothers. The research involved the use of haploid embryonic stem cells.

12 Oct 2018