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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).

Cigarettes are widely contaminated with bacteria, reveals study

Cigarettes are "widely contaminated" with bacteria, including some known to cause disease in people, concludes a new international study conducted by a University of Maryland environmental health researcher and microbial ecologists at the Ecole Centrale de Lyon in France.

19 Nov 2009

Microarray analysis can identify chromosome abnormalities in children with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome

Researchers at Signature Genomic Laboratories, which performs diagnostic genetic testing of chromosome abnormalities in individuals with unexplained physical and developmental disabilities, recently showed that microarray analysis can identify small DNA alterations in individuals with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, a rare and poorly characterized genetic disorder.

19 Nov 2009

Genetic identity of cellular receptor for the immune system's first-response antibody discovered

Researchers at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) have uncovered the genetic identity of a cellular receptor for the immune system's first-response antibody, a discovery that sheds new light on infection control and immune disorders. The discovery is such a crucial part of immunology that UAB researchers, in conjunction with Japanese researchers, are asking that the gene linked to this antibody receptor be renamed to better describe its role in early immune responses.

19 Nov 2009

China Medical Technologies announces financial results for second fiscal quarter

China Medical Technologies, Inc. (the "Company"), a leading China-based medical device company that develops, manufactures and markets advanced in-vitro diagnostic products, today announced its unaudited financial results for the second fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2009 ("2Q FY2009"). The Company's 2009 fiscal year ends on March 31, 2010 ("FY2009").

19 Nov 2009

Data from Phase 1 safety study of SB-728-T announced

Sangamo BioSciences, Inc. announced today that data from the University of Pennsylvania investigator sponsored Phase 1 safety study of Sangamo's zinc finger nuclease (ZFN) based product, SB-728-T, for HIV/AIDS were inadvertently and prematurely disclosed on the internet.

19 Nov 2009

Queen’s University Belfast to study individualized radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer

Individualised radiotherapy treatment based on a person’s genetic make up could soon become a reality, according to Breast Cancer Campaign.

19 Nov 2009

New research on viral activity may aid in treating bacterial infections

Viruses are well known for attacking humans and animals, but some viruses instead attack bacteria. Texas A&M University researchers are exploring how hungry viruses, armed with transformer-like weapons, attack bacteria, which may aid in the treatment of bacterial infections.

19 Nov 2009

Annual conference to discuss male infertility and tackling falling birth rates across Europe

Male infertility and tackling falling birth rates across Europe will be among the topics addressed at this year's British Andrology Society's annual conference at Queen's University in Belfast.

19 Nov 2009

Fully integrated human genome sequencing and data processing service launched

Knome, Inc., a recognized pioneer in the personal genomics field, today announced the launch of KnomeDISCOVERY, the first fully integrated human genome sequencing and data processing service for researchers. The new offering meets rapidly emerging demand from biomedical researchers for a one-stop service that bundles affordable, research-tailored access to a broad range of next-generation sequencing platforms with discovery-supportive data management and analysis.

18 Nov 2009

Ionian Technologies receives supplemental funding from the Gates Foundation

Ionian Technologies, Inc., will continue its efforts to develop a rapid point-of-care diagnostics platform for use in the developing world with supplemental funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. This grant from the Foundation will extend the total commitment to this program, which was initiated in November 2008, to $3 million over two years.

18 Nov 2009

Gene-diet interaction influencing BMI and obesity replicated in three independent studies

Tufts University researchers have identified a gene-diet interaction that appears to influence body weight and have replicated their findings in three independent studies. Men and women carrying the CC genotype demonstrated higher body mass index (BMI) scores and a higher incidence of obesity, but only if they consumed a diet high in saturated fat. These associations were seen in the apolipoprotein A-II gene (APOA2) promoter.

18 Nov 2009

SynCon Chikungunya virus DNA vaccine induces protective neutralizing antibody responses in animal model

Inovio Biomedical Corporation, a leader in DNA vaccine design, development and delivery, announced today that the company's SynCon™ Chikungunya virus DNA vaccine induced protective neutralizing antibody responses in a preclinical non-human primate model.

18 Nov 2009

Cancer-fighting protein successfully placed directly into solid tumors and turned on

Experiments at the Pioneer Valley Life Sciences Institute (PVLSI) at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, Mass., reported in a recent British Journal of Cancer, confirm that University of Massachusetts Amherst chemical engineer Neil Forbes' delivery and trigger system has for the first time successfully placed TRAIL, a cancer-fighting protein, directly into solid tumors and on cue, turned it on. The treatment improved the 30-day survival time of mice with mammary tumors from 0 to 100 percent.

18 Nov 2009

Request for pre-IND meeting to discuss IND application for therapeutic vaccine granted by FDA

GeoVax Labs, Inc. (the "Company"), an Atlanta-based, biopharmaceutical company developing human vaccines for diseases caused by HIV-1 (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and other infectious agents, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted its request for a pre-IND meeting to discuss the proposed Investigational New Drug (IND) application for GeoVax's therapeutic vaccine as a treatment for individuals already infected with HIV.

18 Nov 2009

Developmental biologists to participate in $100 million federal 'Bench to Bassinet' network

Developmental biologists at the University of Pittsburgh have been chosen to participate in a $100 million federal "Bench to Bassinet" network that is dedicated to learning about the formation of the cardiovascular system and applying that knowledge to create new diagnostic and intervention strategies for congenital heart disease.

18 Nov 2009

Depression is as much of a risk factor for mortality as smoking, says new study

A study by researchers at the University of Bergen, Norway, and the Institute of Psychiatry (IoP) at King's College London has found that depression is as much of a risk factor for mortality as smoking.

17 Nov 2009

Helicos Genetic Analysis System to be installed at the Leiden Genome Technology Center

Helicos BioSciences Corporation, today announced the sale of a Helicos® Genetic Analysis System to a collaborative Dutch research group led by the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), further including the medical centers of Amsterdam (AMC) Groningen (UMCG) and Rotterdam (Erasmus MC) and funded by a grant from NWO, the Netherlands Organization of Scientific Research.

17 Nov 2009

Illinois and Michigan teens honored at 2009 Siemens Competition

Research projects in the areas of biology and mathematics scored top marks this evening, as Marissa Suchyta of South Barrington, Illinois and the team of Randy Jia of Rochester Hills, Michigan and David Lu of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan received the highest honors at the Region Three Finals of the 2009 Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology, the nation's premier high school science competition.

17 Nov 2009

AACR-NCI-EORTC conference highlights major expansion in cancer drug pipeline

To highlight results of more recent research, the AACR-NCI-EORTC Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics International Conference will host a press briefing on "Drugs in the Pipeline." Sara A. Courtneidge, Ph.D., D.Sc., professor and director of the Tumor Microenvironment Program, and director of academic affairs at the Burnham Institute for Medical Research, will moderate this press briefing.

17 Nov 2009

Perceptual Control Theory may soon revolutionize psychological and social sciences

Just as 400 years ago a correct explanation of the solar system set the stage for major progress in the physical sciences, so today a correct explanation of control is setting the stage for major progress in the life sciences.

17 Nov 2009

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Cigarettes are widely contaminated with bacteria, reveals study

Microarray analysis can identify chromosome abnormalities in children with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome

Genetic identity of cellular receptor for the immune system's first-response antibody discovered

China Medical Technologies announces financial results for second fiscal quarter

Data from Phase 1 safety study of SB-728-T announced

Queen’s University Belfast to study individualized radiotherapy treatment for breast cancer

New research on viral activity may aid in treating bacterial infections

Annual conference to discuss male infertility and tackling falling birth rates across Europe

Fully integrated human genome sequencing and data processing service launched

Ionian Technologies receives supplemental funding from the Gates Foundation

Gene-diet interaction influencing BMI and obesity replicated in three independent studies

SynCon Chikungunya virus DNA vaccine induces protective neutralizing antibody responses in animal model

Cancer-fighting protein successfully placed directly into solid tumors and turned on

Request for pre-IND meeting to discuss IND application for therapeutic vaccine granted by FDA

Developmental biologists to participate in $100 million federal 'Bench to Bassinet' network

Depression is as much of a risk factor for mortality as smoking, says new study

Helicos Genetic Analysis System to be installed at the Leiden Genome Technology Center

Illinois and Michigan teens honored at 2009 Siemens Competition

AACR-NCI-EORTC conference highlights major expansion in cancer drug pipeline

Perceptual Control Theory may soon revolutionize psychological and social sciences

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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