DNA News and Research

RSS

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).

Environmental factors equally as important as genes in understanding causes of autism

Environmental factors are more important than previously thought in understanding the causes of autism, and equally as important as genes, according to the largest study to date to look at how autism runs in families.

5 May 2014

Puzzle in breast cancer solved

In a new study published in Cell Reports, scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center demonstrate that mice lacking one copy of a gene called CTCF have abnormal DNA methylation and are markedly predisposed to cancer.

5 May 2014

Research: Novel therapeutic approach to overcome chemoresistance in ovarian cancer

Inhibiting enzymes that cause changes in gene expression could decrease chemotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer patients, researchers at Georgia State University and the University of Georgia say.

5 May 2014

DNA 'sat nav' allows direct access to homes of ancestors alive 1,000 years ago

Tracing where your DNA was formed over 1,000 years ago is now possible due to a revolutionary technique developed by a team of international scientists led by experts from the University of Sheffield.

2 May 2014

Johns Hopkins biochemists figure out HIV-fighting activity of enzyme

Johns Hopkins biochemists have figured out what is needed to activate and sustain the virus-fighting activity of an enzyme found in CD4+ T cells, the human immune cells infected by HIV. The discovery could launch a more effective strategy for preventing the spread of HIV in the body with drugs targeting this enzyme, they say.

2 May 2014

No increased HPV-linked oral cancer risk for long-term partners, says study

Partners of patients diagnosed with human papilloma virus (HPV)-positive oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) were no more likely to test positive for oral HPV infection than people in the general population, according to a study published in the April 28 online edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

2 May 2014

Virginia researchers develop new combination therapy that could potentially treat multiple myeloma

Each year, more than 25,000 Americans are diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer that often develops resistance to therapies.

2 May 2014

Biotech to the rescue

MIT professor Ram Sasisekharan's three biotech companies — Momenta Pharmaceuticals, Cerulean Pharma, and Visterra — share a similar goal.

1 May 2014

Salon nail dryers may pose cancer risk

People who regularly have their nails dried by UV lamps after a manicure may benefit from wearing sun block during the procedure to protect against any risk for cancer, say researchers.

1 May 2014

Enrichment of highly abundant epigenetic marks from endometrial stromal cells

Chromatrap®, the novel solid-based matrix for chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays, available from Porvair Sciences, has been successfully used to isolate high quality chromatin from difficult biopsy material.

From Chromatrap® - Porvair Sciences Ltd 30 Apr 2014

InDevR, Applied Microarrays partner to offer complete system solution for multiplexed assays

InDevR Inc., a Boulder-based biotechnology company, and Applied Microarrays, Inc., a Tempe-based contract microarray manufacturer have partnered to deliver a complete system solution for multiplexed assays. The platform includes custom protein and DNA arrays, reagents and protocols, a fluorescent scanner for slides or plates (Vidia) and a colorimetric scanner for lower throughput applications (ampliPHOX).

30 Apr 2014

Researchers create tiny, biodegradable nanoparticles that carry DNA to brain cancer cells

Working together, Johns Hopkins biomedical engineers and neurosurgeons report that they have created tiny, biodegradable “nanoparticles” able to carry DNA to brain cancer cells in mice.

30 Apr 2014

Decker Foundation gift helps Binghamton University to establish lab for improving health outcomes

A gift from the Dr. G. Clifford & Florence B. Decker Foundation will enable Binghamton University biologists and their colleagues to conduct tests and research that will improve health outcomes for patients in Southern Tier hospitals with conditions ranging from ear infections to cancer.

30 Apr 2014

Researchers develop tool to identify biogeography of worldwide individuals

Biogeographical data is useful in screening for disease risk and drug sensitivity associated with certain ethnic groups. A team of researchers, including an investigator from Children's Hospital Los Angeles, has developed a tool to accurately identify the biogeography of worldwide individuals. Previous tools were accurate in identifying place of origin within homogeneous European populations but highly inaccurate for places with significant immigration, such as the U.S.

30 Apr 2014

Mother's diet before conception can permanently affect how her child's genes function

A mother's diet before conception can permanently affect how her child's genes function, according to a study published in Nature Communications.

30 Apr 2014

3D shape of leukemia cell's genome holds key to solving puzzle of human diseases

To solve a puzzle, you need to recognize shapes, patterns and a particular kind of order. In much the same way, researchers at McGill University have discovered that the 3D shape of a leukemia cell's genome holds a key to solving the puzzle of human diseases. The researchers report their findings in the open access journal Genome Biology.

30 Apr 2014

Researchers develop new strategy to personalised medicine in advanced cancer patients

Tumour cells can accumulate hundreds or even thousands of DNA mutations which induce the growth and spread of cancer. The number and pattern of mutations differs according to the type of tumour, even among those that are classified as part of the same type of tumours.

30 Apr 2014

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Environmental factors equally as important as genes in understanding causes of autism

Puzzle in breast cancer solved

Research: Novel therapeutic approach to overcome chemoresistance in ovarian cancer

DNA 'sat nav' allows direct access to homes of ancestors alive 1,000 years ago

Johns Hopkins biochemists figure out HIV-fighting activity of enzyme

No increased HPV-linked oral cancer risk for long-term partners, says study

Virginia researchers develop new combination therapy that could potentially treat multiple myeloma

Biotech to the rescue

Salon nail dryers may pose cancer risk

Enrichment of highly abundant epigenetic marks from endometrial stromal cells

InDevR, Applied Microarrays partner to offer complete system solution for multiplexed assays

Researchers create tiny, biodegradable nanoparticles that carry DNA to brain cancer cells

Decker Foundation gift helps Binghamton University to establish lab for improving health outcomes

Researchers develop tool to identify biogeography of worldwide individuals

Mother's diet before conception can permanently affect how her child's genes function

3D shape of leukemia cell's genome holds key to solving puzzle of human diseases

Researchers develop new strategy to personalised medicine in advanced cancer patients

Higher calcium intake appears to mitigate impact of some of the risk genes for type 2 diabetes

Illumina launches VeriSeq PGS for preimplantation genetic screening of embryos

Study: Genetics as well as environment in womb play important roles in development of baby

Understanding the DNA Damage Response in Innate Immunity eBook

Latest eBooks

Industry Focus eBook - Analytical Chemistry (3rd edition)

Industry Focus eBook - Microbiome (1st edition)

Industry Focus eBook - Cell biology (5th edition)

Advancing degrader and proximity-based drug development

Designing fluidic architecture for scalable diagnostic platforms

Evaluating new approaches for rare disease genomics

Expanding access to NMR with the Fourier 80 Duo