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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).

Researchers study health consequences of RTE proliferation that occurs in aging tissues

The genomes of organisms from humans to corn are replete with "parasitic" strands of DNA that, when not suppressed, copy themselves and spread throughout the genome, potentially affecting health. Earlier this year Brown University researchers found that these "retrotransposable elements" were increasingly able to break free of the genome's control in cultures of human cells.

27 Dec 2013

Scientists find inhibiting action of BRD4 protein may eradicate rare type of soft-tissue cancer

A deadly, rare type of soft-tissue cancer may be completely eradicated simply by inhibiting a key protein involved in its growth, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers report.

27 Dec 2013

Magnetic nanoparticles-based method uses saliva to screen DNA polymorphism in stroke patients

C677T polymorphism in the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene is a risk factor for stroke. Studies have report a higher C677T homozygosity frequency in Chinese than in Europeans. Usually, the detection of genetic diseases is rather complicated on a large scale owing to the invasive sampling and a cumbersome DNA extraction process.

27 Dec 2013

Activation of protein P300 plays central role in DNA repair in hippocampal neurons

Various medications have been developed to treat neurodegenerative disorders, and drugs without significant side effects are gaining widespread interest such disorders.

27 Dec 2013

Researchers uncover new genetic clue that contributes to increased risk of type 2 diabetes

An international team of researchers in Mexico and the United States has uncovered a new genetic clue that contributes to an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, particularly the elevated risk among Mexican and other Latin American populations.

26 Dec 2013

Fluidigm announces universal sample prep workflow for single-cell DNA sequencing

Fluidigm Corporation today announced a universal sample prep workflow for single-cell DNA sequencing that runs on its C1TM Single-Cell Auto Prep System. This workflow streamlines targeted, whole exome and whole genome sequencing in heterogeneous cell populations and enables researchers to discover and screen somatic mutations, such as SNP, small indels, and translocations.

24 Dec 2013

Researchers report new gene delivery method that targets tumor blood vessels

Working in mice, researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis report developing a gene delivery method long sought in the field of gene therapy: a deactivated virus carrying a gene of interest that can be injected into the bloodstream and make its way to the right cells.

24 Dec 2013

Variation in oxytocin receptor gene influences face recognition skills, study finds

New findings suggest the oxytocin receptor, a gene known to influence mother-infant bonding and pair bonding in monogamous species, also plays a special role in the ability to remember faces. This research has important implications for disorders in which social information processing is disrupted, including autism spectrum disorder. In addition, the finding may lead to new strategies for improving social cognition in several psychiatric disorders.

24 Dec 2013

Genetic screening identifies genes driving resistance with guide RNA library

Researchers have developed a method to create a comprehensive library of mutations across all genes in the mouse genome. This library can be used to examine the role of every gene in different cell types.

23 Dec 2013

Manipulating epigenetic mechanism may promote cell death in pediatric brain cancer

Researchers at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, the university hospital (Hospital de Cl-nicas de Porto Alegre, HCPA) and the Children's Cancer Institute (Instituto do C-ncer Infantil do Rio Grande do Sul, ICI-RS) in Porto Alegre, Brazil, have shown that manipulating an epigenetic mechanism, which regulates gene expression, may promote cell death and favor maturation towards less malignant-prone phenotypes in pediatric brain cancer cell lines.

22 Dec 2013

Six common diseases arise from DNA changes, finds new research

Many rare disorders are caused by gene mutation, like sickle cell anemia. Yet until now the underlying genetic cause of more common conditions - for example, rheumatoid arthritis - has evaded scientists for years.

22 Dec 2013

Intrexon enters into definitive agreement to acquire Medistem

Intrexon Corporation, a leader in synthetic biology, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire, for approximately $26 million, San Diego-based Medistem, Inc. a pioneer in the development of Endometrial Regenerative Cells, universal donor adult stem cells that stimulate new blood vessel formation and are capable of generating different tissues including heart, brain, pancreas, liver, bone, cartilage and lung.

21 Dec 2013

Researchers develop diagnostic nanomachine to screen diseases that have genetic basis

As part of an international research project, a team of researchers has developed a DNA clamp that can detect mutations at the DNA level with greater efficiency than methods currently in use. Their work could facilitate rapid screening of those diseases that have a genetic basis, such as cancer, and provide new tools for more advanced nanotechnology. The results of this research is published this month in the journal ACS Nano.

20 Dec 2013

Researchers receive Doris Duke Foundation award to predict sickle cell crisis, monitor treatments

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have received a $486,000 Doris Duke Foundation award to discover how to predict when sickle cell disease patients will suffer an acute crisis and monitor the effectiveness of treatments.

20 Dec 2013

Researchers map cell's complex genetic interactions to fix UV damaged DNA

Researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, with colleagues in The Netherlands and United Kingdom, have produced the first map detailing the network of genetic interactions underlying the cellular response to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

19 Dec 2013

Merck and CNIO sign agreement to collaborate in area of cancer drug development

The Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) and the German chemical and pharmaceutical company Merck today signed an agreement in Madrid to collaborate in the area of cancer drug development.

19 Dec 2013

Computer-controlled, rotating table could deliver high doses of radiotherapy to tumors, spare vulnerable organs

Swivelling patients around on a computer-controlled, rotating table could deliver high doses of radiotherapy to tumours more quickly than current methods, while sparing vulnerable organs such as the heart, brain, eyes and bowel.

19 Dec 2013

Study reveals why people are predisposed to cardiovascular disease and death

A genetic trait known to make some people especially sensitive to stress also appears to be responsible for a 38 percent increased risk of heart attack or death in patients with heart disease, scientists at Duke Medicine report.

19 Dec 2013

Researchers discover series of compounds possessing anti-HIV activity

University of Minnesota researchers have discovered a first-of-its-kind series of compounds possessing anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) activity. The compounds present a new target for potential HIV drug development and future treatment options.

18 Dec 2013

TGen, Nemucore, and Barrow collaboration aims for new drugs to treat glioblastoma

The Ben & Catherine Ivy Foundation today announced a $3 million grant to the Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), Nemucore Medical Innovations Inc., and Barrow Neurological Institute at St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center to help fund significant brain tumor research in Arizona.

18 Dec 2013

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Researchers study health consequences of RTE proliferation that occurs in aging tissues

Scientists find inhibiting action of BRD4 protein may eradicate rare type of soft-tissue cancer

Magnetic nanoparticles-based method uses saliva to screen DNA polymorphism in stroke patients

Activation of protein P300 plays central role in DNA repair in hippocampal neurons

Researchers uncover new genetic clue that contributes to increased risk of type 2 diabetes

Fluidigm announces universal sample prep workflow for single-cell DNA sequencing

Researchers report new gene delivery method that targets tumor blood vessels

Variation in oxytocin receptor gene influences face recognition skills, study finds

Genetic screening identifies genes driving resistance with guide RNA library

Manipulating epigenetic mechanism may promote cell death in pediatric brain cancer

Six common diseases arise from DNA changes, finds new research

Intrexon enters into definitive agreement to acquire Medistem

Researchers develop diagnostic nanomachine to screen diseases that have genetic basis

Researchers receive Doris Duke Foundation award to predict sickle cell crisis, monitor treatments

Researchers map cell's complex genetic interactions to fix UV damaged DNA

Merck and CNIO sign agreement to collaborate in area of cancer drug development

Computer-controlled, rotating table could deliver high doses of radiotherapy to tumors, spare vulnerable organs

Study reveals why people are predisposed to cardiovascular disease and death

Researchers discover series of compounds possessing anti-HIV activity

TGen, Nemucore, and Barrow collaboration aims for new drugs to treat glioblastoma

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