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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).

Research team identifies five new gene regions that raise the risk of childhood-onset IBD

In the largest, most comprehensive genetic analysis of childhood-onset inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), an international research team has identified five new gene regions, including one involved in a biological pathway that helps drive the painful inflammation of the digestive tract that characterizes the disease.

16 Nov 2009

Easy and affordable genetic test from Pathway Genomics

Pathway Genomics™ (www.PATHWAY.com), a privately held, venture-backed company, today announced an exclusive agreement to partner with OptumHealthSM Allies and offer the organization’s 15 million members a 20% discount on Pathway’s Health and Ancestry genetic test.

13 Nov 2009

Scientists to develop a treatment for rare genetic disorder, FOP

An international team of scientists, led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, is taking the first step in developing a treatment for a rare genetic disorder called fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), in which the body's skeletal muscles and soft connective tissue turns to bone, immobilizing patients over a lifetime with a second skeleton.

13 Nov 2009

New gene therapy may breach the armor of cancerous tumors

The seeming invincibility of cancerous tumors may be crumbling, thanks to a promising new gene therapy that eliminates the ability of certain cells to repair themselves. Researchers at the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine have discovered that inactivation of a DNA repair gene called Hus1 efficiently kills cells lacking p53 -- a gene mutated in the majority of human cancers.

13 Nov 2009

New findings on human genome may be useful for developing specific AIDS drugs

The AIDS virus inserts its genetic material into the genome of the infected cell. Scientists of the German Cancer Research Center have now shown for the first time that the virus almost entirely spares particular sites in the human genetic material in this process. This finding may be useful for developing new, specific AIDS drugs.

13 Nov 2009

AvidBiotics granted U.S. and European patents concerning its DGR technology platform

AvidBiotics Corp. announced the issuance of foundational patents encompassing a completely novel mechanism for generating massive diversity within precisely targeted sites of protein-encoding DNA sequences. The technology platform is referred to as Diversity Generating Retroelements (DGR) and patents were issued in both the United States (#7,585,957) and in Europe (#1,173,995). UCLA and AvidBiotics Corp are co-assignees of the patents, and AvidBiotics holds exclusive, worldwide rights to the patents from UCLA.

13 Nov 2009

Gene variants which influence insulin metabolism can also affect birth weight

Low birth weight increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Until recently scientists had attributed this to maternal malnutrition during pregnancy. However, now it seems that genetic background may also play a major role. A research team of Technische Universität München and Helmholtz Zentrum München has now demonstrated, that gene variants which influence insulin metabolism can also affect birth weight.

12 Nov 2009

Co-founders of Signature Genomics recognized with Inland Northwest Catalyst Award

Signature Genomics, which performs diagnostic genetic testing of chromosome abnormalities in individuals with unexplained mental retardation and/or birth defects, today announced company co-founders Dr. Lisa G. Shaffer, Ph.D., and Dr. Bassem A. Bejjani, M.D. have received the 2009 Inland Northwest Catalyst Award for Innovators of the Year.

12 Nov 2009

Novel breakthrough may lead to new methods for sterilizing food and medical equipment

Got food poisoning? The cause might be bacterial spores, en extremely hardy survival form of bacteria, a nightmare for health care and the food industry and an enigma for scientists. Spore-forming bacteria, present almost everywhere in our environment, can also cause serious infectious diseases, such as tetanus, anthrax, and botulism.

12 Nov 2009

Scientists find way to disarm "undruggable" protein; discovery lays foundation for new kind of cancer therapy

Scientists have devised an innovative way to disarm a key protein considered to be "undruggable," meaning that all previous efforts to develop a drug against it have failed. Their discovery, published in the November 12 issue of Nature, lays the foundation for a new kind of therapy aimed directly at a critical human protein — one of a few thousand so-called transcription factors — that could someday be used to treat a variety of diseases, especially multiple types of cancer.

12 Nov 2009

Study: Mouse gene uncovers new strategy for treating Alzheimer's disease

A new study reveals that a previously undiscovered mouse gene reduces the two major pathological perturbations commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The research, published by Cell Press in the November 12 issue of the journal Neuron, finds that the novel gene interacts with a key cellular enzyme previously linked with AD pathology, thereby uncovering a new strategy for treating this devastating disorder.

12 Nov 2009

Researchers identify mouse gene that reduces the accumulation Alzheimer's plaques and tangles

Investigators at Burnham Institute for Medical Research (Burnham) and colleagues have identified a novel mouse gene (Rps23r1) that reduces the accumulation of two toxic proteins that are major players in Alzheimer's disease: amyloid beta and tau. The amyloid and tau lowering functions of this gene were demonstrated in both human and mouse cells.

12 Nov 2009

Pacific Biosciences selects Camstar Manufacturing enterprise software to deliver innovative products

Camstar Systems, Inc. announced today that Pacific Biosciences, a leader in the development of a transformative Single Molecule Real Time (SMRT™) DNA sequencing platform, has selected the Camstar Manufacturing™ enterprise software platform to enable its critical transition from product development to high-volume production, and to ensure consistent top product quality.

12 Nov 2009

Researchers find link between telomeres and longevity

A team led by researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University has found a clear link between living to 100 and inheriting a hyperactive version of an enzyme that rebuilds telomeres - the tip ends of chromosomes. The findings appear in the latest issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

12 Nov 2009

Cambridge based hub to use DNA sequencing platforms for advancing its targeted medical resequencing studies

The University of Cambridge and Life Technologies Corporation, announced today the formation of a collaboration to advance translational research studies in key disease areas such as cancer, diabetes and neurological disorders. Through this collaboration, next generation sequencing technology will be made available to the European research and clinical communities through the Eastern Sequence and Informatics Hub at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge.

11 Nov 2009

First draft of the cassava genome complete

A team of academic, government and industry researchers has completed a first draft of the cassava (Manihot esculenta) genome. The project is an important first step in accelerating the pace of research on this subsistence crop and addressing some of the many limitations that face cassava farmers around the world.

11 Nov 2009

New HPV vaccine eliminates chronic infection and reduces precancerous genital lesions in women

A new vaccine designed to stimulate an immune response against a cancer-causing human papillomavirus (HPV-16) can eliminate chronic infection by the virus and may cause regression of precancerous genital lesions in women who receive the vaccine.

11 Nov 2009

Potential new drug for lung cancer eliminates tumors in mice

A potential new drug for lung cancer has eliminated tumours in 50% of mice in a new study published today in the journal Cancer Research. In the animals, the drug also stopped lung cancer tumours from growing and becoming resistant to treatment. The authors of the research, from Imperial College London, are now planning to take the drug into clinical trials, to establish whether it could offer hope to patients with an inoperable form of lung cancer.

11 Nov 2009

Life Technologies to acquire BioTrove

Life Technologies Corporation, a provider of innovative life science solutions, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire BioTrove, Inc. for an undisclosed amount.

10 Nov 2009

ImmunoGen to present IMGN901 clinical data at AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference

ImmunoGen, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company that develops targeted anticancer therapeutics, announced today that several ImmunoGen poster presentations will be made at the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference on Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics to be held in Boston, MA, on November 15-19, 2009.

10 Nov 2009

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Research team identifies five new gene regions that raise the risk of childhood-onset IBD

Easy and affordable genetic test from Pathway Genomics

Scientists to develop a treatment for rare genetic disorder, FOP

New gene therapy may breach the armor of cancerous tumors

New findings on human genome may be useful for developing specific AIDS drugs

AvidBiotics granted U.S. and European patents concerning its DGR technology platform

Gene variants which influence insulin metabolism can also affect birth weight

Co-founders of Signature Genomics recognized with Inland Northwest Catalyst Award

Novel breakthrough may lead to new methods for sterilizing food and medical equipment

Scientists find way to disarm "undruggable" protein; discovery lays foundation for new kind of cancer therapy

Study: Mouse gene uncovers new strategy for treating Alzheimer's disease

Researchers identify mouse gene that reduces the accumulation Alzheimer's plaques and tangles

Pacific Biosciences selects Camstar Manufacturing enterprise software to deliver innovative products

Researchers find link between telomeres and longevity

Cambridge based hub to use DNA sequencing platforms for advancing its targeted medical resequencing studies

First draft of the cassava genome complete

New HPV vaccine eliminates chronic infection and reduces precancerous genital lesions in women

Potential new drug for lung cancer eliminates tumors in mice

Life Technologies to acquire BioTrove

ImmunoGen to present IMGN901 clinical data at AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference

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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