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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).

Defects in mitochondria play key role in transition of normal cells to cancerous cells

Cancer cells defy the rules by which normal cells abide. They can divide without cease, invade distant tissues and consume glucose at abnormal rates.

9 Jul 2015

Vanderbilt investigators develop potential antibody treatments against chikungunya

In late 2013 the Caribbean had its first case of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus. Today there have been almost 1.2 million cases in 44 countries or territories, including 177 cases in 31 U.S. States. Vanderbilt University Medical Center's James Crowe, M.D., Ann Scott Carell Professor and director of the Vanderbilt Vaccine Center, and his team are reporting the first large panel of antibody treatments against this disease in the current issue of Cell Host and Microbe.

9 Jul 2015

Research examines reasons behind variation in prescription practices of antidepressants across Europe

Public attitudes towards mental illness and levels of healthcare spending may explain the huge variation in antidepressant use across Europe, according to a new study by researchers from the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King's College London.

9 Jul 2015

Study aims to determine utility of Trovagene's PCM technology for predicting response to cancer immunotherapy

Trovagene, Inc., a developer of cell-free molecular diagnostics, today announced the launch of a study that aims to determine utility of the Company's Precision Cancer Monitoring (PCM) technology for predicting response to treatment in advanced melanoma patients receiving one or a combination of the novel immunotherapy agents Yervoy (ipilumumab), a CTLA-4 inhibitor, and Opdivo (nivolumab), a PD-1 inhibitor.

8 Jul 2015

SISSA scientists create synthetic enzymes that can differentiate between active and inactive genes

Certain genetic diseases arise from a deficit of specific genes. An enzyme that amplifies gene transcription could be a viable therapy in these cases, as long as genes are not stimulated to work on the wrong part of the body. SISSA scientists have created synthetic "intelligent" enzymes which are able to differentiate between active and inactive genes and selectively stimulate the former ones.

8 Jul 2015

Researchers identify link between hormonal factors and endometrial cancer risk among women with Lynch syndrome

For women with Lynch syndrome, an association was found between the risk of endometrial cancer and the age of first menstrual cycle, having given birth, and hormonal contraceptive use, according to a study in the July 7 issue of JAMA. Lynch syndrome is a genetic condition that increases the risk for various cancers.

8 Jul 2015

Tests reveal that FY26 cancer drug is 49 times more potent than Cisplatin drug

Tests have shown that a new cancer drug, FY26, is 49 times more potent than the clinically used treatment Cisplatin.

7 Jul 2015

Discovery could pave way to new treatments for malaria

Scientists have discovered new ways in which the malaria parasite survives in the blood stream of its victims, a discovery that could pave the way to new treatments for the disease.

7 Jul 2015

New research shows that risk of cardiovascular disease and early death falls due to vitamin C

New research from the University of Copenhagen and Herlev and Gentofte Hospital shows that high vitamin C concentrations in the blood from the intake of fruit and vegetables are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and early death.

7 Jul 2015

LSD1 enzyme turns off genes needed to maintain cancer stem cell properties in glioblastoma

Cancer's ability to grow unchecked is often attributed to cancer stem cells, a small fraction of cancer cells that have the capacity to grow and multiply indefinitely. How cancer stem cells retain this property while the bulk of a tumor's cells do not remains largely unknown. Using human tumor samples and mouse models, researchers at University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center discovered that cancer stem cell properties are determined by epigenetic changes -- chemical modifications cells use to control which genes are turned on or off.

7 Jul 2015

Bacterial biofilms play role in development of systemic lupus erythematosus

Lupus, multiple sclerosis, and type-1 diabetes are among more than a score of diseases in which the immune system attacks the body it was designed to defend. But just why the immune system begins its misdirected assault has remained a mystery.

7 Jul 2015

WPI-led study provides clues to new ways to treat difficult-to-cure fungal infections

A study by a multidisciplinary research team, co-directed by Worcester Polytechnic Institute, offers new insights into how virulent fungi adapt through genetic modifications to fight back against the effects of medication designed to block their spread, and how that battle leaves them temporarily weakened. These insights may provide clues to new ways to treat notoriously difficult-to-cure fungal infections like thrush and vaginitis.

7 Jul 2015

Penn biologists reveal recent migratory history of blacklegged ticks in Northeastern United States

Lyme disease cases are on the rise, with diagnoses occurring in areas that were historically Lyme-free. Scientists attribute the spread to the fact that populations of blacklegged ticks, which carry the bacteria that causes the disease, now flourish in areas once thought to be devoid of ticks.

7 Jul 2015

Extra set of guanines in DNA may function like 'spare' to help prevent cancers from developing

Carrying around a spare tire is a good thing -- you never know when you'll get a flat. Turns out we're all carrying around "spare tires" in our genomes, too. Today, in ACS Central Science, researchers report that an extra set of guanines (or "G"s) in our DNA may function just like a "spare" to help prevent many cancers from developing.

7 Jul 2015

Study could provide paradigm shift in treatment of age-related disease, cancer

Intermittent dosing with rapamycin selectively breaks the cascade of inflammatory events that follow cellular senescence, a phenomena in which cells cease to divide in response to DNA damaging agents, including many chemotherapies.

7 Jul 2015

Unique diagnostic test could help detect world's deadliest superbugs, infectious diseases

Infectious diseases such as hepatitis C and some of the world's deadliest superbugs--C. difficile and MRSA among them--could soon be detected much earlier by a unique diagnostic test, designed to easily and quickly identify dangerous pathogens.

7 Jul 2015

New therapeutic alternative found for children suffering from Ewing's sarcoma

A research consortium made up of the Virgen del Rocio hospital in Seville, Sant Joan de Deu and the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute in Barcelona, has found a new therapeutic alternative for children who suffer from a malignant pediatric tumor bone and soft tissue called Ewing's sarcoma.

7 Jul 2015

Researchers receive 2.6 million euros to study evolution of sexual reproduction in plants

A European and US consortium coordinated by Jorg Becker, group leader at the Instituto Gulbenkian de Ciencia (IGC; Portugal), has now received funding of 2.6 million euros for 3 years to study the evolution of sexual reproduction in plants. The project is funded under the scope of ERA-CAPS, a European network dedicated to support research activities in Plant Sciences.

3 Jul 2015

Researchers compare effectiveness of two stem cell types in treating retinal degeneration

By growing two types of stem cells in a "3-D culture" and measuring their ability to produce retinal cells, a team lead by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital researchers has found one cell type to be better at producing retinal cells.

3 Jul 2015

Gene therapy improves lung function in patients with cystic fibrosis

Gene therapy was shown to provide significant benefits for patients with cystic fibrosis in a recent clinical study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal.

3 Jul 2015

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Defects in mitochondria play key role in transition of normal cells to cancerous cells

Vanderbilt investigators develop potential antibody treatments against chikungunya

Research examines reasons behind variation in prescription practices of antidepressants across Europe

Study aims to determine utility of Trovagene's PCM technology for predicting response to cancer immunotherapy

SISSA scientists create synthetic enzymes that can differentiate between active and inactive genes

Researchers identify link between hormonal factors and endometrial cancer risk among women with Lynch syndrome

Tests reveal that FY26 cancer drug is 49 times more potent than Cisplatin drug

Discovery could pave way to new treatments for malaria

New research shows that risk of cardiovascular disease and early death falls due to vitamin C

LSD1 enzyme turns off genes needed to maintain cancer stem cell properties in glioblastoma

Bacterial biofilms play role in development of systemic lupus erythematosus

WPI-led study provides clues to new ways to treat difficult-to-cure fungal infections

Penn biologists reveal recent migratory history of blacklegged ticks in Northeastern United States

Extra set of guanines in DNA may function like 'spare' to help prevent cancers from developing

Study could provide paradigm shift in treatment of age-related disease, cancer

Unique diagnostic test could help detect world's deadliest superbugs, infectious diseases

New therapeutic alternative found for children suffering from Ewing's sarcoma

Researchers receive 2.6 million euros to study evolution of sexual reproduction in plants

Researchers compare effectiveness of two stem cell types in treating retinal degeneration

Gene therapy improves lung function in patients with cystic fibrosis

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