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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).

Tel Aviv University researchers unravel the mysteries of DNA packaging

The RNA "spools" that make up DNA in our genes need careful editing, too. Genes are composed of meaningful sequences, called exons, separated by meaningless junk sections called introns.

15 Dec 2009

Optiquant BKV Quantification Panel for MSSA DNA testing procedures

AcroMetrix, a leading provider of quality control standards for clinical diagnostic laboratories, announced today the launch of the first standardized quality control for MSSA molecular testing.

15 Dec 2009

Clarient and BioView team up to develop diagnostic tool for early detection of lung cancer

Clarient, Inc., a premier technology and services resource for pathologists, oncologists and the pharmaceutical industry, and BioView Ltd. (TASE: BIOV) today jointly announced that they will collaborate on studies to validate the clinical utility of a non-invasive test for the early detection of non-small cell lung cancer.

14 Dec 2009

Preclinical graft study supports Cytori’s proposed mechanism of action

Cytori Therapeutics reported results from a preclinical cell-enriched fat grafting study supporting the safety and efficacy of Cytori’s method for enriching fat grafts with adipose-derived regenerative cells (ADRCs).

14 Dec 2009

Several DNA sequences linked to impaired pulmonary function, uncovers new study

A new study involving data from more than 20,000 individuals has uncovered several DNA sequences linked to impaired pulmonary function. The research, an analysis that combined the results of several smaller studies, provides insight into the mechanisms involved in reaching full lung capacity.

14 Dec 2009

Autism research at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia named among top ten medical breakthroughs

Autism research led by scientists at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia has been named one of the top ten medical breakthroughs of 2009 by Time Magazine.

14 Dec 2009

Virginia seafood dealer banned from importing food for the next 20 years

A Virginia man sentenced to five years in prison for his role in a conspiracy to import catfish from Vietnam for fraudulent sale to avoid paying federal import tariffs has been barred from importing articles of food or offering such articles for import into the United States for the next 20 years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said today.

14 Dec 2009

Scientists discover five genetic variants associated with lung disease

Scientists have discovered five genetic variants that are associated with the health of the human lung. The research by an international consortium of 96 scientists from 63 centres in Europe and Australia sheds new light on the molecular basis of lung diseases.

14 Dec 2009

Maxygen extends 'Dutch Auction' tender offer for share repurchase program

Maxygen, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development of improved versions of protein drugs, today announced that it has extended the expiration date for its modified "Dutch Auction" tender offer to repurchase 6,557,377 shares of its common stock, which was commenced on November 13, 2009.

13 Dec 2009

Study may help in treating sex differentiation disorders in children

Is it a boy or a girl? Expecting parents may be accustomed to this question, but contrary to what they may think, the answer doesn't depend solely on their child's sex chromosomes.

11 Dec 2009

Study may lead to improved, targeted therapies for cancer patients

A team of Princeton University scientists has produced a systematic listing of the ways a particular cancerous cell has "gone wrong," giving researchers a powerful tool that eventually could make possible new, more targeted therapies for patients.

11 Dec 2009

NIH awards $14.6M for Eukaryotic Pathogen Genome Database Resource expansion

Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Georgia have been awarded a five-year, $14.6 million contract from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the US National Institutes of Health, to expand and extend work on the Eukaryotic Pathogen Genome Database Resource, http://EuPathDB.org.

11 Dec 2009

Researchers discover new explanation for differences in severity of mental illness in males

Researchers have discovered a new explanation for differences in the severity of mental illness in males. The more excess copies of a certain gene, the more serious the handicap. The genetic defect is situated on the X-chromosome; and it is suspected that it is the amount of copies of the GDI1 gene that is responsible.

11 Dec 2009

Cequent Pharmaceuticals' IND application for CEQ508 approved for clinical trial

Cequent Pharmaceuticals, a pioneer in the development of novel products to deliver RNAi-based treatments to prevent and treat human disease, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research (CBER) approved Cequent's first IND (investigational new drug) application yesterday.

10 Dec 2009

Eli Lilly provides financial guidance for 2010

At its annual meeting today with the investment community, Eli Lilly and Company highlighted how its innovation-based strategy will enable it to better serve patients and compete effectively in a challenging health care environment. The company also detailed the progress being made in its labs and across its five new business units on an expanding pipeline of innovative molecules and marketed medicines, and provided investors with the company's financial guidance for 2010.

10 Dec 2009

Important forensic DNA advance published in the journal Law, Probability and Risk

Cybergenetics is pleased to announce the publication of an important forensic DNA advance in the journal Law, Probability and Risk. The paper "Match likelihood ratio for uncertain genotypes" enables scientists to extract far more identification information from the same DNA evidence.

10 Dec 2009

Cell transplants may yield new therapies for dementia patients

Nerve cells transplanted into brain-damaged rats helped them to fully recover their ability to learn and remember, probably by promoting nurturing, protective growth factors, according to a new study.

10 Dec 2009

German researchers study target-oriented methods for children with brain tumor

Brain tumors are the primary cause of cancer mortality in children. Even if a cure is possible, young patients often suffer tremendously from the stressful treatment which can be harmful to the developing brain.

10 Dec 2009

Roche launches new automated clinical laboratory system for HPV and CT/NG tests

Roche Molecular Systems, Inc. (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY) announced today the launch of a new clinical laboratory system designed to increase laboratory testing efficiency and to accommodate current and long-term molecular diagnostic needs.

10 Dec 2009

Genetic variations in Sonic Hedgehog pathway associated with response to standard immunotherapy

Genetic variations in the Sonic Hedgehog pathway increase the likelihood of recurrence, reduce survival time and limit response to therapy for people with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, scientists from The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center reported today at the American Association for Cancer Research Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research Conference.

10 Dec 2009