Junk DNA News and Research

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In genetics, "junk DNA" or noncoding DNA describes components of an organism's DNA sequences that do not encode for protein sequences.

Breakthrough gene therapy method utilizes bird retrotransposon for safe gene insertion

The recent approval of a CRISPR-Cas9 therapy for sickle cell disease demonstrates that gene editing tools can do a superb job knocking out genes to cure hereditary disease.

20 Feb 2024

Novel adaptations and functions of human LINE-1 revealed by structural analysis and inhibition

Martin Taylor, MD, PhD, a physician investigator in the Department of Pathology at Massachusetts General Hospital and an instructor in Pathology at Harvard Medical School, is the lead corresponding author of a new study in Nature, Structural Analysis and Inhibition of Human LINE-1 ORF2 Protein Reveals Novel Adaptations and Functions.

19 Dec 2023

UK Biobank unveils world's largest genetic data set

In a momentous landmark for medical research, UK Biobank has today [Thursday 30 November] unveiled incredible new data from whole genome sequencing of its half a million participants.

4 Dec 2023

UK Biobank data opens door to new era of precision medicine

In a momentous landmark for medical research, UK Biobank has today [Thursday 30 November] unveiled incredible new data from whole genome sequencing of its half a million participants.

29 Nov 2023

RNA-based therapy shows promise for treating leukemia in animal models

Each year, about 13,000 people in Deutschland are diagnosed with leukemia, an umbrella term that encompasses various forms of blood cancer.

27 Nov 2023

Scientists uncover "genomic tug of war" that influences chemotherapy's effectiveness

Some patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, like acute myeloid leukemia, benefit from a chemotherapy drug called decitabine that stunts cancer growth. But many others are resistant to decatibine's effects or become resistant over time.

16 Nov 2023

Study reveals non-coding genetic variants associated with Alzheimer’s disease functioning in microglia

Scientists studying Alzheimer's disease (AD) have identified thousands of genetic variants in the genome in the development of this progressive neurodegenerative disease.

23 Sep 2023

Scientists discover novel microglia-associated risk factors for Alzheimer's disease

Scientists studying Alzheimer's disease (AD) have identified thousands of genetic variants in the genome in the development of this progressive neurodegenerative disease.

22 Sep 2023

SickKids scientists shine light on the complex genetics that underlie blood pressure regulation

Scientists at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) are delving deep into the non-coding genome to unravel the complex genetics that underlie blood pressure regulation and hypertension (high blood pressure) – the leading cause of cardiovascular disease affecting 1.25 billion people worldwide.

6 Jun 2023

New model contributes to the understanding of huge variety of genome sizes in nature

A new model developed at Tel Aviv University offers a possible solution to the scientific question of why neutral sequences, sometimes referred to as "junk DNA", are not eliminated from the genome of living creatures in nature and continue to exist within it even millions of years later.

22 Feb 2023

NEI researchers create a high-resolution map of retinal cell chromatin contract points

National Eye Institute researchers mapped the organization of human retinal cell chromatin, the fibers that package 3 billion nucleotide-long DNA molecules into compact structures that fit into chromosomes within each cell's nucleus.

7 Oct 2022

Non-coding 'junk' DNA could potentially contribute to the development of cancer

Scientists have found that non-coding 'junk' DNA, far from being harmless and inert, could potentially contribute to the development of cancer.

19 Jul 2022

Penn biologists show evidence of a two-sided genomic arms race involving repetitive DNA

Biological arms races are commonplace in nature. Cheetahs, for example, have evolved a sleek body form that lends itself to rapid running, enabling them to feast upon similarly speedy gazelles, the fastest of which may evade predation.

27 May 2022

New workflow identifies hidden genetic connections that could improve personalized medicine for IBD

All humans carry genetic variations in their DNA, called Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) that can underlie susceptibility to diseases such as diabetes and cancer.

28 Apr 2022

HIV drug stops disease progression in 25% of patients with fourth-line metastatic colorectal cancer

New clinical research shows that lamivudine, a reverse transcriptase inhibitor widely used in HIV therapy, stopped disease progression in 25% of patients with fourth-line metastatic colorectal cancer.

5 Apr 2022

Research reveals why a common genetic variant worsens outcomes for people with ALS and FTD

A pioneering new study led by UCL and National Institutes of Health (NIH) scientists has revealed, for the first time, why a common genetic variant worsens disease outcomes for people with the devastating adult-onset neurodegenerative diseases amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD).

24 Feb 2022

Junk DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Breakthrough gene therapy method utilizes bird retrotransposon for safe gene insertion

Novel adaptations and functions of human LINE-1 revealed by structural analysis and inhibition

UK Biobank unveils world's largest genetic data set

UK Biobank data opens door to new era of precision medicine

RNA-based therapy shows promise for treating leukemia in animal models

Scientists uncover "genomic tug of war" that influences chemotherapy's effectiveness

Study reveals non-coding genetic variants associated with Alzheimer’s disease functioning in microglia

Scientists discover novel microglia-associated risk factors for Alzheimer's disease

SickKids scientists shine light on the complex genetics that underlie blood pressure regulation

New model contributes to the understanding of huge variety of genome sizes in nature

NEI researchers create a high-resolution map of retinal cell chromatin contract points

Non-coding 'junk' DNA could potentially contribute to the development of cancer

Penn biologists show evidence of a two-sided genomic arms race involving repetitive DNA

New workflow identifies hidden genetic connections that could improve personalized medicine for IBD

HIV drug stops disease progression in 25% of patients with fourth-line metastatic colorectal cancer

Research reveals why a common genetic variant worsens outcomes for people with ALS and FTD

Study highlights the critical role of junk DNA in mammalian development

Study brings scientists one step closer to solving the mystery of aging

Hematopoietic stem cells take advantage of 'junk' RNA to replenish the blood system

Researchers create the most comprehensive atlas of human transcriptome

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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