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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 suggests that about 70% of total Alzheimer's risk is hereditary

Alzheimer's, and intervene to reduce the risk of the disease? We may be closer to that goal, thanks to a team at the University of Kentucky. Researchers affiliated with the UK Sanders-Brown Center on Aging have completed new work in Alzheimer's genetics; the research is detailed in a paper published today in the Journal of Neuroscience.

16 Aug 2013

Researchers find recurrent genetic mutation linked to deadly thoracic aortic dissections

A multi-institutional team led by Dianna Milewicz, M.D., Ph.D., of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) has found a recurrent genetic mutation that has been linked to deadly thoracic aortic dissections in family members as young as 17 years of age.

16 Aug 2013

Neurologists appear unaware of serious safety risks associated with anti-epilepsy drugs

A study by Johns Hopkins researchers shows that a fifth of U.S. neurologists appear unaware of serious drug safety risks associated with various anti-epilepsy drugs, potentially jeopardizing the health of patients who could be just as effectively treated with safer alternative medications.

16 Aug 2013

Scientists have made breakthrough in understanding cancer-promoting action of herbal products

A team of scientists from the National Cancer Centre Singapore, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore, and Taiwan's Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, LinKou, have made a breakthrough in understanding the cancer-promoting action of Aristolochic Acid (AA), a natural product of Aristolochia plants traditionally used in some Asian herbal remedies for weight loss and slimming.

14 Aug 2013

Trinity researchers reveal CHD5 protein acts as tumor suppressor in nervous system development

CHD5 has previously been proposed as a tumour suppressor, acting as a brake that prevents healthy cells from developing into cancer cells. But the part played by the protein in healthy tissue, and whether this role is important for its ability to counter tumour growth, has remained largely uncharted.

14 Aug 2013

Study shows enhancer RNA molecules may open new avenues for gene therapy

A study investigating the function of the recently discovered enhancer RNA molecules may open new avenues for gene therapy. According to the study researchers, altering the production and function of these molecules could affect the expression of genes and, in consequence, possibly also the progression of various diseases.

14 Aug 2013

Proton therapy provides organ-sparing treatment option for children with neuroblastoma

Proton therapy, using high-energy subatomic particles, may offer a precise, organ-sparing treatment option for children with high-risk forms of neuroblastoma. For patients in a new study of advanced radiation treatment, proton therapy spared the liver and kidneys from unwanted radiation, while zeroing in on its target.

14 Aug 2013

Researchers discover the origin of HPV-related tonsillar cancer

American and European research shows an alarming increase in the rate of tonsillar cancer related to the human papilloma virus (HPV), a sexually transmitted virus. Experts suggest a similar trend has emerged in Canada, but it had yet to be confirmed through scientific analysis.

14 Aug 2013

Study reports high survival rates for children with rare subtype of leukaemia

A pioneering genetic study means that children with a rare subtype of leukaemia have 75% less chance of their leukaemia recurring.

13 Aug 2013

Coalition with Innovative Life Sciences delivers best medicine in oncology for cancer patients

GenoSpace, PathGroup and the IP & Science business of Thomson Reuters today announced an innovative initiative to develop and deliver a best-in-class personalized medicine service in oncology, the result of which will enable physicians to make more precise therapeutic recommendations for cancer patients.

13 Aug 2013

Researchers identify clear genetic risk factors in patients with severe epilepsy

Neurologists and epilepsy researchers from NYU Langone Medical Center were among scientists who have 329 random genetic mutations associated with two of the most severe forms of epilepsy, according to a paper published today in Nature.

13 Aug 2013

Rice researchers frame rules to design viral capsid proteins for gene therapy

Rice University researchers are making strides toward a set of rules to custom-design Lego-like viral capsid proteins for gene therapy.

13 Aug 2013

Study reveals new genetic mutations that cause epilepsy

Results from a landmark international study using state of the art technology has revealed new genetic mutations that cause epilepsy. The findings could help to advance treatments for the most severe forms of epilepsy.

13 Aug 2013

Study: Strain of bacteria infections in humans originally come from cattle

A strain of bacteria that causes skin and soft tissue infections in humans originally came from cattle, according to a study to be published in mBio-, the online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology.

13 Aug 2013

Patients with rare epilepsy aphasia share mutations on same gene

Some patients with a rare type of epilepsy called epilepsy aphasia have something else in common. They have mutations in the same gene. Epilepsy aphasia disorders are characterized by seizures and speech abnormalities.

13 Aug 2013

Bacterial strains that delay cell division might be used to design drugs that stop division entirely

In 1958 a group of scientists working in Denmark made the striking observation that bacterial cells are about twice as large when they are cultured on a rich nutrient source than when they are cultured on a meager one.

13 Aug 2013

Researchers create an efficient technique to target and repair defective genes

Using human pluripotent stem cells and DNA-cutting protein from meningitis bacteria, researchers from the Morgridge Institute for Research and Northwestern University have created an efficient way to target and repair defective genes.

13 Aug 2013

Nuevolution forms scientific collaboration to investigate biological mechanism of GPCR drug target

Nuevolution A/S today announced that it has entered into a scientific collaboration with Duke University, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Lexicon Pharmaceuticals, Inc. for the investigation of the biological mechanism of action of a specified GPCR drug target.

13 Aug 2013

Learning "grammar" helps determine whether gene gets switched on or not

Researchers have probed deep into the cell's genome, beyond the basic genetic code, to begin learning the "grammar" that helps determine whether or not a gene gets switched on to make the protein it encodes.

13 Aug 2013

Scientists present novel method to visualize how nuclear protein mobility changes following DNA damage

Understanding the cellular response to DNA strand breaks is crucial to decipher the mechanisms maintaining the integrity of our genome. In eukaryotic cells, the molecular events triggered by DNA damage are strongly influenced by the local chromatin environment surrounding the lesion. The ensuing DNA repair process, in turn, impacts on chromatin structure. In order to understand how these two fundamental processes are mutually connected, both chromatin rearrangements induced by DNA damage as well as DNA repair activity have to be visualized in living cells.

12 Aug 2013

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Study suggests that about 70% of total Alzheimer's risk is hereditary

Researchers find recurrent genetic mutation linked to deadly thoracic aortic dissections

Neurologists appear unaware of serious safety risks associated with anti-epilepsy drugs

Scientists have made breakthrough in understanding cancer-promoting action of herbal products

Trinity researchers reveal CHD5 protein acts as tumor suppressor in nervous system development

Study shows enhancer RNA molecules may open new avenues for gene therapy

Proton therapy provides organ-sparing treatment option for children with neuroblastoma

Researchers discover the origin of HPV-related tonsillar cancer

Study reports high survival rates for children with rare subtype of leukaemia

Coalition with Innovative Life Sciences delivers best medicine in oncology for cancer patients

Researchers identify clear genetic risk factors in patients with severe epilepsy

Rice researchers frame rules to design viral capsid proteins for gene therapy

Study reveals new genetic mutations that cause epilepsy

Study: Strain of bacteria infections in humans originally come from cattle

Patients with rare epilepsy aphasia share mutations on same gene

Bacterial strains that delay cell division might be used to design drugs that stop division entirely

Researchers create an efficient technique to target and repair defective genes

Nuevolution forms scientific collaboration to investigate biological mechanism of GPCR drug target

Learning "grammar" helps determine whether gene gets switched on or not

Scientists present novel method to visualize how nuclear protein mobility changes following DNA damage

Understanding the DNA Damage Response in Innate Immunity eBook

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