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Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a biologically important type of molecule that consists of a long chain of nucleotide units. Each nucleotide consists of a nitrogenous base, a ribose sugar, and a phosphate.

Discovery leads to new understanding of cancer metastasis

In a breakthrough in the understanding of how cancer spreads, researchers at the University of Virginia School of Medicine have identified a substance secreted by lung cancer cells that enables them to metastasize, beginning their deadly march to other sites in the body.

10 Feb 2015

NMR and inhibiting HIV: an interview with Professor Michael Summers

Michael Summers is the Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and an investigator with the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. In this interview, he tells us about his work investigating the structure of large RNAs using NMR spectroscopy.

From Bruker BioSpin - NMR, EPR and Imaging 9 Feb 2015

Regulus Therapeutics reports top-line results from RG-101 clinical study for HCV treatment

Regulus Therapeutics Inc., a biopharmaceutical company leading the discovery and development of innovative medicines targeting microRNAs, today announced top-line results from the 4 mg/kg cohort and additional results from the 2 mg/kg cohort in a completed clinical study evaluating RG-101, a wholly-owned, GalNac-conjugated anti-miR targeting microRNA-122 ("miR-122"), for the treatment of hepatitis C virus infection ("HCV").

9 Feb 2015

Investigators develop microbiome map of New York City subway system

The microbes that call the New York City subway system home are mostly harmless, but include samples of disease-causing bacteria that are resistant to drugs -- and even DNA fragments associated with anthrax and Bubonic plague -- according to a citywide microbiome map published today by Weill Cornell Medical College investigators.

9 Feb 2015

New study links cell communication pathway to common brain tumors found in children

A new study by Johns Hopkins researchers links a well-known cell communication pathway called Notch to one of the most common -- but overall still rare -- brain tumors found in children.

6 Feb 2015

Isis receives $10 million from Biogen Idec to begin IND-supporting studies of ISIS-BIIB4 Rx

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today that it has earned a $10 million milestone payment from Biogen Idec for initiating the investigational new drug (IND)-supporting studies of ISIS-BIIB4 Rx.

5 Feb 2015

Recipients of The 2015 Protein Society Awards announced

The Protein Society, the premiere international society dedicated to supporting protein research, announces the winners of The 2015 Protein Society Awards. The awards will be conferred at the 29th Annual Symposium of The Protein Society (July 22-25, 2015, Barcelona, Spain).

5 Feb 2015

USF scientists develop handheld sensor to debunk fraudulent seafood species claims

Scientists at the University of South Florida's College of Marine Science have developed a handheld sensor capable of debunking fraudulent seafood species claims, helping to ensure that consumers are get what they pay for.

5 Feb 2015

Genomics of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC): an interview with Professor Thomas J. Giordano

There are two types of thyroid cells and therefore there are two broad types of thyroid cancer. Medullary carcinoma is derived from parafollicular or C cells, whereas follicular cells give rise to several types of thyroid cancers.

4 Feb 2015

Parents can pass silenced genes to offspring through a specific mechanism

For more than a century, scientists have understood the basics of inheritance: if good genes help parents survive and reproduce, the parents pass those genes along to their offspring. And yet, recent research has shown that reality is much more complex: genes can be switched off, or silenced, in response to the environment or other factors, and sometimes these changes can be passed from one generation to the next.

4 Feb 2015

TMM journal reviews latest advances in reproductive medicine

The journal Trends in Molecular Medicine reviews the latest advances in reproductive medicine--from mitochondrial replacement therapy to the infant microbiome--with a special issue on "Nurturing the Next Generation," published February 3, 2015.

4 Feb 2015

Study demonstrates therapeutic potential of new class of synthetic oligonucleotides for DMD treatment

Research efforts associating scientists from the CNRS, UVSQ and INSERM within the Laboratoire END-ICAP, working in collaboration with a team from the University of Bern, has demonstrated the therapeutic potential of a new class of synthetic oligonucleotides in the treatment of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) using RNA "surgery".

4 Feb 2015

Two genetic mutations can interact to reduce risk for heart attack

Researchers have determined that two mutations on a single gene can interact in a way that lowers the carrier's risk for a heart attack.

4 Feb 2015

Clusters of gene-blocking microRNAs can limit spread of cancer

Cancers that have spread throughout the body, a process known as metastasis, are difficult, often impossible, to control. They are the leading cause of cancer-related deaths.

4 Feb 2015

Isis announces top-line results from ISIS-PTP1B Rx Phase 2 study in type 2 diabetes patients

Isis Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced today top-line results from a Phase 2 study of ISIS-PTP1B Rx in patients with type 2 diabetes. In the Phase 2 study patients treated with ISIS-PTP1B Rx achieved statistically significant reductions in body weight and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c).

3 Feb 2015

Scientists identify gene mutations that provide better insight into hepatitis-liver cancer link

Using whole genomic sequencing, scientists from RIKEN in Japan have for the first time demonstrated the profound effect that chronic hepatitis infection and inflammation can have on the genetic mutations found in tumors of the liver, potentially paving the way to a better understanding of the mechanisms through which these chronic infections can lead to cancer.

2 Feb 2015

Researchers are developing stress-eating smartphone app with NIH support

Researchers at UMass Medical School and Worcester Polytechnic Institute are developing a stress-eating smartphone app that will help users better understand why they overeat, with the support of a $2 million award from the National Institutes of Health.

2 Feb 2015

ABIVAX doses first HIV positive patient in ABX464 Phase IIa clinical trial

ABIVAX, a leading clinical stage biotech company developing and commercialising anti-viral compounds and human vaccines, today announced that enrolment has been initiated and the first HIV positive patient dosed in a Phase IIa clinical trial of ABX464.

2 Feb 2015

Scientists create largest ever catalogue of biological chimeras

Scientists from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre's Structural Computational Biology Group, led by Alfonso Valencia, are making the largest ever catalogue of biological chimeras available to the public domain.

2 Feb 2015

NEB announces introduction of one-step cloning and multiple DNA fragment assembly

New England Biolabs announces the introduction of the NEBuilder HiFi DNA Assembly Cloning Kit and Master Mix for one-step cloning and multiple DNA fragment assembly in as little as 15 minutes.

From New England Biolabs 31 Jan 2015

RNA News and Research

Further Reading

Discovery leads to new understanding of cancer metastasis

NMR and inhibiting HIV: an interview with Professor Michael Summers

Regulus Therapeutics reports top-line results from RG-101 clinical study for HCV treatment

Investigators develop microbiome map of New York City subway system

New study links cell communication pathway to common brain tumors found in children

Isis receives $10 million from Biogen Idec to begin IND-supporting studies of ISIS-BIIB4 Rx

Recipients of The 2015 Protein Society Awards announced

USF scientists develop handheld sensor to debunk fraudulent seafood species claims

Genomics of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC): an interview with Professor Thomas J. Giordano

Parents can pass silenced genes to offspring through a specific mechanism

TMM journal reviews latest advances in reproductive medicine

Study demonstrates therapeutic potential of new class of synthetic oligonucleotides for DMD treatment

Two genetic mutations can interact to reduce risk for heart attack

Clusters of gene-blocking microRNAs can limit spread of cancer

Isis announces top-line results from ISIS-PTP1B Rx Phase 2 study in type 2 diabetes patients

Scientists identify gene mutations that provide better insight into hepatitis-liver cancer link

Researchers are developing stress-eating smartphone app with NIH support

ABIVAX doses first HIV positive patient in ABX464 Phase IIa clinical trial

Scientists create largest ever catalogue of biological chimeras

NEB announces introduction of one-step cloning and multiple DNA fragment assembly

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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