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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).

Scientists use novel metagenomic approaches to characterize microbial communities that reside in human gut

The gut microbiota contains a vast number of microorganisms from all three domains of life, including bacteria, archaea and fungi, as well as viruses. These interact in a complex way to contribute towards both health and the development of disease - interactions that are only now being elucidated thanks to the application of advanced DNA sequencing technology in this field.

10 Mar 2014

New theory regarding cause and development of endometriosis

Changes to two previously unstudied genes are the centerpiece of a new theory regarding the cause and development of endometriosis, a chronic and painful disease affecting 1 in 10 women.

10 Mar 2014

Mutations in gene associated with leukaemia may affect growth, intellectual development in children

Mutations in a gene associated with leukaemia cause a newly described condition that affects growth and intellectual development in children, new research reports.

10 Mar 2014

People with type 2 diabetes have epigenetic changes on DNA

People with type 2 diabetes have epigenetic changes on their DNA that healthy individuals do not have. This has been shown in a major study by researchers at Lund University. The researchers also found epigenetic changes in a large number of genes that contribute to reduced insulin production.

9 Mar 2014

STSI releases Scripps Wellderly Genome Resource to explore genetic cause for certain illness

Scientists exploring the genetic causes of illnesses such as Alzheimer's disease, heart disease, cancer and diabetes now have a new tool - a reference DNA dataset built by researchers at Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI).

7 Mar 2014

Epigenetics has much to offer in future treatment and prevention of dental disease, says dentist

A visit to the dentist could one day require a detailed look at how genes in a patient's body are being switched on or off, as well as examining their pearly whites, according to researchers at the University of Adelaide.

7 Mar 2014

Study to understand how bisphenol-A may promote breast cancer growth

UT Arlington biochemists say their newly published study brings researchers a step closer to understanding how the commonly used synthetic compound bisphenol-A, or BPA, may promote breast cancer growth.

6 Mar 2014

New findings shed light on how gene mutation causes motor neurone disease

Researchers have discovered a mechanism that may explain how a recently discovered mutation causes two devastating neurological diseases.

6 Mar 2014

Safeguard Scientifics reports net income of $24 million for fourth quarter 2013

Safeguard Scientifics, Inc. today announced fourth quarter and full-year 2013 financial results. For the three months ended December 31, 2013, Safeguard's net income was $24.0 million, or $1.10 per share, compared to net loss of $10.8 million, or $0.51 per share for the same period in 2012. For the year ended December 31, 2013, Safeguard's net loss was $35.5 million, or $1.66 per share, compared to $39.4 million, or $1.88 per share for the same period in 2012.

6 Mar 2014

Researchers identify high-speed cellular transport mechanism

Our DNA and its architecture are duplicated every time our cells divide. Histone proteins are key building blocks of this architecture and contain crucial information that regulates our genes. Danish researchers show how an enzyme controls reliable and high-speed delivery of histones to DNA copying hubs in our cells. This shuttling mechanism is crucial to maintain normal function of our genes and prevent disease. The results are published in the journal Nature Communications.

6 Mar 2014

Scientists describes new advantageous way to detect different immune cells in the blood

When a person becomes sick or is exposed to an unwelcome substance, the body mobilizes specific proportions of different immune cells in the blood. Methods of discovering and detecting those profiles are therefore useful both clinically and in research. In a new paper in the journal Genome Biology, a team of scientists describes a new and uniquely advantageous way to detect them.

6 Mar 2014

New drug is effective against superbug MRSA

"I routinely call hospitals and request their yearly antibiotic susceptibility testing data," said Washington University in St. Louis' Timothy Wencewicz. "The log might say, for example, that they've treated hundreds of patients for Acinetobacter baumanni, a bacterium brought into U.S. hospitals by soldiers wounded in the Iraq war, with 30 different antibiotics.

6 Mar 2014

Scientists reveal how a genetic code variation results in devastating brain diseases

New findings reveal how a mutation, a change in the genetic code that causes neurodegeneration, alters the shape of DNA, making cells more vulnerable to stress and more likely to die.

6 Mar 2014

Low-dose oral interferon may reduce risk of HCV relapse in patients with mild liver fibrosis

Chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection can lead to serious diseases such as cirrhosis and cancer of the liver, so viral clearance and prevention of relapse are important treatment goals.

6 Mar 2014

Study to understand role of bacterium in heart valve disease

A disease-causing bacterium found in the mouth needs manganese, a trace mineral, in order to cause a serious heart infection, according to a preclinical study led by researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University Philips Institute for Oral Health Research in the School of Dentistry.

6 Mar 2014

Curie-Cancer, DNA Therapeutics renew partnership to identify new class of cancer drugs

Curie-Cancer, the body responsible for developing Institut Curie’s industry partnership activities, and DNA Therapeutics, a biopharmaceutical company that is developing a new class of cancer drugs, are renewing their partnership.

5 Mar 2014

Study highlights efficacy of TPF 50 to prevent skin sun damage and non-melanoma skin cancer

Journal of Drugs in Dermatology (JDD) today released a clinical study highlighting the efficacy of Triple Protection Factor Broad Spectrum Sunscreen, TPF 50, to prevent skin sun damage and Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer (NMSC).

5 Mar 2014

Set of genes appear to predict which tumors can evade detection by immune system

Johns Hopkins researchers say they have identified a set of genes that appear to predict which tumors can evade detection by the body's immune system, a step that may enable them to eventually target only the patients most likely to respond best to a new class of treatment.

5 Mar 2014

Medical diagnoses, DNA sequencing can be made faster through gel electrophoresis

Medical diagnoses and DNA sequencing can be made cheaper, faster and more reliable using a new miniaturized technique for gel electrophoresis based on conducting polymer materials, according to researchers at Link-ping University in Sweden.

5 Mar 2014

Researchers identify genes that appear to predict tumors that can evade detection by immune system

Johns Hopkins researchers say they have identified a set of genes that appear to predict which tumors can evade detection by the body’s immune system, a step that may enable them to eventually target only the patients most likely to respond best to a new class of treatment.

5 Mar 2014

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Scientists use novel metagenomic approaches to characterize microbial communities that reside in human gut

New theory regarding cause and development of endometriosis

Mutations in gene associated with leukaemia may affect growth, intellectual development in children

People with type 2 diabetes have epigenetic changes on DNA

STSI releases Scripps Wellderly Genome Resource to explore genetic cause for certain illness

Epigenetics has much to offer in future treatment and prevention of dental disease, says dentist

Study to understand how bisphenol-A may promote breast cancer growth

New findings shed light on how gene mutation causes motor neurone disease

Safeguard Scientifics reports net income of $24 million for fourth quarter 2013

Researchers identify high-speed cellular transport mechanism

Scientists describes new advantageous way to detect different immune cells in the blood

New drug is effective against superbug MRSA

Scientists reveal how a genetic code variation results in devastating brain diseases

Low-dose oral interferon may reduce risk of HCV relapse in patients with mild liver fibrosis

Study to understand role of bacterium in heart valve disease

Curie-Cancer, DNA Therapeutics renew partnership to identify new class of cancer drugs

Study highlights efficacy of TPF 50 to prevent skin sun damage and non-melanoma skin cancer

Set of genes appear to predict which tumors can evade detection by immune system

Medical diagnoses, DNA sequencing can be made faster through gel electrophoresis

Researchers identify genes that appear to predict tumors that can evade detection by immune system

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