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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).

Scientists uncover why developing nerve cells take a wrong turn

A group of scientists from CECAD, the Cluster of Excellence 'Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-Associated Diseases,' have found a mechanism by which neurodevelopmental diseases concerning neurons can be explained: The loss of a certain enzyme, UBE2K, impeded the differentiation of stem cells by silencing the expression of genes important for neuronal differentiation and, therefore, the development and generation of neurons.

3 Jun 2020

New advance addresses a big challenge with using CRISPR in cancer patients

A mutation unique to certain cancer tumors is a potential homing beacon for safely deploying CRISPR gene editing enzymes to disarm DNA that makes cancer cells resistant to treatment, while ignoring the gene in normal cells where it's critical to healthy function, according to a new study from ChristianaCare's Gene Editing Institute in the journal Molecular Cancer Research.

2 Jun 2020

Terahertz radiation may offer a potential treatment for cancer

Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Advanced Photonics and collaborators have discovered that terahertz radiation, contradicting conventional belief, can disrupt proteins in living cells without killing the cells.

2 Jun 2020

Fraunhofer researchers investigate the mechanisms of metastasis formation

What makes tumor cells turn murderous? The Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine ITEM is investigating the mechanisms of metastasis formation - and searching for approaches for new treatments in the fight against cancer.

2 Jun 2020

Researchers identify genetic codes of COVID-19 and SARS viruses that may promote their lifecycles

Researchers have identified specific portions of the genetic codes of the COVID-19 and SARS viruses that may promote the viruses' lifecycles. The new technique is researchers' first tool for determining what genetic sequences stored as RNA - DNA's chemical cousin - are more stable.

2 Jun 2020

Blood test may predict a patient’s response to prostate cancer treatment

A team of researchers at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London found that the test can detect traces of cancer DNA in the bloodstream. The liquid biopsy could also identify the patients who are more likely to relapse.

1 Jun 2020

Study resolves contradictions surrounding p53 gene's role in pluripotent stem cell differentiation

The gene p53 is extremely important in cell biology and, hence, the world of cell replacement therapy. Its role is to regulate the cell cycle and halt the formation of tumors, leading to its nickname the "tumor suppressor gene."

1 Jun 2020

Study reveals how essential SARS-CoV-2 protein can be stabilized and scaled for production

A research group from the University of Texas in Austin described a high-yield production of a stabilized severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) spike protein (S-protein) that may accelerate the development of vaccines and diagnostic tests. This methodological 'tour de force' paper is currently available on the bioRxiv* preprint server.

1 Jun 2020

Researchers discover genetic cause of 'differences in sexual development'

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute, the Institut Pasteur and their clinical collaborators have identified a cause of testicular tissue developing in people with female chromosomes.

1 Jun 2020

Genetic screening could be effective at detecting undiagnosed cases of prostate cancer

Genetic screening for prostate cancer in GP surgeries could be effective at picking up otherwise undiagnosed cases of the disease, a new pilot study shows.

31 May 2020

University of Freiburg receives 30 million euros for excellent research

The German Research Foundation has approved a new proposal for a collaborative research center under the leadership of the Institute for Experimental Cardiovascular Medicine at the University Heart Centre Freiburg · Bad Krozingen.

30 May 2020

Immunotherapy doubles progression-free survival time of patients with advanced bowel cancer

A large international trial involving UCL and University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) has found that pembrolizumab, a form of immunotherapy, more than doubled the 'progression free survival' time of patients with a specific subtype of advanced bowel cancer, when compared with chemotherapy.

30 May 2020

Scientists identify factors influencing outcomes in kidney cancer patients treated with immunotherapy

By analyzing tumors from patients treated with immunotherapy for advanced kidney cancer in three clinical trials, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute scientists have identified several features of the tumors that influence their response to immune checkpoint inhibitor drugs.

30 May 2020

Scientists track SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater

Epidemiologist David Larsen, from Syracuse University and microbiologists Hyatt Green, from the College of Environmental Science and Forestry and Frank Middleton, from Upstate Medical University are lead members of a multi-institution research project that is expected to have global application in future efforts to track and contain Sudden Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

30 May 2020

Columbia engineers develop novel technique to study how tissues flow in the embryo

As embryos develop, tissues flow and reorganize dramatically on timescales as brief as minutes. This reorganization includes epithelial tissues that cover outer surfaces and inner linings of organs and blood vessels.

30 May 2020

The ‘eureka moment’ of rapid COVID-19 test inventor

The inventor of a ground-breaking COVID-19 test described his ‘eureka moment’ when he realised he could adapt existing tech to create a rapid virus test.

30 May 2020

Toshiba and Shinshu University jointly develop a 'tumor-tropic liposome technology' for gene therapy

Toshiba Corporation and a team led by Professor Yozo Nakazawa at the Department of Pediatrics, Shinshu University, have together developed a “tumor-tropic liposome technology” for gene therapy. The technology uses unique, nano-sized biodegradable liposomes developed by Toshiba to accurately and efficiently deliver therapeutic genes to targeted cancer cells, and achieves safer gene delivery than viruses used as carriers.

30 May 2020

New genetic engineering technique sets the stage for advances in medicine and beyond

From bacteria-made insulin that obviates the use of animal pancreases to a better understanding of infectious diseases and improved treatments, genetic engineering of bacteria has redefined modern medicine. Yet, serious limitations remain that hamper| progress in numerous other areas.

30 May 2020

UMSOM scientists develop experimental rapid diagnostic test for COVID-19

Scientists from the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) developed an experimental diagnostic test for COVID-19 that can visually detect the presence of the virus in 10 minutes.

29 May 2020

Using gene therapy to help the body to make its own cancer drugs

Imagine that we could instruct our bodies to make the drugs they need themselves. The gene technology that makes this possible is called mRNA therapy, which may become a major tool in the treatment of multiple diseases.

29 May 2020

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Scientists uncover why developing nerve cells take a wrong turn

New advance addresses a big challenge with using CRISPR in cancer patients

Terahertz radiation may offer a potential treatment for cancer

Fraunhofer researchers investigate the mechanisms of metastasis formation

Researchers identify genetic codes of COVID-19 and SARS viruses that may promote their lifecycles

Blood test may predict a patient’s response to prostate cancer treatment

Study resolves contradictions surrounding p53 gene's role in pluripotent stem cell differentiation

Study reveals how essential SARS-CoV-2 protein can be stabilized and scaled for production

Researchers discover genetic cause of 'differences in sexual development'

Genetic screening could be effective at detecting undiagnosed cases of prostate cancer

University of Freiburg receives 30 million euros for excellent research

Immunotherapy doubles progression-free survival time of patients with advanced bowel cancer

Scientists identify factors influencing outcomes in kidney cancer patients treated with immunotherapy

Scientists track SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater

Columbia engineers develop novel technique to study how tissues flow in the embryo

The ‘eureka moment’ of rapid COVID-19 test inventor

Toshiba and Shinshu University jointly develop a 'tumor-tropic liposome technology' for gene therapy

New genetic engineering technique sets the stage for advances in medicine and beyond

UMSOM scientists develop experimental rapid diagnostic test for COVID-19

Using gene therapy to help the body to make its own cancer drugs

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

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