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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).

Determining personal risk for genetic disorders essential

Genetic diseases affect an estimated 12 million Americans, yet according to a survey of 1,000 people conducted by the Genetic Disease Foundation (GDF), while two-thirds of those surveyed were willing to and saw the benefits of undergoing genetic testing, close to 80 percent had never talked to their physician about genetic screening – an inconsistency that can have serious implications on a person's overall health and the health of their immediate family members.

1 Mar 2010

Researchers figure out how ATP molecule broken down in cells

Researchers at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center have figured out how ATP is broken down in cells, providing for the first time a clear picture of the key reaction that allows cells in all living things to function and flourish.

1 Mar 2010

Reversing protein deficiency through gene therapy can improve SMA

Reversing a protein deficiency through gene therapy can correct motor function, restore nerve signals and improve survival in mice that serve as a model for the lethal childhood disorder spinal muscular atrophy, new research shows.

1 Mar 2010

New cooling method uncovers inner workings of key iron-containing enzyme

A team of Michigan State University scientists -- using a new cooling method they created - have uncovered the inner workings of a key iron-containing enzyme, a discovery that could help researchers develop new medicines or understand how enzymes repair DNA.

27 Feb 2010

MLL cancer cells rely on normal protein to proliferate

Researchers have found that one particularly aggressive type of blood cancer, mixed lineage leukemia (MLL), has an unusual way to keep the molecular motors running. The cancer cells rely on the normal version of an associated protein to stay alive.

27 Feb 2010

Mutations in MeCP2 cause autism spectrum disorder Rett Syndrome

A paper published online today in Molecular Cell proposes that Methyl CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2) impacts the entire genome in neurons, rather than acting as a regulator of specific genes. Mutations in MeCP2 cause the autism spectrum disorder Rett Syndrome as well as some cases of neuropsychiatric problems including autism, schizophrenia and learning disabilities.

26 Feb 2010

imaGenes GmbH passes certification process to qualify as Roche NimbleGen CSP for DNA Methylation Analysis

Roche NimbleGen is pleased to announce that imaGenes GmbH, located in Berlin, Germany, has passed the certification process to qualify as a Roche NimbleGen Certified Service Provider for DNA Methylation Analysis. imaGenes is a solution provider for functional genomics and proteomics with a comprehensive portfolio of high-quality services for molecular life sciences.

26 Feb 2010

Helicos BioSciences to demonstrate single molecule sequencing using Helicos Genetic Analysis System

Helicos BioSciences and it’s collaborators will deliver presentations featured at the Advances in Genome Biology and Technology (AGBT) meeting in Marco Island, Florida, from February 24-27, 2010.

26 Feb 2010

Researchers keep wary eye on emerging tick-borne diseases in Missouri

Stories of environmental damage and their consequences always seem to take place far away and in another country, usually a tropical one with lush rainforests and poison dart frogs.

26 Feb 2010

New dietary supplement blocks triggering mechanism causing breast cell mutations

Every 13 minutes a woman loses her battle with breast cancer and in 2009 alone more than 27,000 men died from prostate cancer. These powerful statistics continue to fuel research and new developments. With tens of millions of dollars in financial support from the National Cancer Institute and the U.S. Department of Defense, scientists have identified when estrogen metabolism is out of balance it can start the process leading to breast cell mutations.

26 Feb 2010

BPA exposure during pregnancy may cause permanent reproduction problems for female offspring

Here's more evidence that "safe" plastics are not as safe as once presumed: New research published online in The FASEB Journal suggests that exposure to Bisphenol A (BPA) during pregnancy leads to epigenetic changes that may cause permanent reproduction problems for female offspring. BPA, a common component of plastics used to contain food, is a type of estrogen that is ubiquitous in the environment.

26 Feb 2010

Genta initiates new dose-ranging study of tesetaxel drug

Genta Incorporated announced that the Company has initiated a new dose-ranging study of tesetaxel, the Company’s novel oral tubulin inhibitor, using a weekly dosing regimen. Tesetaxel -- a late Phase 2 oncology product -- is the leading oral taxane currently in clinical development.

26 Feb 2010

NeoGenomics' fourth-quarter revenue up 32%

NeoGenomics, Inc., a leading provider of cancer-focused genetic testing services today reported its results for the fourth quarter 2009 and fiscal year ended December 31, 2009.

25 Feb 2010

Agilent Technologies announces new multiplexing capability in SureSelect Target Enrichment System

Agilent Technologies Inc. today announced that its Agilent SureSelect Target Enrichment System supports multiplexed DNA sequencing of 12 to 16 samples per lane depending on the next-generation sequencing platform, reducing costs and increasing throughput up to 16-fold.

25 Feb 2010

SeqWright deploys Isilon scale-out NAS storage solution for next-generation genomic sequencing services

Isilon® Systems today announced that SeqWright has deployed Isilon scale-out NAS as an end-to-end storage solution for its full range of next-generation genomic sequencing services. By combining Isilon's X-Series, NL-Series and Backup Accelerator, SeqWright has created a comprehensive solution for every stage of its DNA sequencing workflow – from primary storage, to nearline archival, to tape backup – accelerating time-to-results without requiring full-time storage administration.

25 Feb 2010

Biochemical link between misery and death discovered

In ongoing work to identify how genes interact with social environments to impact human health, UCLA researchers have discovered what they describe as a biochemical link between misery and death. In addition, they found a specific genetic variation in some individuals that seems to disconnect that link, rendering them more biologically resilient in the face of adversity.

25 Feb 2010

Genetic test for autism: Transgenomic licenses exclusive intellectual property from IntegraGen

Transgenomic, Inc. announced today that it has licensed on an exclusive U.S. basis intellectual property from IntegraGen SA that will enable Transgenomic to develop and commercialize a genetic test designed to assess the risk of autism in children who have older siblings diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Under the agreement Transgenomic will develop the test in the Company's CAP-accredited and CLIA-certified laboratory, and anticipates launching the new test in the second quarter of 2010. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

24 Feb 2010

ES cells-functions: Condensins promote mitotic progression and maintain interphase chromatin compaction

Regulatory proteins common to all eukaryotic cells can have additional, unique functions in embryonic stem (ES) cells, according to a study in the February 22 issue of the Journal of Cell Biology (www.jcb.org). If cancer progenitor cells-which function similarly to stem cells-are shown to rely on these regulatory proteins in the same way, it may be possible to target them therapeutically without harming healthy neighboring cells.

24 Feb 2010

Idera Pharmaceuticals presents IMO-3100 TLR antagonist mechanism of action data at Keystone conference

Idera Pharmaceuticals, Inc. today presented data on the mechanism of action of IMO-3100, an antagonist of Toll-like Receptor (TLR) 7 and TLR9, in a preclinical primate model at the Keystone Symposia conference “Tolerance and Autoimmunity” being held February 21-26 in Taos, New Mexico. Idera is developing IMO-3100 for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. The presentation entitled “IMO-3100, a novel antagonist, suppresses TLR7- and TLR9-mediated immune responses in non-human primates” was made by Idera scientists.

24 Feb 2010

Ion Torrent to award two Ion Personal Genome Machine sequencers through grant program

Ion Torrent™ today announced that it will award two Ion Personal Genome Machine (PGM™) sequencers in April 2010 through a grant program designed to help make DNA sequencing accessible to all scientists.

24 Feb 2010

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Determining personal risk for genetic disorders essential

Researchers figure out how ATP molecule broken down in cells

Reversing protein deficiency through gene therapy can improve SMA

New cooling method uncovers inner workings of key iron-containing enzyme

MLL cancer cells rely on normal protein to proliferate

Mutations in MeCP2 cause autism spectrum disorder Rett Syndrome

imaGenes GmbH passes certification process to qualify as Roche NimbleGen CSP for DNA Methylation Analysis

Helicos BioSciences to demonstrate single molecule sequencing using Helicos Genetic Analysis System

Researchers keep wary eye on emerging tick-borne diseases in Missouri

New dietary supplement blocks triggering mechanism causing breast cell mutations

BPA exposure during pregnancy may cause permanent reproduction problems for female offspring

Genta initiates new dose-ranging study of tesetaxel drug

NeoGenomics' fourth-quarter revenue up 32%

Agilent Technologies announces new multiplexing capability in SureSelect Target Enrichment System

SeqWright deploys Isilon scale-out NAS storage solution for next-generation genomic sequencing services

Biochemical link between misery and death discovered

Genetic test for autism: Transgenomic licenses exclusive intellectual property from IntegraGen

ES cells-functions: Condensins promote mitotic progression and maintain interphase chromatin compaction

Idera Pharmaceuticals presents IMO-3100 TLR antagonist mechanism of action data at Keystone conference

Ion Torrent to award two Ion Personal Genome Machine sequencers through grant program

eBook: Exploring the Cell Cycle and DNA Damage and Repair eBook

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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