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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).

Break-induced Replication more likely to cause genetic mutation than normal cell repair

Researchers from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis and Umea- University report in a study published in the February 15, 2011, issue of PLoS Biology that a method by which cells repair breaks in their DNA, known as Break-induced Replication, is up to 2,800 times more likely to cause genetic mutation than normal cell repair.

16 Feb 2011

Researchers develop new DNA test for accurate detection of Turner syndrome in children

As a child grows, a short stature is not usually cause for concern, but it is often the only sign of a condition called Turner syndrome. Prevalent in girls, Turner syndrome is a genetic defect that short-circuits normal growth and leads to cardiac and renal problems. It is not commonly detected until age 10 or older when a youngster's unusually short height raises suspicions.

16 Feb 2011

Research: Whole genome sequencing on tumors can treat pancreatic cancer

Whole genome sequencing - spelling out a person's entire DNA genetic code - has moved one step closer to being a medical option for direct patient care.

16 Feb 2011

Pfenex enters strategic agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim for use of Expression Technology

Pfenex Inc., an industry leader in protein expression through the Pfenex Expression Technology platform and Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH, a leading pharmaceutical company and global leader in biopharmaceutical contract development and manufacture, announced today that they have entered into a strategic agreement.

16 Feb 2011

Study: Overexpression of EZH2 protein promotes breast cancer progression

An essential protein for normal stem cell renewal also promotes the growth of breast cancer stem cells when it's overproduced in those cells, researchers at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center report in the February edition of Cancer Cell.

16 Feb 2011

Research: MEF2D protein in mitochondria appears to contribute early steps in Parkinson's disease

For the last several years, neurologists have been probing a connection between Parkinson's disease and problems with mitochondria, the miniature power plants of the cell.

15 Feb 2011

Idera: IMO-3100 in lupus preclinical model suppressed several key disease progression parameters

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it is presenting data on IMO-3100, an antagonist of TLR7 and TLR9, in a preclinical model of lupus showing that treatment with IMO-3100 suppressed several key disease progression parameters.

15 Feb 2011

Eurofins MWG Operon's LPE libraries offer most efficient way to sequence and scaffold genomes

Eurofins MWG Operon, an expert in next generation sequencing routinely uses up to 5 different non-cloned genomic DNA libraries for sequencing with Roche GS FLX or Illumina HiSeq 2000 technology.

15 Feb 2011

New research finds differences in cell fate commitment during embryonic development in mammals

New research shows that all not mammals are created equal. In fact, this work shows that the animals most commonly used by scientists to study mammalian genetics -- mice -- develop unusually quickly and may not always be representative of embryonic development in other mammals.

15 Feb 2011

Researchers use computers to capture chemical signal structure that triggers metastatic cancer

In cancer and other pathological diseases, researchers are discovering that packaging is important: specifically, how DNA - about two meters long when unwound and stretched - coils up and compacts neatly inside the nucleus of a cell.

15 Feb 2011

Study: Active wound healing can lead to increased risk of basal cell carcinoma in skin

Processes that are involved in active wound healing can lead to an increased risk for basal cell carcinoma in the skin. This is the conclusion of a recent study from the Swedish medical university Karolinska Institutet, published in the journal PNAS.

15 Feb 2011

New technique reveals spatial structure of microbial community

Like people in cities, microbes often live in complex communities that contain many different microbial types. Also like us, microbes tend to gravitate to and "hang out" with certain other types in their community, more than with the rest. And sometimes, when opportunities arise, they move to more favorable locations.

15 Feb 2011

Researcher discovers mechanism how p53 human genome gets inactivated in cancerous cells

One of the most important genes in the human genome is called p53 and its function is to suppress tumours, according to Roger Leng, a researcher in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. Leng has discovered the mechanism by which p53 is inactivated in cancerous cells, allowing tumours to grow.

15 Feb 2011

New England Biolabs adds OneTaq and OneTaq Hot Start DNA Polymerases to line of PCR reagents

New England Biolabs has expanded its line of PCR reagents to include OneTaq™ and OneTaq Hot Start DNA Polymerases. Optimized blends of Taq and Deep Vent® DNA Polymerases, these new products offer robust amplification across a wide range of templates, including routine, AT-rich and GC-rich amplicons.

From New England Biolabs 15 Feb 2011

bioMD makes offer for Allied Medical

bioMD Limited (ASX: BOD), a company with assets in regenerative tissue engineering technologies today announced that it has made an offer to buy all of the shares in Allied Medical Limited (Allied), a public unlisted company that specialises in the sales, distribution and commercialisation of medical technologies.

14 Feb 2011

Chimerix announces completion of $45 million Series F financing

Chimerix, Inc., a pharmaceutical company developing orally-available broad spectrum antiviral therapeutics, today announced the completion of a $45 million Series F financing. New Leaf Venture Partners led the round, with participation by new investors Pappas Ventures and Morningside Group, as well as existing investors Canaan Partners, Sanderling Ventures, Alta Partners, Asset Management Company and Frazier Healthcare Ventures.

14 Feb 2011

NHGRI's new strategic plan to identify genetic bases of most single-gene disorders

A new strategic plan from an arm of the National Institutes of Health envisions scientists being able to identify genetic bases of most single-gene disorders and gaining new insights into multi-gene disorders in the next decade. This should lead to more accurate diagnoses, new drug targets and the development of practical treatments for many who today lack therapeutic options, according to the plan from the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI).

14 Feb 2011

Independent Safety Monitoring Board recommends Vical's Allovectin-7 Phase 3 trial to continue as per protocol

Vical Incorporated today announced that an independent Safety Monitoring Board (SMB) for the company's Phase 3 trial of Allovectin-7® in patients with metastatic melanoma has completed the trial's fifth scheduled safety analysis and recommended that the trial continue per the protocol.

14 Feb 2011

New study establishes link between coronary artery disease and genetic susceptibility

A new study involving researchers at the Scripps Translational Science Institute and Scripps Health patients reveals major scientific progress in understanding the mechanism of heart disease at the molecular and genomic levels. STSI is an initiative of Scripps Health in collaboration with The Scripps Research Institute.

14 Feb 2011

New study on mosquito genome sequences to identify 'transposable elements'

A team of scientists at the University of California, Riverside has begun working on a mosquito research project that, if successful, will provide valuable genetic resources capable of transforming the way mosquito research is conducted around the world.

14 Feb 2011

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Break-induced Replication more likely to cause genetic mutation than normal cell repair

Researchers develop new DNA test for accurate detection of Turner syndrome in children

Research: Whole genome sequencing on tumors can treat pancreatic cancer

Pfenex enters strategic agreement with Boehringer Ingelheim for use of Expression Technology

Study: Overexpression of EZH2 protein promotes breast cancer progression

Research: MEF2D protein in mitochondria appears to contribute early steps in Parkinson's disease

Idera: IMO-3100 in lupus preclinical model suppressed several key disease progression parameters

Eurofins MWG Operon's LPE libraries offer most efficient way to sequence and scaffold genomes

New research finds differences in cell fate commitment during embryonic development in mammals

Researchers use computers to capture chemical signal structure that triggers metastatic cancer

Study: Active wound healing can lead to increased risk of basal cell carcinoma in skin

New technique reveals spatial structure of microbial community

Researcher discovers mechanism how p53 human genome gets inactivated in cancerous cells

New England Biolabs adds OneTaq and OneTaq Hot Start DNA Polymerases to line of PCR reagents

bioMD makes offer for Allied Medical

Chimerix announces completion of $45 million Series F financing

NHGRI's new strategic plan to identify genetic bases of most single-gene disorders

Independent Safety Monitoring Board recommends Vical's Allovectin-7 Phase 3 trial to continue as per protocol

New study establishes link between coronary artery disease and genetic susceptibility

New study on mosquito genome sequences to identify 'transposable elements'

Achieving and maintaining ISO/IEC 27001 and BS 10012 certifications

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

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