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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).

Study illustrates how patient's genes can affect drug reaction and dosage

A new study out of Western University (London, Canada) illustrates the need for a lot more education around pharmacogenetics (PGx) -the study of how a patient's genes can affect drug reaction and dosage.

29 Apr 2014

Cell Therapeutics announces launch of PIXUVRI in the UK for treatment of aggressive B-cell NHL

Cell Therapeutics, Inc. today announced the launch of PIXUVRI (pixantrone), the first new treatment for adult patients in the United Kingdom (UK) with multiply relapsed or refractory aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (aggressive B-cell NHL), at the 54th annual scientific meeting of the British Society for Haematology.

29 Apr 2014

Scientists identify first gene linked to childhood-onset familial dilated cardiomyopathy

Scientists at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, along with collaborators at institutions in India, Italy, and Japan, have identified the first gene linked to childhood-onset familial dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), one of the most common heart muscle diseases in children.

29 Apr 2014

Researchers detect correlation between loss of Y chromosome and risk of cancer mortality

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29 Apr 2014

Study: Mutations could have major impact on treatment of human blood diseases

A study published today in Nature Genetics has revealed mutations that could have a major impact on the future diagnosis and treatment of many human diseases.

29 Apr 2014

BRCA gene loss may accelerate cancer-promoting chromosome rearrangements

Inherited mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 tumor suppressor genes are by far the most frequent contributors to hereditary cancer risk in the human population, often causing breast or ovarian cancer in young women of child-bearing age.

29 Apr 2014

Immunoregulatory genes modulate otitis media risk

Variation in genes involved in immunity influences children’s susceptibility to developing otitis media, according to research by a US team.

28 Apr 2014

Scientists use analysis of epigenetic marks on DNA to measure baby's development in womb

An international study, involving scientists at the University of Southampton, has used an analysis of epigenetic marks on DNA to measure how much a baby's development in the womb is determined by the genes inherited from the parents, as compared with the mother's nutrition, mental health and lifestyle.

28 Apr 2014

Cells are more resilient than originally thought, say scientists

New research shows that cells are more resilient in taking care of their DNA than scientists originally thought. Even when missing critical components, cells can adapt and make copies of their DNA in an alternative way.

26 Apr 2014

University of Michigan scientists uncover how cells block mutation-causing activity of junk DNA

There's a civil war going on inside every one of the 37 trillion cells in your body. Now, University of Michigan scientists have uncovered how your cells keep this war from causing too much collateral damage.

26 Apr 2014

FDA approves new HPV cervical cancer test

The first human papillomavirus DNA test to screen women for cervical cancer was approved Thursday by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The stand-alone test can be used to assess whether women need to undergo additional testing and their risk of developing cervical cancer in the future (Rice, 4/24).

26 Apr 2014

MGH investigators develop next-generation genome editing system

A next-generation genome editing system developed by Massachusetts General Hospital investigators substantially decreases the risk of producing unwanted, off-target gene mutations. In a paper receiving online publication in Nature Biotechnology, the researchers report a new CRISPR-based RNA-guided nuclease technology that uses two guide RNAs, significantly reducing the chance of cutting through DNA strands at mismatched sites.

26 Apr 2014

Junk DNA linked to heart failure, reveals Washington University study

Large sections of the genome that were once referred to as "junk" DNA have been linked to human heart failure, according to research from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

26 Apr 2014

Promising new approach targets cancer protein to slow tumor growth

Sometimes a full-on assault isn't the best approach when dealing with a powerful enemy. A more effective approach, in the long run, may be to target the support system replenishing the supplies that keep your foe strong and ready for battle.

26 Apr 2014

MIT researchers develop test that can rapidly assess DNA repair systems

Our DNA is under constant attack from many sources, including environmental pollutants, ultraviolet light, and radiation. Fortunately, cells have several major DNA repair systems that can fix this damage, which may lead to cancer and other diseases if not mended.

25 Apr 2014

Researchers develop gene therapy reversing memory loss in mice with early-stage Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's disease is the first cause of dementia and affects some 400,000 people in Spain alone. However, no effective cure has yet been found. One of the reasons for this is the lack of knowledge on the cellular mechanisms which cause alterations in nerve transmissions and the loss of memory in the initial stages of the disease.

25 Apr 2014

Research team discovers new water-soluble fluorescent system for early detection of cancer cells

A research team lead by Academy Professor Kari Rissanen at the University of Jyväskylä has discovered a new water-soluble fluorescent detection system that is extremely sensitive to pyrophosphate (PPi).

25 Apr 2014

Physical activity reduces hippocampal atrophy in elders at genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease

A study of older adults at increased risk for Alzheimer's disease shows that moderate physical activity may protect brain health and stave off shrinkage of the hippocampus- the brain region responsible for memory and spatial orientation that is attacked first in Alzheimer's disease.

25 Apr 2014

Noval neuroimaging technique enables detailed insights into mitochondria

Reactive oxygen species are important intracellular signaling molecules, but their mode of action is complex: In low concentrations they regulate key aspects of cellular function and behavior, while at high concentrations they can cause "oxidative stress", which damages organelles, membranes and DNA.

25 Apr 2014

Researchers use gold nanoparticles to detect, measure cancer levels in living cell

Purdue University researchers have developed a way to detect and measure cancer levels in a living cell by using tiny gold particles with tails of synthetic DNA.

25 Apr 2014

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Study illustrates how patient's genes can affect drug reaction and dosage

Cell Therapeutics announces launch of PIXUVRI in the UK for treatment of aggressive B-cell NHL

Scientists identify first gene linked to childhood-onset familial dilated cardiomyopathy

Researchers detect correlation between loss of Y chromosome and risk of cancer mortality

Study: Mutations could have major impact on treatment of human blood diseases

BRCA gene loss may accelerate cancer-promoting chromosome rearrangements

Immunoregulatory genes modulate otitis media risk

Scientists use analysis of epigenetic marks on DNA to measure baby's development in womb

Cells are more resilient than originally thought, say scientists

University of Michigan scientists uncover how cells block mutation-causing activity of junk DNA

FDA approves new HPV cervical cancer test

MGH investigators develop next-generation genome editing system

Junk DNA linked to heart failure, reveals Washington University study

Promising new approach targets cancer protein to slow tumor growth

MIT researchers develop test that can rapidly assess DNA repair systems

Researchers develop gene therapy reversing memory loss in mice with early-stage Alzheimer's

Research team discovers new water-soluble fluorescent system for early detection of cancer cells

Physical activity reduces hippocampal atrophy in elders at genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease

Noval neuroimaging technique enables detailed insights into mitochondria

Researchers use gold nanoparticles to detect, measure cancer levels in living cell

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