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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).

Understanding hereditary medulloblastomas in children

This is a combined press release between EMBL, the Hopp Children's Cancer Center Heidelberg and the German Cancer Consortium.

1 Apr 2020

Inherited gene mutation can predispose children to SHH medulloblastoma

Investigators at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the European Molecular Biology Laboratory, and the German Cancer Research Center have identified ELP1 as a novel predisposition gene in the SHH subgroup of pediatric medulloblastoma.

1 Apr 2020

Researchers develop new PCR system for detection of SARS-CoV-2 virus

Michael Traugott and the spin-off company Sinsoma GmbH, together with the Departments of Zoology and Microbiology at the University of Innsbruck, are developing a new PCR system for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

1 Apr 2020

Pancreatitis drug Nafamostat shows promise for coronavirus

With the increasing number of infections across the globe, scientists have resorted to studying existing drugs in the hope of discovering a cure for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). A team of researchers has found that an existing drug, Nafamostat or Fusan, a drug used to treat acute pancreatitis, may effectively block the process used by the novel coronavirus to spread and cause illness.

1 Apr 2020

Study identifies three unknown genetic mechanisms that cause myopia

Three previously unknown genetic mechanisms have been discovered in causing myopia otherwise known as short or near-sightedness, finds a new study.

1 Apr 2020

Scientists unravel a new mechanism that triggers cell death and inflammation

Z-form nucleic acids are double-stranded DNA and RNA molecules with an unusual left-handed double helix structure, as opposed to the classical right-handed Watson-Crick double helix. Z-nucleic acids were discovered more than 40 years ago, but their biological function has remained poorly understood.

31 Mar 2020

NIH researchers identify a second gene that causes melorheostosis

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health have discovered a second gene that causes melorheostosis, a rare group of conditions involving an often painful and disfiguring overgrowth of bone tissue.

31 Mar 2020

Cobra Biologics and Karolinska Institutet join forces to develop DNA vaccine against COVID-19

Cobra Biologics, an international CDMO for biologics and pharmaceuticals, and the Karolinska Institutet, one of the world’s leading medical universities, today announced they have been awarded €3 million emergency funding by Horizon 2020 for research and development, and phase I clinical trial testing of a DNA vaccine against COVID-19, as part of the OPENCORONA consortium to support global efforts tackling the pandemic.

31 Mar 2020

Novel approach to DNA synthesis could help tackle COVID-19 pandemic

Synthetic biology, and particularly DNA synthesis, is transforming diagnosis and treatment of disease, and may yet play a key role in halting the COVID-19 pandemic.

31 Mar 2020

New blood test detects more than 50 types of cancer, including at early, more treatable stages

Researchers have developed a simple blood test that can detect over 50 types of cancer, often before signs or symptoms.

31 Mar 2020

Her genetic test revealed a microscopic problem — and a jumbo price tag

Michelle Kuppersmith, 32, feels great, works full time and exercises three to four times a week. So she was surprised when a routine blood test found that her body was making too many platelets, which help control bleeding.

31 Mar 2020

Taylor & Francis launches new multidisciplinary Open Access journal

Launching today, a new multidisciplinary Open Access journal is set to revolutionise how authors - looking to tackle some of the biggest issues facing the world - can publish their research with Taylor & Francis.

31 Mar 2020

Large-scale research into risk factors for COVID-19 begins in Northern Netherlands

This week, large-scale research into the risk factors for the coronavirus COVID-19 is being started in the Northern Netherlands.

30 Mar 2020

New blood test accurately detects more than 50 types of cancer

Researchers have developed a blood test that could accurately detect up to 50 types of cancers, and some of these detections could be even before the symptoms appear. The test would help physicians detect the origin or the source of cancer within the body explain the researchers from the European Society of Oncology. The study titled, "Sensitive and specific multi-cancer detection and localization using methylation signatures in cell-free DNA," was published in the latest issue of the journal Annals of Oncology.

30 Mar 2020