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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).

Chromatrap chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay range added to Porvair Sciences’ portfolio of products for epigenetics

Porvair Sciences has announced the addition of the novel Chromatrap chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay range to its portfolio of products for epigenetics.

From Chromatrap® - Porvair Sciences Ltd 28 Mar 2013

Researchers uncover DNA rearrangement process for sex determination in Tetrahymena

It's been more than 50 years since scientists discovered that the single-celled organism Tetrahymena thermophila has seven sexes. But in all that time, they've never known how each cell's sex, or "mating type," is determined.

28 Mar 2013

Johns Hopkins scientists identify DNA-damaging substances in food

In a laboratory study pairing food chemistry and cancer biology, scientists at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center tested the potentially harmful effect of foods and flavorings on the DNA of cells.

28 Mar 2013

Researchers shed new light on role of methylation in gene expression

Researchers at UC Davis and the University of British Columbia have shed new light on methylation, a critical process that helps control how genes are expressed.

28 Mar 2013

Researcher discovers genetic variations that are linked to breast cancer

Working with an international consortium conducting research on breast, ovarian and prostate cancer among 200,000 people, Professor Jacques Simard, holder of the Canada Research Chair in Oncogenetics at Laval University, was actively involved in the discovery of DNA "spelling mistakes" linked to breast cancer.

28 Mar 2013

New laboratory study shows certain protein particles multiply, spread from one cell to another

In diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's endogenous proteins accumulate in the brain, eventually leading to the death of nerve cells. These deposits, which consist of abnormally formed proteins, are supposed to migrate between interconnected areas of the brain, thereby contributing to the development of the illness.

28 Mar 2013

Study: Gene therapy can boost heart muscle function

In an animal study, researchers at the University of Washington show that it is possible to use gene therapy to boost heart muscle function. The finding suggests that it might be possible to use this approach to treat patients whose hearts have been weakened by heart attacks and other heart conditions.

27 Mar 2013

Study raises alarm over loss of individual 'genomic liberty' due to gene patents

Humans don't "own" their own genes, the cellular chemicsals that define who they are and what diseases they might be at risk for. Through more than 40,000 patents on DNA molecules, companies have essentially claimed the entire human genome for profit, report two researchers who analyzed the patents on human DNA. Their study, published March 25 in the journal Genome Medicine, raises an alarm about the loss of individual "genomic liberty."

27 Mar 2013

Trovagene introduces urine-based HPV-HR DNA test for identifying high-risk HPV strains

Trovagene, Inc., today announced the commercial availability of its urine-based HPV-HR (high-risk) assay, a molecular human papillomavirus test.

27 Mar 2013

Penn researchers develop nanotechnology-inspired technique for diagnosing Lyme disease

Early diagnosis is critical in treating Lyme disease. However, nearly one quarter of Lyme disease patients are initially misdiagnosed because currently available serological tests have poor sensitivity and specificity during the early stages of infection.

27 Mar 2013

Genome sequencing reveals drug-resistant bacteria are transmitted from animals to humans

Researchers have used whole genome sequencing to reveal if drug-resistant bacteria are transmitted from animals to humans in two disease outbreaks that occurred on different farms in Denmark.

26 Mar 2013

Two studies shed light on molecular biology of three blood disorders

Two studies led by investigators at Weill Cornell Medical College shed light on the molecular biology of three blood disorders, leading to novel strategies to treat these diseases.

26 Mar 2013

UCI study finds novel molecular mechanism that helps trigger formation of long-term memory

UC Irvine neurobiologists have found a novel molecular mechanism that helps trigger the formation of long-term memory. The researchers believe the discovery of this mechanism adds another piece to the puzzle in the ongoing effort to uncover the mysteries of memory and, potentially, certain intellectual disabilities.

26 Mar 2013

First multi-gene DNA sequencing test launched for cancer patients

The first multi-gene DNA sequencing test that can help predict cancer patients' responses to treatment has been launched in the National Health Service, thanks to a partnership between scientists at the University of Oxford and Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust.

26 Mar 2013

Researchers rejuvenate mice’s blood by reversing blood-producing stem cells

The blood of young and old people differs. In an article published recently in the scientific journal Blood, a research group at Lund University in Sweden explain how they have succeeded in rejuvenating the blood of mice by reversing, or re-programming, the stem cells that produce blood.

25 Mar 2013

DNA damage is part of regular brain activity, say scientists

Scientists at the Gladstone Institutes have discovered that a certain type of DNA damage long thought to be particularly detrimental to brain cells can actually be part of a regular, non-harmful process.

25 Mar 2013

Research may offer clues to why esophageal adenocarcinomas rates have increased rapidly

During the past 30 years, the number of patients with cancers that originate near the junction of the esophagus and stomach has increased approximately 600 percent in the United States. The first extensive probe of the DNA of these esophageal adenocarcinomas has revealed that many share a distinctive mix-up of letters of the genetic code, and found more than 20 mutated genes that had not previously been linked to the disease.

25 Mar 2013

Protein with key job in muscle function moonlights in nucleus to help regulate genes

A key building block of life, actin is one of the most abundant and highly conserved proteins in eukaryotic cells.

25 Mar 2013

Study uncovers new relationship between nuclear architecture, gene activity

Every time a cell divides it makes a carbon copy of crucial ingredients, including the histone proteins that are responsible for spooling yards of DNA into tight little coils.

25 Mar 2013

LMU researchers identify microRNA that offers promising target for new therapies

Atherosclerosis, an inflammatory reaction, is at the root of the most common forms of cardiovascular disease. Researchers at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet in Munich have now identified a microRNA that plays a prominent role in the process, and offers a promising target for new therapies.

25 Mar 2013

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Chromatrap chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay range added to Porvair Sciences’ portfolio of products for epigenetics

Researchers uncover DNA rearrangement process for sex determination in Tetrahymena

Johns Hopkins scientists identify DNA-damaging substances in food

Researchers shed new light on role of methylation in gene expression

Researcher discovers genetic variations that are linked to breast cancer

New laboratory study shows certain protein particles multiply, spread from one cell to another

Study: Gene therapy can boost heart muscle function

Study raises alarm over loss of individual 'genomic liberty' due to gene patents

Trovagene introduces urine-based HPV-HR DNA test for identifying high-risk HPV strains

Penn researchers develop nanotechnology-inspired technique for diagnosing Lyme disease

Genome sequencing reveals drug-resistant bacteria are transmitted from animals to humans

Two studies shed light on molecular biology of three blood disorders

UCI study finds novel molecular mechanism that helps trigger formation of long-term memory

First multi-gene DNA sequencing test launched for cancer patients

Researchers rejuvenate mice’s blood by reversing blood-producing stem cells

DNA damage is part of regular brain activity, say scientists

Research may offer clues to why esophageal adenocarcinomas rates have increased rapidly

Protein with key job in muscle function moonlights in nucleus to help regulate genes

Study uncovers new relationship between nuclear architecture, gene activity

LMU researchers identify microRNA that offers promising target for new therapies

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Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

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