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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 develop switch that can control genome editing

Researchers have developed a biological switch that reliably triggers protein expression and enables the control of genome editing tools.

3 Jul 2018

Mayo researchers determine how DNA repair protein gets to the site of damage

Damage to DNA is a daily occurrence but one that human cells have evolved to manage. Now, in a new paper published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, Mayo researchers have determined how one DNA repair protein gets to the site of DNA damage. The authors say they hope this discovery research will help identify new therapies for ovarian cancer.

3 Jul 2018

Compounds found in green tea and red wine offer hope to treat inborn congenital metabolic diseases

A new Tel Aviv University study suggests there is hope of treating certain inborn congenital metabolic diseases -- a hope found in green tea and in red wine.

2 Jul 2018

Novel sensing technology enables live and super-sensitive monitoring of biomarkers

The human body is an extremely complex molecular machine, the details of which can be followed through certain substances; so-called biomarkers.

2 Jul 2018

Antioxidants do not improve sperm quality in infertile men, finds study

A large clinical trial has shown that daily antioxidant supplementation among men with infertility does not make a difference to the quality of their sperm.

2 Jul 2018

Discovery may be key to directly reprogram non-neuronal cells into neurons

It was already in 2012 that a team of scientists headed by Professor Benedikt Berninger first succeeded in reprogramming connective tissue cells present in the brain into neurons.

2 Jul 2018

Cilia appears to play key role in formation of melanoma

Most cells in the human body have a cilium, a slender cell protuberance that picks up signals from the cell's external environment.

2 Jul 2018

PMDA approves use of LYNPARZA in patients with BRCA-mutated breast cancer

AstraZeneca and Merck, known as MSD outside the United States and Canada, today announced that Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency has approved LYNPARZA tablets for use in patients with unresectable or recurrent BRCA-mutated, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 -negative breast cancer who have received prior chemotherapy.

2 Jul 2018

Simple DNA test can predict risk of bad side effects to thiopurine drugs

Screening a tiny section of DNA could help East Asian patients avoid severe reactions to some medications.

2 Jul 2018

Streamlining and translating basic science discoveries into the clinic

To make sure that good ideas to enhance healthcare are not lost due to a lack of resources, a growing number of centers at Penn Medicine organize forums to pitch ideas to improve medical devices and technology, hold annual competitions to fund studies to improve patient care while keeping costs down, and sponsor seed grants for programs focused on patients who need individualized tailoring of their treatment.

2 Jul 2018

Researchers develop inexpensive blood test to diagnose hepatitis B patients

A simple $20 blood test could help diagnose thousands of patients with hepatitis B in need of treatment in some of Africa's poorest regions.

2 Jul 2018

Timing may be key to evading destruction for bacteria facing antibiotics

For bacteria facing a dose of antibiotics, timing might be the key to evading destruction. In a series of experiments, Princeton researchers found that cells that repaired DNA damaged by antibiotics before resuming growth had a much better chance of surviving treatment.

30 Jun 2018

New computational method improves ability to track spread of cancer cells

Princeton researchers have developed a new computational method that increases the ability to track the spread of cancer cells from one part of the body to another.

30 Jun 2018

City of Hope receives $3.7 million from CIRM to develop phase 1 glioblastoma trial

The California Institute for Regenerative Medicine board has awarded City of Hope $3.7 million to develop a phase 1 clinical trial for glioblastoma patients that will genetically engineer their stem cells to better tolerate chemotherapy's side effects, allowing them to receive higher doses of the therapy.

30 Jun 2018

Study: Administration of endocrine disruptor causes epigenetic changes in pregnant sow's DNA

The public debate on endocrine disrupting chemicals- exogenous substances that have the same or similar effects as endogenous hormones - has been going on for some time.

30 Jun 2018

Research shows why new cancer therapies fail to work on some patients

University of Otago research provides insights into an underlying mechanism that could explain why new cancer therapies to help treat metastatic melanoma do not always work on patients, paving the way for predicting which patients will benefit from certain drugs.

30 Jun 2018