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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).

Researchers link “genetic signatures” of bacteria in the human gut to multiple diseases

We are truly never alone, not even within our own bodies. Human beings play host to trillions of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microorganisms that make up the human microbiome.

18 May 2021

Researchers investigate immune molecule that helps protect transplanted kidneys

Looking to improve organ transplant success, researchers are working to learn more about how an immune molecule, which also protects a fetus, helps protect some transplanted kidneys, and to develop a synthetic version of that molecule that could help more patients.

18 May 2021

A promising drug delivery system for therapeutics that shut down harmful genes

Viruses attack the body by sending their genetic code -- DNA and RNA -- into cells and multiplying. A promising class of therapeutics that uses synthetic nucleic acids to target and shut down specific, harmful genes and prevent viruses from spreading is gaining steam.

18 May 2021

New focus on adverse impact of male factors in assisted reproductive treatments

The adverse impact of male factors in assisted reproductive treatments was brought into a clear and disturbing focus at the 10th Congress of the Asia Pacific Initiative on Reproduction.

17 May 2021

Genomic study tracks the rise of multidrug resistant E.coli

Antibiotic resistance in E.coli has been steadily increasing since the early 2000s despite attempts to control it, a new study suggests.

17 May 2021

Nanopore analysis identifies pseudouridine modifications in SARS-CoV-2

In a paper recently uploaded to the preprint server bioRxiv* by Fleming, Mathewson & Burrows (May 10th, 2021), nanopore devices are developed that allow identification of the passage of pseudouridine through a protein sensor. This further allowed the group to identify five conserved pseudouridine sites on the 3’ end of SARS-CoV-2 sub-genomic RNAs, which could potentially be beneficial to the virus in immune evasion.

17 May 2021

Phase 2 trial shows INO-4800 SARS-CoV-2 DNA vaccine safe and tolerable in adults

Preliminary clinical trial results from an ongoing Phase 2/3 trial led by Laurent M. Humeau of Inovio Pharmaceuticals suggest the two-dose INO-4800 vaccine is safe for use in adults of varying ages. The results expand on phase 1 trial results that found the vaccine was safe and tolerable in 38 participants.

16 May 2021

Groundbreaking study optimizes patient's own immune system to fight tumors

A groundbreaking study led by engineering and medical researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities shows how engineered immune cells used in new cancer therapies can overcome physical barriers to allow a patient's own immune system to fight tumors.

14 May 2021

What can ancient feces tell us about the evolution of the human gut microbiome?

Researchers at the Section on Pathophysiology and Molecular Pharmacology, Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, Massachusetts, analyzed microbial DNA found in indigenous human paleofeces (desiccated excrement) from dry caves in northern Mexico and Utah. They found that the ancient human gut microbiome is similar to those of modern-day people from non-industrialized populations.

14 May 2021

SARS-CoV-2 virus uses a multipronged strategy to avoid detection by the immune system

Severe symptoms of COVID-19, leading often to death, are thought to result from the patient's own acute immune response rather than from damage inflicted directly by the virus.

13 May 2021

Ancient people had far different microorganisms in their guts than modern humans

Only an anthropologist would treasure millennia-old human feces found in dry caves. Just ask Dr. Meradeth Snow, a University of Montana researcher and co-chair of UM's Department of Anthropology.

13 May 2021

Researchers identify six “words” used by specific immune cells to call up immune defense genes

UCLA life scientists have identified six "words" that specific immune cells use to call up immune defense genes -- an important step toward understanding the language the body uses to marshal responses to threats.

13 May 2021

Scientists unveil new Ebola virus vaccine design

Scientists at Scripps Research have unveiled a new Ebola virus vaccine design, which they say has several advantages over standard vaccine approaches for Ebola and related viruses that continue to threaten global health.

13 May 2021

Scientists find dramatic differences between ancient gut microbiomes and modern microbes

Scientists are rapidly gathering evidence that variants of gut microbiomes, the collections of bacteria and other microbes in our digestive systems, may play harmful roles in diabetes and other diseases.

12 May 2021

New method to efficiently deliver drugs into cells

A new, patented method called Progressive Mechanoporation makes it possible to mechanically disrupt the membranes of cells for a short time period and let drugs or genes inside cells.

12 May 2021

Study examines a pathway responsible for the formation of tau tangles in the brain

Since the discovery of Alzheimer's disease over a century ago, two hallmarks of the devastating illness have taken center stage.

12 May 2021

A new method for efficient and automated production of synthetic DNA

Chemically synthesized short DNA sequences are extremely important ingredients with countless uses in research laboratories, hospitals, and in industry, like in the method for identifying COVID-19.

12 May 2021

Study examines the connection between human gut microbiota and health, mortality

The study conducted by the University of Turku and the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare together with an international research team is so far the largest population-level study in the world examining the connection between human gut microbiota and health and mortality in the following decades.

12 May 2021

CNIO researchers unravel why motor neurons die in ALS patients

In Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), the progressive death of neurons that control body movement leads to paralysis of muscles in the limbs and gradually of the whole body, which ultimately makes it impossible to breathe. ALS is currently untreatable, and its cause is unknown.

12 May 2021

Sepsis can cause alterations in the functioning of defense cells that lead to death

An article published in Frontiers in Immunology suggests that sepsis can cause alterations in the functioning of defense cells that persist even after the patient is discharged from hospital.

12 May 2021

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Researchers link “genetic signatures” of bacteria in the human gut to multiple diseases

Researchers investigate immune molecule that helps protect transplanted kidneys

A promising drug delivery system for therapeutics that shut down harmful genes

New focus on adverse impact of male factors in assisted reproductive treatments

Genomic study tracks the rise of multidrug resistant E.coli

Nanopore analysis identifies pseudouridine modifications in SARS-CoV-2

Phase 2 trial shows INO-4800 SARS-CoV-2 DNA vaccine safe and tolerable in adults

Groundbreaking study optimizes patient's own immune system to fight tumors

What can ancient feces tell us about the evolution of the human gut microbiome?

SARS-CoV-2 virus uses a multipronged strategy to avoid detection by the immune system

Ancient people had far different microorganisms in their guts than modern humans

Researchers identify six “words” used by specific immune cells to call up immune defense genes

Scientists unveil new Ebola virus vaccine design

Scientists find dramatic differences between ancient gut microbiomes and modern microbes

New method to efficiently deliver drugs into cells

Study examines a pathway responsible for the formation of tau tangles in the brain

A new method for efficient and automated production of synthetic DNA

Study examines the connection between human gut microbiota and health, mortality

CNIO researchers unravel why motor neurons die in ALS patients

Sepsis can cause alterations in the functioning of defense cells that lead to death

eBook: Exploring the Cell Cycle and DNA Damage and Repair eBook

How can microdialysis benefit drug development

Global and Local Efforts to Take Action Against Hepatitis

Addressing Important Cardiac Biology Questions with Shotgun Top-Down Proteomics

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