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).

Scientists identify key molecular process driving deadly childhood brain cancer

An international group of scientists has identified a key molecular process that drives a deadly form of childhood brain cancer, potentially offering a much-needed, new therapeutic target.

21 May 2025

Discovery of novel gene candidate sheds light on autism mechanisms

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a condition affecting the brain's development and often affects the ability of a person to perceive sensory information and social cues and socialize with others.

21 May 2025

New CRISPR technology delivers RNA precisely to repair damaged brain cells

When a neuron in our body gets damaged, segments of RNA produce proteins that can help repair the injury.

21 May 2025

New genetic mutation linked to increased prostate cancer risk in Ashkenazi Jewish men

Identifying and classifying gene mutations - which are the permanent changes in a person's DNA genetic code - are critical in better understanding, and with research, eventually treating or preventing, the diseases with which they are linked.

21 May 2025

New multiple myeloma-like score assesses disease severity and risk of progression to active cancer

A new risk assessment score developed by researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard reveals how multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer, begins and progresses from precancerous to malignant states by tracing DNA mutations.

21 May 2025

Eating garlic, berries, and tea may support younger, healthier cells

Higher intake of methyl adaptogen foods, such as turmeric, green tea, and berries, was associated with reduced epigenetic age in middle-aged men, according to a secondary analysis of the MDLS trial. These findings support the potential role of specific dietary polyphenols in modulating biological aging, though further research in larger and more diverse populations is needed.

21 May 2025

New genetic test speeds up brain tumor diagnosis to just two hours

Scientists and medics have developed an ultra-rapid method of genetically diagnosing brain tumors that will cut the time it takes to classify them from 6-8 weeks, to as little as two hours – which could improve care for thousands of patients each year in the UK.

21 May 2025

Exploring the link between microbial balance and aging mechanisms

Aging is a multifaceted process driven by interconnected biological mechanisms, among which genomic instability and telomere attrition stand as primary hallmarks.

20 May 2025

Cell Painting technology uncovers flavonoids with potential to treat bladder cancer

A team led by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine has identified flavonoids, natural compounds found in plants, that are toxic to bladder cancer cells cultured in the lab.

20 May 2025

Study reveals dual role of TEAD proteins in neural development

Scientists at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital found that, in neural development, the same set of proteins involved in cellular self-renewal can also facilitate differentiation with the right binding partner.

20 May 2025

Air pollution exposure in pregnancy may increase asthma risk for the next generation

A mother's exposure to air pollution during pregnancy can increase asthma risk in her adult offspring, according to a new mouse study published at the ATS 2025 International Conference.

20 May 2025

New blood test detects HPV-linked head and neck cancer with unmatched accuracy

A new liquid biopsy blood test could help detect cases of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated head and neck cancers with significantly higher accuracy than currently used methods, including before patients develop symptoms, according to new Mass General Brigham research.

20 May 2025

Personalized gene editing corrects fatal infant metabolic disorder in world-first treatment

Researchers have used a personalised base-editing gene therapy to successfully treat an infant with carbamoyl-phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1) deficiency, a rare and life-threatening inborn error of metabolism. This pioneering approach chemically corrects the underlying mutation without cutting DNA, showing promise for precision treatment of ultrarare genetic disorders.

20 May 2025

MIT researchers discover new potential drug targets for Alzheimer’s disease

By combining information from many large datasets, MIT researchers have identified several new potential targets for treating or preventing Alzheimer's disease.

20 May 2025

Sucralose disrupts male fertility by damaging sperm and altering hormones in animal study

Researchers found that chronic sucralose exposure in male rats disrupted reproductive hormones, damaged sperm, and impaired testicular function through oxidative stress and autophagy dysregulation. These findings raise concerns about the reproductive risks of high sucralose intake and its persistent presence in the environment.

19 May 2025

Study reveals how PAX3 protein drives melanoma growth

PAX3 is a transcription factor (proteins involved in converting DNA into RNA) that drives melanoma progression by promoting cell growth, migration and survival, while inhibiting cellular terminal differentiation, which is the final stage where a cell becomes specialized and cell division ends.

19 May 2025

MPXV virus lingers on hospital surfaces after patient stays

Researchers in the UK found that patients with clade Ib mpox can contaminate their hospital environments with monkeypox virus, including infectious particles. However, the risk of environmental transmission remains unclear and depends on cleaning practices and disease severity.

19 May 2025

Study uncovers common trigger across gene mutations that cause ALS

Using the gene scissors CRISPR and stem cells, researchers at Stockholm University and the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) at King's College London have managed to identify a common denominator for different gene mutations that all cause the neurological disease ALS.

19 May 2025

Electromagnetic waves disrupt SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and lower infectivity

Researchers demonstrated that specific electromagnetic wave frequencies can disrupt the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein structure in virus-like particles, leading to reduced infectivity in cell models. This proof-of-concept study suggests new avenues for non-chemical viral inactivation methods.

18 May 2025

Genomic study of non-Hispanic Black veterans with prostate cancer yields key insights for precision medicine

In the largest clinical genomic profiling study of non-Hispanic Black men with metastatic prostate cancer to date, researchers from Moffitt Cancer Center, University of Pennsylvania, University of California Los Angeles and the Veterans Affairs (VA) National Precision Oncology Program found key differences in tumor biology between non-Hispanic Black and non-Hispanic white veterans, but similar survival outcomes when both groups had equal access to care.

16 May 2025