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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).

Cytosine methylation plays key role in development of childhood ALL

Changes in an epigenetic mechanism that turns expression of genes on and off may be as important as genetic alterations in causing pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia, according to a study led by scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and published in the June 10 online edition of the Journal of Clinical Investigation.

11 Jun 2013

New technique for identifying mice in breeding colonies

Immunocompromised mice, created by inactivating the genes that would allow them to recognize and attack donor cells or organs, are critical for studies of bone marrow reconstitution.

10 Jun 2013

Exact Sciences announces submission of final module of PMA application to FDA for Cologuard

Exact Sciences Corp. today announced that it has submitted to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration the final module of the premarket approval application for Cologuard, the company's stool DNA (sDNA) colorectal cancer screening test.

10 Jun 2013

New non-invasive test measures methylation of SDC2 gene, detects 87% of colorectal cancer

The average 5-year survival for colorectal cancer (CRC) is less than 10% if metastasis occurs, but can reach 90% if detected early. A new non-invasive test has been developed that measures methylation of the SDC2 gene in tissues and blood sera.

10 Jun 2013

Data emphasise need for comprehensive analysis of mtDNA in mitochondrial disease patients

French scientists have discovered that supposedly rare mutations in the mitochondria, the 'power plants' of human cells responsible for creating energy, account for more than 7% of patients with a mitochondrial disease manifesting itself as a respiratory deficiency.

10 Jun 2013

Researchers discover potential target for cancer-fighting drugs

As tumors grow, their centers are squeezed of oxygen. And so tumors must flip specific genetic switches to survive in these hypoxic environments.

10 Jun 2013

Study: Non-invasive blood test could reshape standards in prenatal testing

New research has found that routine screening using a non-invasive test that analyzes fetal DNA in a pregnant woman's blood can accurately detect Down's syndrome and other genetic fetal abnormalities in the first trimester. Published early online in Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology, the results suggest that the test is superior to currently available screening strategies and could reshape standards in prenatal testing.

10 Jun 2013

Human Argonautes directly cuts messenger RNA

Human Argonautes (hAgo), are key proteins involved in a process known as RNA interference. RNAi, as it is often called, is a mechanism that cells use to regulate gene expression.

7 Jun 2013

Cow antibodies points to new ways for making human medicines

Humans have been raising cows for their meat, hides and milk for millennia. Now it appears that the cow immune system also has something to offer. A new study led by scientists from The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) focusing on an extraordinary family of cow antibodies points to new ways to make human medicines.

7 Jun 2013

Researchers define nine molecular hallmarks of aging, debunk myths related to antioxidants

For some species, living twice as long in good health depends on no more than a few genes. When this fact was revealed by studies on worms three decades ago, it ushered in a golden age of ageing studies that has delivered numerous results, but also sown some confusion.

7 Jun 2013

Low levels of vitamin D associated with high levels of hepatitis B virus replication

Researchers from Germany have found that low levels of vitamin D are associated with high levels of hepatitis B virus replication. Findings published online in Hepatology, a journal of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases, suggest seasonal fluctuations in vitamin D and HBV levels point to a link in these variables among patients with chronic HBV.

6 Jun 2013

Research reveals how HIV triggers signal to kill infected immune cell

Untreated HIV infection destroys a person's immune system by killing infection-fighting cells, but precisely when and how HIV wreaks this destruction has been a mystery until now. New research by scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, reveals how HIV triggers a signal telling an infected immune cell to die.

6 Jun 2013

Researchers discover TRF1 gene that is important for nuclear reprogramming

Researchers are still fascinated by the idea of the possibility of reprogramming the cells of any tissue, turning them into cells with the capacity to differentiate into cells of a completely different type- pluripotent cells-and they are still striving to understand how it happens.

6 Jun 2013

Medicago reports positive interim results from preclinical trial for H7 VLP vaccine candidate

Medicago Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing highly effective and competitive vaccines based on proprietary manufacturing technologies and Virus-Like Particles, today reported positive interim results from a preclinical trial for an H7N9 Avian Influenza VLP vaccine candidate ("H7 vaccine").

6 Jun 2013

Genetic duplication that occurred millions of years ago encouraged evolution of ASF1b gene: Study

How and when evolution generates diversity or gives form to proteins, living beings' functional building blocks, are essential questions that still surround the theory of evolution. In humans, the majority of genes have emerged via genetic duplication, a strategy in which a gene generates two identical copies that can evolve to generate different proteins.

6 Jun 2013

Cells with amplified HER2 gene need to be considered carefully, study says

Biocept, Inc., a privately-held, CLIA certified laboratory testing company focused on detection and analysis of circulating tumor cells and circulating tumor DNA in cancer patients, reported the publication in the journal Cancer Medicine of a paper entitled "Discordance in HER2 gene amplification in circulating and disseminated tumor cells in patients with operable breast cancer" on research performed with collaborators from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center.

5 Jun 2013

Study: New genetic marker predicts warfarin dose in African-Americans

A newfound genetic marker promises to better predict warfarin dose in African-Americans, according to a study published online today in The Lancet. If confirmed in further studies, the finding may help to avert more of the bleeds and blood clots that come when a patient's starting dose misses the drug's narrow safety window.

5 Jun 2013

Six top scientists studying psoriasis receive NPF research grants to discover new treatments for chronic diseases

Six of the top scientists studying psoriasis-the most common autoimmune disease in the country, affecting 7.5 million Americans-and psoriatic arthritis, an inflammatory joint and tendon disease affecting up to 30 percent of people with psoriasis, received National Psoriasis Foundation (NPF) research grants totaling $450,000 for projects that aim to discover new treatments and a cure for these chronic diseases.

5 Jun 2013

State highlights: Ore. mental health could see expansion, Calif. lawmakers take up health law 'loophole'; N.Y. abortion proposal hits obstacles

When Sen. Elizabeth Steiner Hayward walked into a committee meeting, she didn't plan to reveal to the world that she has suffered from major depression for 15 years. "If I go two days without taking my medication, I can't walk in the door of this building," Steiner Hayward, D-Beaverton, told colleagues. "I can't get up in the morning. I can't take a shower. I can't function as a normal human being." Steiner Hayward is coming forward as a public voice for mental health at a time when Oregon lawmakers are considering Senate Bill 823, which would significantly expand mental health care in Oregon (Zheng, 6/3).

5 Jun 2013

New plug-in optical sensor can help diagnose Kaposi's sarcoma

As antiretroviral drugs that treat HIV have become more commonplace, the incidence of Kaposi's sarcoma, a type of cancer linked to AIDS, has decreased in the United States.

5 Jun 2013

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Cytosine methylation plays key role in development of childhood ALL

New technique for identifying mice in breeding colonies

Exact Sciences announces submission of final module of PMA application to FDA for Cologuard

New non-invasive test measures methylation of SDC2 gene, detects 87% of colorectal cancer

Data emphasise need for comprehensive analysis of mtDNA in mitochondrial disease patients

Researchers discover potential target for cancer-fighting drugs

Study: Non-invasive blood test could reshape standards in prenatal testing

Human Argonautes directly cuts messenger RNA

Cow antibodies points to new ways for making human medicines

Researchers define nine molecular hallmarks of aging, debunk myths related to antioxidants

Low levels of vitamin D associated with high levels of hepatitis B virus replication

Research reveals how HIV triggers signal to kill infected immune cell

Researchers discover TRF1 gene that is important for nuclear reprogramming

Medicago reports positive interim results from preclinical trial for H7 VLP vaccine candidate

Genetic duplication that occurred millions of years ago encouraged evolution of ASF1b gene: Study

Cells with amplified HER2 gene need to be considered carefully, study says

Study: New genetic marker predicts warfarin dose in African-Americans

Six top scientists studying psoriasis receive NPF research grants to discover new treatments for chronic diseases

State highlights: Ore. mental health could see expansion, Calif. lawmakers take up health law 'loophole'; N.Y. abortion proposal hits obstacles

New plug-in optical sensor can help diagnose Kaposi's sarcoma

Sensing a Healthier Future

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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