DNA Damage News and Research

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Chemoprevention and colon cancer: an interview with Dr. John Letterio, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine

The basic idea of cancer chemoprevention is to arrest or reverse the progression of premalignant cells towards full malignancy, using physiological mechanisms that do not kill healthy cells.

16 Jul 2014

New study reveals how genetic defect may make people more susceptible to developing melanoma

A new study by University of Kentucky researchers shows how a genetic defect in a specific hormonal pathway may make people more susceptible to developing melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer.

16 Jul 2014

NANOG gene linked to tumours derived from stratified epithelia

Scientists from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) have discovered that NANOG, an essential gene for embryonic stem cells, also regulates cell division in stratified epithelia-those that form part of the epidermis of the skin or cover the oesophagus or the vagina-in adult organisms.

10 Jul 2014

Study of mutations in cell's DNA help trace its life history

Researchers have developed new methods to trace the life history of individual cells back to their origins in the fertilised egg. By looking at the copy of the human genome present in healthy cells, they were able to build a picture of each cell's development from the early embryo on its journey to become part of an adult organ.

30 Jun 2014

Research finding paves way for targeted approaches to treating cancer patients

Twelve years ago, UNC School of Medicine researcher Brian Strahl, PhD, found that a protein called Set2 plays a role in how yeast genes are expressed - specifically how DNA gets transcribed into messenger RNA. Now his lab has found that Set2 is also a major player in DNA repair, a complicated and crucial process that can lead to the development of cancer cells if the repair goes wrong.

9 Jun 2014

Variations in BRCA2 and CHEK2 genes can increase lung cancer risk, study finds

New research confirms a vulnerability to lung cancer can be inherited and implicates the BRCA2 gene as harboring one of the involved genetic mutations.

3 Jun 2014

Compound in saliva may protect from toxins in tea, coffee and liquid smoke flavoring

A compound in saliva, along with common proteins in blood and muscle, may protect human cells from powerful toxins in tea, coffee and liquid smoke flavoring, according to results of a new study led by investigators at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center.

2 Jun 2014

Compound in saliva and proteins in blood may protect human cells from powerful toxins in tea, coffee

31 May 2014

TSRI researchers discover key proteins involved in one type of DNA repair gone awry

Accumulation of DNA damage can cause aggressive forms of cancer and accelerated aging, so the body's DNA repair mechanisms are normally key to good health. However, in some diseases the DNA repair machinery can become harmful.

23 May 2014

Researchers discover key proteins involved in DNA repair gone awry

22 May 2014

Scientists find protein that controls DNA organization during sperm development

Infertility is generally thought of as a woman's problem. In fact, more than 3 million men across America also experience it.

13 May 2014

Study of rare childhood neurodegenerative diseases identifies new source of DNA damage

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists studying two rare, inherited childhood neurodegenerative disorders have identified a new, possibly common source of DNA damage that may play a role in other neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and aging.

12 May 2014

Researchers identify new molecular circuit that controls longevity in yeast and complex organisms

Ancient philosophers looked to alchemy for clues to life everlasting. Today, researchers look to their yeast.

9 May 2014

Virginia researchers develop new combination therapy that could potentially treat multiple myeloma

Each year, more than 25,000 Americans are diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a form of blood cancer that often develops resistance to therapies.

2 May 2014

Salon nail dryers may pose cancer risk

People who regularly have their nails dried by UV lamps after a manicure may benefit from wearing sun block during the procedure to protect against any risk for cancer, say researchers.

1 May 2014

BRCA gene loss may accelerate cancer-promoting chromosome rearrangements

Inherited mutations in the BRCA1 or BRCA2 tumor suppressor genes are by far the most frequent contributors to hereditary cancer risk in the human population, often causing breast or ovarian cancer in young women of child-bearing age.

29 Apr 2014

MIT researchers develop test that can rapidly assess DNA repair systems

Our DNA is under constant attack from many sources, including environmental pollutants, ultraviolet light, and radiation. Fortunately, cells have several major DNA repair systems that can fix this damage, which may lead to cancer and other diseases if not mended.

25 Apr 2014

Measuring tumors' oxygen levels could help doctors make decisions about treatments

Unlike healthy cells, cancer cells thrive when deprived of oxygen. Tumors in low-oxygen environments tend to be more resistant to therapy and spread more aggressively to other parts of the body.

25 Apr 2014

SIRT1 protein necessary for telomere elongation and genome integrity during cell reprogramming

Cell reprogramming converts specialised cells such as nerve cells or skin cells towards an embryonic stem cell state. This reversal in the evolutionary development of cells also requires a reversal in the biology of telomeres, the structures that protect the ends of chromosomes; whilst under normal conditions telomeres shorten over time, during cell reprogramming they follow the opposite strategy and increase in length.

22 Apr 2014

B1/Cdk1 protein which plays key role in cell division also boosts power of mitochondrial activity

An international team led by researchers at UC Davis has shown that the cyclin B1/Cdk1 protein complex, which plays a key role in cell division, also boosts the mitochondrial activity to power that process.

18 Apr 2014