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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).

DNA-binding protein acts like genetic traffic signal to orchestrate early stage embryonic development

New research by UC San Francisco stem cell biologists has revealed that a DNA-binding protein called Foxd3 acts like a genetic traffic signal, holding that ball of undifferentiated cells in a state of readiness for its great transformation in the third week of development.

11 Jan 2016

U-M research could lead to new ways of fighting X-linked diseases in girls and women

Nearly every girl and woman on Earth carries two X chromosomes in nearly every one of her cells -- but one of them does (mostly) nothing. That's because it's been silenced, keeping most of its DNA locked up and unread like a book in a cage.

11 Jan 2016

Salk Institute scientists find new target for glioblastoma multiforme treatment

Glioblastoma multiforme is a particularly deadly cancer. A person diagnosed with this type of brain tumor typically survives 15 months, if given the best care. The late Senator Ted Kennedy succumbed to this disease in just over a year.

11 Jan 2016

New gene editing technique could hinder retinal degeneration in rats with inherited blindness

A new technique that has the potential to treat inherited diseases by removing genetic defects has been shown for the first time to hinder retinal degeneration in rats with a type of inherited blindness, according to a Cedars-Sinai study.

11 Jan 2016

Auranofin drug could improve prognosis for ovarian cancer patients exhibiting BRCA1 deficiency

An anti-rheumatic drug could improve the prognosis for ovarian cancer patients exhibiting a deficiency of the DNA repair protein BRCA1, a study suggests.

11 Jan 2016

Small differences in specific genetic variant could alter nicotine consumption

Nicotine is an addictive substance and genetic factors are known to play a role in smoking behaviors. Recently, a team of researchers at Penn State and the University of Colorado determined how small differences in a particular region of the mouse genome can alter nicotine consumption.

11 Jan 2016

Having more kids may lead to slower rate of aging

A study by Simon Fraser University researchers suggests that the number of children born to a woman influences the rate at which her body ages.

11 Jan 2016

NUS-led study discovers potential therapeutic approach against colorectal cancer

A study led by researchers from the Cancer Science Institute of Singapore (CSI Singapore) at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has demonstrated the efficiency of a small molecule drug, PRIMA-1met, in inhibiting the growth of colorectal cancer cells. Colorectal cancer is the cancer of the large intestine (colon and rectum) and is the most common cancer in Singapore.

11 Jan 2016

Anthony Nolan introduces new tissue typing method that could revolutionise stem cell transplantation

Anthony Nolan has today launched a new tissue typing method that could significantly improve stem cell transplant outcomes.

8 Jan 2016

Biocept introduces blood-based test for detection, monitoring of prostate cancer and breast cancer

Biocept, Inc., a molecular diagnostics company commercializing and developing biomarkers to improve the detection and treatment of cancer, announces the launch of the CLIA-validated androgen receptor expression assay using a patient's blood for the detection and monitoring of late-stage prostate cancer and a certain form of breast cancer.

7 Jan 2016

DNA damage may lead to mutation and changes in cell

A team of researchers from Colorado State University has been studying DNA damage in living cells to learn more about how genetic abnormalities arise. It has long been known that DNA molecules in every cell get constantly damaged by things from the outside environment, like sunlight, cigarette smoke and radiation. However, more recently researchers have discovered that sources from within the cell itself can sometimes be even more damaging.

7 Jan 2016

Leading researchers reject proposed link between adeno-associated virus 2 and hepatocellular carcinoma

The conclusion drawn from a recent study that insertion of adeno-associated virus 2 (AAV2) into human DNA causes mutations leading to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) was resoundingly rejected by leading researchers in the fields of gene therapy and molecular genetics.

7 Jan 2016

Discovery may pave way for more effective treatments for pandemics, seasonal flu

Scientists at Imperial College London have discovered how flu viruses 'hijack' cell machinery when they infect the body. The findings, published in the journal Nature, may pave the way for more effective antiviral treatments for pandemics and for seasonal flu, which infects over 800 million people worldwide every year.

7 Jan 2016

UNC researchers uncover new potential strategy to kill cancerous cells in the brain

Rapidly dividing cells rely on an enzyme called Dicer to help them repair the DNA damage that occurs as they make mistakes in copying their genetic material over and over for new cells. UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers have built on the discovery of Dicer's role in fixing DNA damage to uncover a new potential strategy to kill rapidly dividing, cancerous cells in the brain.

6 Jan 2016

Researchers identify mechanism that allows cancer cells to grow rapidly when blood sugar levels rise

Researchers have identified a mechanism that allows cancer cells to respond and grow rapidly when levels of sugar in the blood rise. This may help to explain why people who develop conditions in which they have chronically high sugar levels in their blood, such as obesity, also have an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer.

6 Jan 2016

Genetic mutation in starlings could shed light on mitochondrial disease in humans

Deakin University and UNSW Australia researchers have made a rare observation of rapid evolution in action in the wild, documenting the spread of a newly arisen genetic mutation in invasive starlings, which could shed light on mitochondrial disease in humans.

6 Jan 2016

Exercise training could be a new treatment for prostate cancer

A newly-launched Cancer Research UK study could be the first step towards exercise training being introduced as a new NHS treatment for prostate cancer.

6 Jan 2016

New report raises questions about potential risks of chromium therapies

Chromium supplements are widely consumed for their antidiabetic activity as chromium(III) enhances the insulin sensitivity of cells. In particular, orthomolecular practitioners believe in the beneficial effects of providing the body with extra amounts of essential trace elements.

6 Jan 2016

Epigenetics in Drug Discovery

Chromatrap®, a business unit of Porvair Sciences, has announced that it will be the Lead Sponsor at the prestigious “Epigenetics in Drug Discovery” conference to be held in Cambridge, UK from 26th-27th January 2016.

From Chromatrap® - Porvair Sciences Ltd 5 Jan 2016

Bayer to present new research findings on Xofigo (radium Ra 223 dichloride) injection at ASCO GU 2016

Bayer announced today that new research findings on Xofigo (radium Ra 223 dichloride) injection will be presented at the 2016 Genitourinary Cancers Symposium of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO GU) taking place January 7 – 9 in San Francisco.

4 Jan 2016

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

DNA-binding protein acts like genetic traffic signal to orchestrate early stage embryonic development

U-M research could lead to new ways of fighting X-linked diseases in girls and women

Salk Institute scientists find new target for glioblastoma multiforme treatment

New gene editing technique could hinder retinal degeneration in rats with inherited blindness

Auranofin drug could improve prognosis for ovarian cancer patients exhibiting BRCA1 deficiency

Small differences in specific genetic variant could alter nicotine consumption

Having more kids may lead to slower rate of aging

NUS-led study discovers potential therapeutic approach against colorectal cancer

Anthony Nolan introduces new tissue typing method that could revolutionise stem cell transplantation

Biocept introduces blood-based test for detection, monitoring of prostate cancer and breast cancer

DNA damage may lead to mutation and changes in cell

Leading researchers reject proposed link between adeno-associated virus 2 and hepatocellular carcinoma

Discovery may pave way for more effective treatments for pandemics, seasonal flu

UNC researchers uncover new potential strategy to kill cancerous cells in the brain

Researchers identify mechanism that allows cancer cells to grow rapidly when blood sugar levels rise

Genetic mutation in starlings could shed light on mitochondrial disease in humans

Exercise training could be a new treatment for prostate cancer

New report raises questions about potential risks of chromium therapies

Epigenetics in Drug Discovery

Bayer to present new research findings on Xofigo (radium Ra 223 dichloride) injection at ASCO GU 2016

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