DNA News and Research

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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).

Episome vectors offer fresh angle to gene therapy

A European research team is seeking to overcome the early setbacks suffered by the promising new field of ‘gene therapy’ by developing a revolutionary delivery technique, known as ‘episome vectors’. This breakthrough could pave the way to treating hereditary diseases by injecting the body with healthy versions of damaged genes.

6 Dec 2004

Genetic mutations and cellular modifications may provide clues to the associations between slight genetic abnormalities and often fatal diseases

Modern research is delving deep into the human genome to find the answers to medical mysteries and, hopefully, cures for the most deadly diseases. According to four new studies presented during the 46th Annual Meeting of the American Society of Hematology

5 Dec 2004

Researchers step closer to cure for common childhood cancer

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a malignant disease caused by the abnormal growth and development of white blood cells (WBC) in the bone marrow and blood. ALL is the most common cancer occurring in children with an annual rate of approximately 30 to 40 new cases per million.

5 Dec 2004

Scene-of-the-crime DNA analysis is moving a step closer

Currently DNA analysis is both time-consuming and expensive, but researchers at the Polymer Electronics Research Centre (PERC), within the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, hope to change that by inventing a system that provides direct, real-time detection of DNA.

4 Dec 2004

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs)

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) have been the subject of a great deal of investigation in recent years. It has been established that HERVs cause some genetic diseases and there is strong circumstantial evidence for a link to some types of cancer and autoimmune diseases, but what else do we need to know about these unique organisms?

4 Dec 2004

Fossil record of the human immune system reveals antibodies that block cancer metastasis

A team of researchers at The Scripps Research Institute has reconstructed the "fossil record" of the immune systems of a group of human cancer patients to investigate if they had ever produced antibodies against their disease.

4 Dec 2004

DNA provides key to successful quitting smoking

Smokers who want to quit now have up to nine times greater chance of doing so, thanks to new DNA testing launched today by Oxford University’s newest spin-out, G-Nostics.

4 Dec 2004

Gene decoding revealed at atomic level

A recent finding by a North Carolina State University biochemist advances the fundamental biology of how genetic information, encoded in DNA, is decoded for the production of proteins.

4 Dec 2004

Potential vaccine for the deadly toxin ricin

A potential vaccine for the deadly toxin ricin, a "Category B" biological agent, will enter the first phase of clinical testing in coming weeks at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

30 Nov 2004

Citrus fruits offer promise in fighting childhood cancer

Orange juice and cancer don't mix. In fact, the popular citrus drink could become a cocktail to prevent or stop the deadly disease in humans.

30 Nov 2004

Astronaut's eyes may become windows on the bloodstream

Our eyes may become more than windows of the soul if a multidisciplinary team of University of Michigan researchers succeeds with a clever combination of nanoparticles and ultrafast pulsed laser to see individual cells as they zip past in the bloodstream.

29 Nov 2004

Stress affects molecules believed to play a key role in cellular aging

There have been many studies that have shown that your health is greatly affected by how you react to stressful events in life-setbacks or deadlines at work, conflicts and losses at home.

29 Nov 2004

New research into nicotine addiction

The National Institute on Drug Abuse has awarded a $2.1 million contract to Perlegen Sciences, Inc., to investigate the human genome for DNA variations and candidate genes associated with nicotine addiction.

24 Nov 2004

Scientists have given blind nerve cells the ability to detect light

Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, have given "blind" nerve cells the ability to detect light, paving the way for an innovative therapy that could restore sight to those who have lost it through disease.

24 Nov 2004

Discovery of a new cancer gene, which, when damaged, may promote prostate cancer

Together with an international research team, researchers from VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland have developed an effective method for the screening and identification of genes that under normal conditions suppress cancer growth.

24 Nov 2004

Researchers find mutations in a multifunctional protein cause Parkinsonism

A team of researchers at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla. and colleagues in Canada and Germany have discovered a gene and six mutations of it that cause symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders.

18 Nov 2004

Evidence of exposure to a monkey virus possibly related to cancer has been found in the blood of North American zoo workers

The virus, a polyomavirus known as simian virus 40 (SV40), has long been a subject of public health concern, in part because it has been shown to cause cancer in laboratory animals, and some investigators have reported SV40 DNA in human tumors.

18 Nov 2004

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Episome vectors offer fresh angle to gene therapy

Genetic mutations and cellular modifications may provide clues to the associations between slight genetic abnormalities and often fatal diseases

Researchers step closer to cure for common childhood cancer

Scene-of-the-crime DNA analysis is moving a step closer

Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs)

Fossil record of the human immune system reveals antibodies that block cancer metastasis

DNA provides key to successful quitting smoking

Gene decoding revealed at atomic level

Potential vaccine for the deadly toxin ricin

Citrus fruits offer promise in fighting childhood cancer

Astronaut's eyes may become windows on the bloodstream

Stress affects molecules believed to play a key role in cellular aging

New research into nicotine addiction

Scientists have given blind nerve cells the ability to detect light

Discovery of a new cancer gene, which, when damaged, may promote prostate cancer

Researchers find mutations in a multifunctional protein cause Parkinsonism

Evidence of exposure to a monkey virus possibly related to cancer has been found in the blood of North American zoo workers

Understanding the signals that delay the spread of follicular lymphoma could provide new therapeutic targets

Eisai In-licenses Anti-hepatitis B Agent clevudine From Bukwang Pharm

Sequencing of human genetic code promises to usher in a new era of genetic medicine

Exploring the intersection of biology and proteomics

Unlocking the Secrets of Multiple Sclerosis Progression: Brain-Immune Cell Communication

Passing on Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Health risks for male offspring of women with PCOS

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