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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).

Superspreader events trigger emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants in USA

A team of scientists from the USA and Germany has recently studied the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 in a representative set of sequences from the USA collected between 2020 and 2021. The findings reveal that the viral genome has accumulated multiple mutations over time with only occasional loss of mutation. The main driving forces behind such genetic variations include widespread infection and superspreader events.

22 Feb 2021

Disinfectants could be helping bacteria to become resistant

News-Medical speaks to Professor Robert Bragg about disinfectants and how they could be helping bacteria to become resistant.

22 Feb 2021

SARS-CoV-2 DNA vaccine tested in animal model

A team of experts has tested the immune responses elicited by mucosal homologous plasmid and a heterologous immunization strategy using a plasmid vaccine and a Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) antigens.

21 Feb 2021

Researchers use functional test to measure the effect of inherited variants in BRCA2 cancer gene

Researchers at Mayo Clinic have combined results from a functional test measuring the effect of inherited variants in the BRCA2 breast and ovarian cancer gene with clinical information from women who received genetic testing to determine the clinical importance of many BRCA2 variants of uncertain significance (VUS).

20 Feb 2021

Scientists describe genetic mechanisms behind mating process of ciliates

Conjugation (or mating) of ciliates is a unique phenomenon among living beings. They have sex not for reproduction or pleasure — they seek to increase genetic variation.

20 Feb 2021

Direct cloning method aims to accelerate large-scale discovery of novel natural products

Microorganisms possess natural product biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) that may harbor unique bioactivities for use in drug development and agricultural applications.

20 Feb 2021

Highly sensitive blood test for cancer wins 2021 Top 10 Clinical Research Achievement Award

Cancer biologists at Weill Cornell Medicine have been awarded a 2021 Top 10 Clinical Research Achievement Award from the Clinical Research Forum for their study last year describing a highly sensitive blood test for monitoring cancer progression and relapse.

20 Feb 2021

Study: Longevity gene protects brain stem cells from the harmful effects of stress

A gene linked to unusually long lifespans in humans protects brain stem cells from the harmful effects of stress, according to a new study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators.

20 Feb 2021

Transforming immune killer T-cells into 'super soldiers' to fight against cancer

Creating "super soldiers" of specific white blood cells to boost an anti-tumour response has been shown in a series of elegant experiments by Princess Margaret researchers.

20 Feb 2021

Researchers seek to develop new cell culture technique to replace animal testing

While many studies take place in a petri glass in toxicology research, for some processes there is still a need for animal components such as serum or liver cell tissue.

20 Feb 2021

Companies pan for marketing gold in vaccines

For a decade, Jennifer Crow has taken care of her elderly parents, who have multiple sclerosis. After her father had a stroke in December, the family got serious in its conversations with a retirement community — and learned that one service it offered was covid-19 vaccination.

19 Feb 2021

Uninherited genetic mutations can cause spina bifida

Genetic mutations which occur naturally during the earliest stages of an embryo's development can cause the severe birth defect spina bifida, finds a new experimental study in mice led by UCL scientists.

19 Feb 2021

Study of newlyweds suggests a possible genetic link to marriage satisfaction

Variation in a specific gene could be related to traits that are beneficial to bonding and relationship satisfaction in the first years of a marriage, according to a new study by a University of Arkansas psychologist.

18 Feb 2021

Polycomb complexes found to be essential for proper skin development

Mount Sinai researchers have discovered that Polycomb complexes, groups of proteins that maintain gene expression patterns, are essential for proper skin development, according to a paper published in Genes & Development on February 18.

18 Feb 2021

Analyzing short strands of cell-free DNA in urine could help detect early-stage cancer

Urinalysis has long been a staple of physical exams to detect and manage a number of diseases and disorders, but not cancer.

18 Feb 2021

Study reveals genetic signature of colibactin implicated in the development colorectal cancers

Escherichia coli bacteria are constitutive members of the human gut microbiota. However, some strains produce a genotoxin called colibactin, which is implicated in the development of colorectal cancer.

18 Feb 2021

New proton therapy targets treatment-resistant cancer cells

Mayo Clinic researchers have developed a novel proton therapy technique to more specifically target cancer cells that resist other forms of treatment.

18 Feb 2021

Advancements in DNA vaccines against COVID-19

The rapid spread of the pathogen and the increasing number of cases highlight the need for an effective and safe vaccine. As vaccination efforts roll out in many countries, new types of vaccines, like deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) vaccines, are under research..

17 Feb 2021

Study sheds light on pathological characteristics behind sudden cardiac death

Nearly a half-million people a year die from sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the U.S. -- the result of malfunctions in the heart's electrical system.

17 Feb 2021

Researchers find a way to improve deletion efficiency of new genome-editing tool

CRISPR deletion (CRISPR-del) is a new genome editing tool that can delete or cut out certain pieces of DNA in living cells with surgical precision.

17 Feb 2021

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Superspreader events trigger emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants in USA

Disinfectants could be helping bacteria to become resistant

SARS-CoV-2 DNA vaccine tested in animal model

Researchers use functional test to measure the effect of inherited variants in BRCA2 cancer gene

Scientists describe genetic mechanisms behind mating process of ciliates

Direct cloning method aims to accelerate large-scale discovery of novel natural products

Highly sensitive blood test for cancer wins 2021 Top 10 Clinical Research Achievement Award

Study: Longevity gene protects brain stem cells from the harmful effects of stress

Transforming immune killer T-cells into 'super soldiers' to fight against cancer

Researchers seek to develop new cell culture technique to replace animal testing

Companies pan for marketing gold in vaccines

Uninherited genetic mutations can cause spina bifida

Study of newlyweds suggests a possible genetic link to marriage satisfaction

Polycomb complexes found to be essential for proper skin development

Analyzing short strands of cell-free DNA in urine could help detect early-stage cancer

Study reveals genetic signature of colibactin implicated in the development colorectal cancers

New proton therapy targets treatment-resistant cancer cells

Advancements in DNA vaccines against COVID-19

Study sheds light on pathological characteristics behind sudden cardiac death

Researchers find a way to improve deletion efficiency of new genome-editing tool

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