DNA News and Research

RSS

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).

New technique accurately predicts which melanomas are likely to recur and spread

For most patients, melanoma begins with a small, pigmented spot on their skin that they notice starts to change.

20 Jan 2020

Fight for Sight funds research to investigate genetic risk of age-related macular degeneration

Eye research charity Fight for Sight is funding researchers from the University of Manchester to investigate the genetic risk of the UK’s leading cause of blindness, age-related macular degeneration.

20 Jan 2020

New melanoma test may better predict recurrence and improve patient care

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital have developed a new technique that improves on the current method for assessing whether primary melanoma is likely to recur and spread, following surgical removal.

20 Jan 2020

Researchers discover new regions of non-coding DNA that may lead to cancer growth

In an unprecedented pan-cancer analysis of whole genomes, researchers at the Ontario Institute for Cancer Research have discovered new regions of non-coding DNA that, when altered, may lead to cancer growth and progression.

17 Jan 2020

Microbiome DNA signature present in human fetal lungs

The lungs and placentas of fetuses in the womb -- as young as 11 weeks after conception -- already show a bacterial microbiome signature, which suggests that bacteria may colonize the lungs well before birth.

17 Jan 2020

Inexpensive drug may be used to counteract treatment resistance in patients with leukemia

A common and inexpensive drug may be used to counteract treatment resistance in patients with acute myeloid leukemia, one of the most common forms of blood cancer.

17 Jan 2020

Genetically engineered mosquitoes halt Dengue spread

A new study published in the journal PLOS Pathogens in January 2020 reports the development of mosquitoes that have been genetically modified to resist infection by several types of the dengue virus. This is the first time ever that all types of the virus have been targeted by the engineering of the mosquito DNA. Covering all virus types is essential to achieve proper disease control.

16 Jan 2020

"Jumping genes" within eggs determine their survival

Females are born with a finite supply of eggs and with age the genetic quality of the eggs decline say researchers from Carnegie Institute. The study from researchers Marla Tharp, Safia Malki, and Alex Bortvin was published in the latest issue of Nature Communications. The study was titled, “Maximizing the ovarian reserve in mice by evading LINE-1 genotoxicity.”

16 Jan 2020

Air pollution plus early life stress may lead to cognitive difficulties in children

Children with elevated exposure to early life stress in the home and elevated prenatal exposure to air pollution exhibited heightened symptoms of attention and thought problems, according to researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and Columbia Psychiatry.

16 Jan 2020

3D structure of DNA is 'rewired' in hormone-resistant ER+ breast cancers

Epigenetic changes occur in the DNA of breast cancer cells that have developed a resistance to hormone therapy, an effective treatment for ER+ breast cancer, which accounts for 70% of all diagnoses.

16 Jan 2020

Research shows how the body tries to eliminate egg cells of poorest quality

A woman's supply of eggs is finite, so it is crucial that the quality of their genetic material is ensured. New work from Carnegie's Marla Tharp, Safia Malki, and Alex Bortvin elucidates a mechanism by which, even before birth, the body tries to eliminate egg cells of the poorest quality.

16 Jan 2020

Harmful genetic mutations in healthy donors' stem cells may create problems in AML patients

A stem cell transplant - also called a bone marrow transplant - is a common treatment for blood cancers, such as acute myeloid leukemia.

16 Jan 2020

'Methylation clock' gene found to have functional role in aging of the eye

A lengthy-named gene called Elongation of Very Long Chain Fatty Acids Protein 2 or ELOVL2 is an established biomarker of age.

16 Jan 2020

BPA activates immune response in mice that persists for at least three generations

Some plastic food and beverage containers still contain bisphenol A, which can mimic the hormone estrogen. Although experts say that small amounts of BPA detected in foods are unlikely to cause problems, some people worry that constant low-level exposures could have health effects, especially for developing fetuses, infants and children.

16 Jan 2020

Immune system contribution to tumor heterogeneity may influence liver cancer growth

Researchers at Mount Sinai School of Medicine say the immune system might contribute to the tumor heterogeneity seen in liver cancer that can affect the rate of cancer growth.

15 Jan 2020

Unique tool to democratize entry into the field of nanopore research

A nanopore is a tiny hole in a thin membrane with a diameter of around a billionth of a meter, or about the width of a single DNA molecule.

14 Jan 2020

Study shows how treatment resistance develops in patients with bile duct cancer

A new study led by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute shows how resistance to a promising targeted drug develops in patients with a rare, lethal cancer of the bile ducts called cholangiocarcinoma.

14 Jan 2020

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

New technique accurately predicts which melanomas are likely to recur and spread

Fight for Sight funds research to investigate genetic risk of age-related macular degeneration

New melanoma test may better predict recurrence and improve patient care

Researchers discover new regions of non-coding DNA that may lead to cancer growth

Microbiome DNA signature present in human fetal lungs

Inexpensive drug may be used to counteract treatment resistance in patients with leukemia

Genetically engineered mosquitoes halt Dengue spread

"Jumping genes" within eggs determine their survival

Air pollution plus early life stress may lead to cognitive difficulties in children

3D structure of DNA is 'rewired' in hormone-resistant ER+ breast cancers

Research shows how the body tries to eliminate egg cells of poorest quality

Harmful genetic mutations in healthy donors' stem cells may create problems in AML patients

'Methylation clock' gene found to have functional role in aging of the eye

BPA activates immune response in mice that persists for at least three generations

Immune system contribution to tumor heterogeneity may influence liver cancer growth

Unique tool to democratize entry into the field of nanopore research

Study shows how treatment resistance develops in patients with bile duct cancer

Skin-protecting antibody may promote tumor growth during chronic tissue inflammation

Bath scientists identify promising route to develop new treatments for skin cancer

Probiotic drink could offer novel way to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria

eBook: A guide to RNA sequencing eBook

Leveraging the power of automation to boost research

Automating research - solutions and best practices

How can microdialysis benefit drug development

Latest Life Science News