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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).

Mammalian embryo use different strategies to suppress retroviral infection: Study

Some viruses insert themselves into the host's DNA during infection in a process called retroviral integration, causing several diseases, including AIDS and cancer, notes a Texas A&M researcher who specializes in fetal diseases.

29 Jun 2010

Researchers study mechanism of human brain

Because of its intricate organization, figuring out the wiring diagram that explains how the billions of neurons in the brain are connected, and determining how they work together, remains a formidable task.

29 Jun 2010

Telomere length could prove a quality marker for embryonic development

Scientists from the University of Warwick and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, are the first to directly measure a specific region of DNA in human embryos. The length of this region could be a quality marker for embryonic development.

29 Jun 2010

Scancell, immatics collaborate to develop ImmunoBody vaccines for colorectal cancer

Scancell Holdings Plc,, the developer of therapeutic cancer vaccines, today announces a research collaboration with immatics biotechnologies GmbH to explore the development of novel ImmunoBody® vaccines for colorectal cancer.

29 Jun 2010

Non-Invasive prenatal blood test to detect chromosomal abnormalities in foetus

Researchers in The Netherlands believe they are on the verge of developing a simple, prenatal blood test that would be able to detect accurately chromosomal abnormalities in the developing foetus. At present, the only reliable way to do this is through amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling, both of which are invasive and carry the risk of triggering a miscarriage.

29 Jun 2010

Movable sequences of DNA are more common than previously thought

Researchers at the University of Leicester have demonstrated that movable sequences of DNA, which give rise to genetic variability and sometimes cause specific diseases, are far more common than previously thought.

29 Jun 2010

FDA grants Abbott 510(k) clearance to market molecular diagnostic test for detection of chlamydia, gonorrhea

Abbott announced today that it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to market a new, sensitive molecular diagnostic test and instrument to simultaneously detect two of the nation's most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), gonorrhea and chlamydia, including a new variant strain of chlamydia recently discovered in Sweden.

28 Jun 2010

Scientists use PGS method to analyse chromosomal status of eggs

The efficacy of preimplantation genetic screening has been one of the most hotly disputed subjects in assisted reproduction over the past few years. The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology PGS Task Force has now shown, in its groundbreaking proof of principle study, that screening of polar bodies (small cells that are the by-product of egg development), is a reliable method to analyse the chromosomal status of an egg.

28 Jun 2010

Wellcome Trust launches project in UK to decode genomes of 10,000 people

On the tenth anniversary of the completion of the first draft of the human genome - a draft which had taken ten years to complete - the Wellcome Trust today launches a project to decode the genomes of 10,000 people over the next three years. This will be one of the largest genome sequencing programmes ever undertaken and will analyse the genomes of the equivalent of one in 6,000 people in the UK.

28 Jun 2010

Transposons create genomic instability and are implicated in cancer and other diseases: Research

Transposons, or "jumping genes," make up roughly half of the human genome. Geneticists previously estimated that they replicate and insert themselves into new locations roughly one in every 20 live births.

28 Jun 2010

Helicos BioSciences to develop, market MDx tests that utilize HeliScope Single Molecule Sequencer

Helicos BioSciences Corporation announced today that it is in the early stages of validating molecular diagnostic (MDx) tests that utilize its HeliScope® Single Molecule Sequencer. The HeliScope Sequencer's ability to sequence single molecules of natural, unamplified DNA or RNA simplifies the diagnostic testing workflow obviating the need for the amplification steps utilized by most genetic analysis methods.

28 Jun 2010

JANUMET results in greater blood sugar reductions in patients with type 2 diabetes compared to pioglitazone

New data were presented at the American Diabetes Association 70th Annual Scientific Sessions from a study comparing JANUMET (sitagliptin/metformin) to pioglitazone. In this study, JANUMET resulted in significantly greater blood sugar reductions in patients with type 2 diabetes compared with pioglitazone.

28 Jun 2010

Researchers discover genetic links to kidney failure, diabetic kidney disease

Researchers at the Translational Genomics Research Institute will make two presentations at this week's 70th Scientific Sessions of the American Diabetes Association, June 25-29, in Orlando, Florida.

28 Jun 2010

Genomic analysis leads to more effective diagnostic tests, treatment options for prostate cancer: Study

A unique collaboration among physician-scientists at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center has yielded the most comprehensive genomic analysis of prostate cancer to date. "Genomic studies in other cancer types have resulted in new drug targets and strategies to classify patients into clinically meaningful subgroups that improve treatment decisions," said senior study author Charles Sawyers, Chair of the Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program at MSKCC and a HHMI investigator. "This first -ever database of its type brings us one step closer to achieving that goal in prostate cancer."

28 Jun 2010

PARP inhibitors may be effective in men with prostate cancer due to BRCA2 alteration: Researchers

The way prostate cancer develops in men who have an altered 'breast cancer gene' is the same route by which breast cancer develops in women with the same mutation, reveals a study published in PLoS Genetics today (Thursday).

25 Jun 2010

Specific virus can interact with mutation in host's genes to trigger diseases: Scientists

Scientists have shown that a specific virus can interact with a mutation in the host's genes to trigger disease. The observation may help explain why many people with disease risk genes do not actually develop disease.

25 Jun 2010

Impact of oil spill on humans and wildlife

University of Rhode Island Pharmacy Professor Bongsup Cho knows there are cancer-causing chemicals in diesel fumes and cigarette smoke.

25 Jun 2010

Gene therapy holds promise in treating cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases

EUREKA project E! 3371 Gene Transfer Agents has made great advances in the development of novel non-viral carriers able to introduce genetic material into the target cells.

25 Jun 2010

Merck's DULERA Inhalation Aerosol for asthma receives FDA approval

Merck today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved DULERA® (mometasone furoate and formoterol fumarate dihydrate) Inhalation Aerosol, a new fixed-dose combination asthma treatment for patients 12 years of age and older. DULERA is not indicated for the relief of acute bronchospasm. DULERA combines an inhaled corticosteroid (mometasone furoate) with a long-acting beta2-agonist (formoterol fumarate).

24 Jun 2010

UNC team provides first example of successful radiomitigation in mammals

While radiation has therapeutic uses, too much radiation is damaging to cells. The most important acute side effect of radiation poisoning is damage to the bone marrow. The bone marrow produces all the normal blood cells, and therefore a high dose of radiation can lead to low blood counts of red cells, platelets and white blood cells.

24 Jun 2010

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Mammalian embryo use different strategies to suppress retroviral infection: Study

Researchers study mechanism of human brain

Telomere length could prove a quality marker for embryonic development

Scancell, immatics collaborate to develop ImmunoBody vaccines for colorectal cancer

Non-Invasive prenatal blood test to detect chromosomal abnormalities in foetus

Movable sequences of DNA are more common than previously thought

FDA grants Abbott 510(k) clearance to market molecular diagnostic test for detection of chlamydia, gonorrhea

Scientists use PGS method to analyse chromosomal status of eggs

Wellcome Trust launches project in UK to decode genomes of 10,000 people

Transposons create genomic instability and are implicated in cancer and other diseases: Research

Helicos BioSciences to develop, market MDx tests that utilize HeliScope Single Molecule Sequencer

JANUMET results in greater blood sugar reductions in patients with type 2 diabetes compared to pioglitazone

Researchers discover genetic links to kidney failure, diabetic kidney disease

Genomic analysis leads to more effective diagnostic tests, treatment options for prostate cancer: Study

PARP inhibitors may be effective in men with prostate cancer due to BRCA2 alteration: Researchers

Specific virus can interact with mutation in host's genes to trigger diseases: Scientists

Impact of oil spill on humans and wildlife

Gene therapy holds promise in treating cancer, cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases

Merck's DULERA Inhalation Aerosol for asthma receives FDA approval

UNC team provides first example of successful radiomitigation in mammals

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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