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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).

Blood telomeres can help predict risk of disease worsening or death in COPD patients

Some patients with COPD demonstrate signs of accelerated aging. In a new study published in the journal CHEST researchers report that measuring blood telomeres, a marker of aging of cells, can be used to predict future risk of the disease worsening or death.

12 Jul 2018

New study identifies inherited genetic variants that raise risk of clonal hematopoiesis

A new study led by researchers at Harvard Medical School and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has identified some of the first known inherited genetic variants that significantly raise a person's likelihood of developing clonal hematopoiesis, an age-related white blood cell condition linked with higher risk of certain blood cancers and cardiovascular disease.

12 Jul 2018

Attempts to reunite separated families should not misuse medical tests, says ACP

In a new policy issued today, the American College of Physicians (ACP) stated that immigrant families who have been separated at the border should be reunited as expeditiously as possible.

12 Jul 2018

New findings refine link between clonal hematopoiesis and blood cancer risk

It's a common occurrence in elderly people: Blood cells carrying mutated DNA explosively increase in number, resulting in genetic "mosaicism": the presence of a population of cells that carries an altered genome.

12 Jul 2018

Study suggests database analysis better predicts toxicity of chemicals than animal testing

Advanced algorithms working from large chemical databases can predict a new chemical's toxicity better than standard animal tests, suggests a study led by scientists at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

12 Jul 2018

Growing pains in CRISPR gene editing

In the six years since its inception, CRISPR gene editing has experienced ups and downs, from giddy excitement over the technology's potential to cure genetic diseases to patent disputes, ethical considerations and cancer scares.

12 Jul 2018

Novel informatics tool helps predict genomic features associated with specific drug responses

The rise of genomics, the shift from considering genes singly to collectively, is adding a new dimension to medical care; biomedical researchers hope to use the information contained in human genomes to make better predictions about individual health, including responses to therapeutic drugs.

12 Jul 2018

Gut health linked to cardiovascular fitness

It turns out that exercise can do more than slim down your waistline and boost heart health. It might also make what's inside your gut healthier, according to a new study by San Francisco State University.

11 Jul 2018

New lab-on-a-chip technology could soon help detect fetal genetic abnormalities in early pregnancy

Biomedical engineers Dr Marnie Winter and Professor Benjamin Thierry from UniSA's Future Industries Institute and the ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio-Nano Science and Technology are part of a team of researchers who have isolated fetal cells from maternal blood using a tiny microfluidic device, allowing for improved genetic testing.

11 Jul 2018

Researchers discover why CRISPR gene editing sometimes fails

A study has explained for the first time why the CRISPR gene editing tool fails to work in 15% cases, and has suggested methods to prevent this.

11 Jul 2018

Study elucidates pathophysiology of systemic lupus erythematosus

Osaka University researchers elucidated the pathophysiology of systemic lupus erythematosus, an autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation and tissue damage.

11 Jul 2018

New approach sheds light on effects of drugs on cancer cells

A new approach established at the University of Zurich sheds light on the effects of anti-cancer drugs and the defense mechanisms of cancer cells.

11 Jul 2018

Researchers attempt to create better diagnostic test for radiation exposure

Researchers at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix are attempting to create a better diagnostic test for radiation exposure that potentially could save thousands of lives.

11 Jul 2018

Researchers reveal why CRISPR gene editing sometimes fails to work

Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago are the first to describe why CRISPR gene editing sometimes fails to work, and how the process can be made to be much more efficient.

11 Jul 2018

Researchers find ATM protein that can trigger production of antioxidants

One reason we're supposed to eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables is because they contain nutritious compounds called antioxidants.

11 Jul 2018

Researchers develop 3D map of gene interactions that play key role in heart disease

Researchers have developed a 3D map of the gene interactions that play a key role in cardiovascular disease, a study in eLife reports.

11 Jul 2018

New biosensor chip detects single nucleotide polymorphism in real time with high sensitivity

A team led by the University of California San Diego has developed a chip that can detect a type of genetic mutation known as a single nucleotide polymorphism and send the results in real time to a smartphone, computer, or other electronic device.

10 Jul 2018

Researchers develop new method to identify genes contributing to heritable cancer risk

Researchers at the Centre for Genomic Regulation in Barcelona developed a new method to systematically identify genes contributing to heritable cancer risk.

10 Jul 2018

Study: Mitochondrial DNA in nanovesicles is the alarm that activates antiviral genetic program

Researchers at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares Carlos III have provided valuable information about the defense mechanisms of the immune system during the early stages of the response to pathogens such as viruses and bacteria.

10 Jul 2018

Can insurers use genetic testing results? A reader wants to know

This week, I answer questions from readers concerned about health insurance roadblocks in the face of a serious illness or medical crisis.

10 Jul 2018

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Blood telomeres can help predict risk of disease worsening or death in COPD patients

New study identifies inherited genetic variants that raise risk of clonal hematopoiesis

Attempts to reunite separated families should not misuse medical tests, says ACP

New findings refine link between clonal hematopoiesis and blood cancer risk

Study suggests database analysis better predicts toxicity of chemicals than animal testing

Growing pains in CRISPR gene editing

Novel informatics tool helps predict genomic features associated with specific drug responses

Gut health linked to cardiovascular fitness

New lab-on-a-chip technology could soon help detect fetal genetic abnormalities in early pregnancy

Researchers discover why CRISPR gene editing sometimes fails

Study elucidates pathophysiology of systemic lupus erythematosus

New approach sheds light on effects of drugs on cancer cells

Researchers attempt to create better diagnostic test for radiation exposure

Researchers reveal why CRISPR gene editing sometimes fails to work

Researchers find ATM protein that can trigger production of antioxidants

Researchers develop 3D map of gene interactions that play key role in heart disease

New biosensor chip detects single nucleotide polymorphism in real time with high sensitivity

Researchers develop new method to identify genes contributing to heritable cancer risk

Study: Mitochondrial DNA in nanovesicles is the alarm that activates antiviral genetic program

Can insurers use genetic testing results? A reader wants to know

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