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).

New report explains occurrence of breast cancer in women with normal BRCA genes

Since 1994, many thousands of women with breast cancer from families severely affected with the disease have been tested for inherited mutations in BRCA1 and BRCA2. The vast majority of those patients were told that their gene sequences were normal.

25 Oct 2013

Scientists identify link between rare mutations in RINT1 gene and early onset breast cancer risk

An international team of scientists has identified an association between heritable, rare mutations in the RINT1 gene and increased risk of early onset breast cancer, according to research reported today (Oct. 24) at the American Society of Human Genetics 2013 annual meeting in Boston.

25 Oct 2013

Researchers discover novel genetic cause of severe obesity

Researchers from the University of Cambridge have discovered a novel genetic cause of severe obesity which, although relatively rare, demonstrates for the first time that genes can reduce basal metabolic rate - how the body burns calories.

25 Oct 2013

Scientists find disparities in regulation of transposons between humans and non-human primate cells

Researchers at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies have, for the first time, taken chimpanzee and bonobo skin cells and turned them into induced pluripotent stem cells, a type of cell that has the ability to form any other cell or tissue in the body.

24 Oct 2013

Older people with diabetes more likely to develop cognitive deterioration and Alzheimer's disease

Diabetes and dementia are rising dramatically in the United States and worldwide. In the last few years, epidemiological data has accrued showing that older people with diabetes are significantly more likely to develop cognitive deterioration and increased susceptibility to onset of dementia related to Alzheimer's disease.

24 Oct 2013

Researchers use nanopores to smuggle DNA or proteins across membranes

A living cell is built with barriers to keep things out - and researchers are constantly trying to find ways to smuggle molecules in.‬ ‪Professor Giovanni Maglia (Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology, KU Leuven) and his team have engineered a biological nanopore that acts as a selective revolving door through a cell's lipid membrane. The nanopore could potentially be used in gene therapy and targeted drug delivery.‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

24 Oct 2013

Nanometric scale diamond particles offer new way to detect cancer far earlier

Real-time monitoring of cancer cell processes could soon be possible thanks to nanometric scale diamonds used as biosensors.

24 Oct 2013

Study uncovers new genetic pathways that could revolutionise acute dendritic leukaemia treatment

Acute dendritic leukaemia is a rare type of leukaemia, but one with the worst prognosis-the average patient survival rate is just 12-14 months-that is difficult to treat. Juan Cruz Cigudosa's team, from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre's Molecular Cytogenetics Group, has for the first time sequenced the exome -the coding, or protein-generating, regions of the genome- of dendritic cell leukaemia.

24 Oct 2013

A simple blood test may reveal the earliest signs of pancreatic cancer

Reporting on a small preliminary study, Johns Hopkins researchers say a simple blood test based on detection of tiny epigenetic alterations may reveal the earliest signs of pancreatic cancer, a disease that is nearly always fatal because it isn't usually discovered until it has spread to other parts of the body.

23 Oct 2013

Study could enhance process of reprogramming adult cells into embryonic-like stem cells

Bioengineers at the University of California, Berkeley, have shown that physical cues can replace certain chemicals when nudging mature cells back to a pluripotent stage, capable of becoming any cell type in the body.

23 Oct 2013

New PARP inhibitor shows early responses in patients with advanced BRCA-related cancers

An investigational new PARP inhibitor, BMN 673, is showing early responses in patients with heavily pretreated, advanced, BRCA-related cancers of the breast and ovary, according to phase I clinical trial results presented here at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, held Oct. 19-23.

23 Oct 2013

New MDx prototype platform can detect BRAF V600 mutations in 90 minutes

A new diagnostic platform to detect BRAF mutations in melanoma and other cancer types is faster and more accurate compared with the standard method currently used in clinics, and this could help accelerate diagnosis and treatment, according to results presented here at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics, held Oct. 19-23.

23 Oct 2013

Study highlights new treatment options for neurodevelopmental disorders like TSC

Clemson University scientists are working to determine how neurons are generated, which is vital to providing treatment for neurological disorders like Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC).

23 Oct 2013

STSI receives $29M grant to support innovative research on genomics, wireless technology and bioinformatics

The National Institutes of Health has renewed its prestigious Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) with the Scripps Translational Science Institute (STSI) in the amount of $29 million over the next five years to support innovative research in genomics, wireless technology and bioinformatics toward individualizing medicine.

23 Oct 2013

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

New report explains occurrence of breast cancer in women with normal BRCA genes

Scientists identify link between rare mutations in RINT1 gene and early onset breast cancer risk

Researchers discover novel genetic cause of severe obesity

Scientists find disparities in regulation of transposons between humans and non-human primate cells

Older people with diabetes more likely to develop cognitive deterioration and Alzheimer's disease

Researchers use nanopores to smuggle DNA or proteins across membranes

Nanometric scale diamond particles offer new way to detect cancer far earlier

Study uncovers new genetic pathways that could revolutionise acute dendritic leukaemia treatment

A simple blood test may reveal the earliest signs of pancreatic cancer

Study could enhance process of reprogramming adult cells into embryonic-like stem cells

New PARP inhibitor shows early responses in patients with advanced BRCA-related cancers

New MDx prototype platform can detect BRAF V600 mutations in 90 minutes

Study highlights new treatment options for neurodevelopmental disorders like TSC

STSI receives $29M grant to support innovative research on genomics, wireless technology and bioinformatics

BRCA1/2 mutations may alter endometrial, ovarian function

Illumina announces launch of TruGenome Undiagnosed Disease Test

Study opens doors to novel treatments for aggressive brain cancer

CUMC develops new technique that uses patient's own cells to grow new hair

Einstein researchers receive $2.8M grant to focus on vexing question related to aging and cancer risk

Scientist receives NIH New Innovator Award to design innovative approaches for cancer treatment

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