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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).

UBC researchers unveil representative of most abundant giant viruses in the sea

Bodo saltans virus, the first isolated representative of the most abundant giant viruses in the sea, has been unveiled by researchers at the University of British Columbia.

29 Mar 2018

High levels of humanin protein found in placenta of women who delivered low-birthweight babies

For the first time, UCLA scientists have discovered higher levels of a protein called humanin in the placenta tissue of women who give birth to severely underweight infants.

28 Mar 2018

Phase I clinical trial of HIV vaccines to begin in the U.S.

A Phase I clinical trial testing the safety of vaccines that might have the potential to prevent HIV infection will begin this month at four sites in the United States, marking the latest step in a three-decade quest at UMass Medical School to harness the power of DNA vaccines in addressing a major global health threat.

28 Mar 2018

Researchers highlight the need to reconsider mitochondrial replacement moratorium

Mothers with mitochondrial DNA mutations often give birth to children who face incurable and fatal illnesses. But a much-studied form of mitochondrial replacement could prevent the transmission of such diseases from mothers to children, researchers say.

28 Mar 2018

Largest-ever study uncovers new genetic contributors to stroke

An international research group, including scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, studying 520,000 people from around the world has identified 22 new genetic risk factors for stroke, tripling the number of gene regions known to affect stroke risk.

28 Mar 2018

Biophysical mechanism involving spaghetti-like proteins helps cells avoid 'data breaches'

Cells can avoid "data breaches" when letting signaling proteins into their nuclei thanks to a quirky biophysical mechanism involving a blur of spaghetti-like proteins, researchers from the Rockefeller University and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine have shown.

28 Mar 2018

Study provides insights into how male germ cells avoid genome instability

A group of researchers at Osaka University reported the function of GTSF1 in male germ cells. The study, which can be read in EMBO Reports, shows that GTSF1 is an essential factor for secondary piRNA biogenesis by regulating piRNA-mediated cleavage of target RNA.

28 Mar 2018

EPFL researchers uncover how the circadian clock regulates 3D chromatin structure

EPFL biologists and geneticists have uncovered how the circadian clock orchestrates the 24-hour cycle of gene expression by regulating the structure of chromatin, the tightly wound DNA-protein complex of the cell. The work is published in Genes & Development.

28 Mar 2018

FDA-approved inhibitors could be repurposed to target ARID1A-mutant ovarian cancers

Wistar researchers have found rationale for repurposing a class of antitumor compounds called HDAC inhibitors, already approved by the FDA for the treatment of diseases such as leukemia, as a new therapeutic option for ovarian cancer with mutations in the ARID1A gene.

27 Mar 2018

Scientists use CRISPR to develop a genome surveillance tool

Scientists have converted CRISPR/Cas9 into a genome surveillance tool, in an effort to develop a more effective way of fighting disease.

27 Mar 2018

Study identifies genetic factors linked to severity of acute viral bronchiolitis

A scientific study conducted at the State University of Campinas (UNICAMP) in São Paulo State, Brazil, has identified genetic factors associated with the severity of acute viral bronchiolitis. The study was supported by the Sao Paulo Research Foundation - FAPESP. Its results were published in the journal Gene.

27 Mar 2018

MSU scientists test promising drug to prevent cancer in high-risk patients

Michigan State University scientists are testing a promising drug that may stop a gene associated with obesity from triggering breast and lung cancer, as well as prevent these cancers from growing.

27 Mar 2018

Antibody sweeps away Alzheimer's plaques in mice

Years before people start showing characteristic symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, sticky plaques begin forming in their brains, damaging nearby cells. For decades, doctors have sought ways to clear out these plaques as a way to prevent or treat the disease.

27 Mar 2018

New analysis describes how childhood obesity 'pandemic' promotes cancer

A Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine researcher has compiled evidence from more than 100 publications to show how obesity increases risk of 13 different cancers in young adults.

26 Mar 2018

Researchers develop comprehensive map of genetic risk factors for stroke

Stroke is a serious disease affecting blood flow to and from the brain, and is the second leading cause of death worldwide. Stroke is characterized by a sudden onset of neurological dysfunction, caused by a blood clot or hemorrhage in a cerebral artery. While many genetic variants and lifestyle behaviors have been identified as risk factors for stroke, the genetic basis for the disease is unknown.

26 Mar 2018

Researchers probe RNA epigenetics and chromatin structures to predict drug resistance in leukemia

Drug resistance is a major obstacle to effective treatment for patients with cancer and leukemia. Epigenetic modifying drugs have been proven effective for some patients with hematologic malignancies, such as myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

23 Mar 2018

Foil-based measuring chip rapidly detects Legionella

In an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease, finding the exact source as quickly as possible is essential to preventing further infections. To date, a standard analysis takes days. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich have now developed a rapid test that achieves the same result in about 35 minutes.

23 Mar 2018

New test for urothelial cancers offers less invasive, more accurate detection

A new test for urothelial cancers could detect mutations in DNA that have been identified for those cancers earlier than traditional tests. The earlier detection of urothelial cancer could lead to earlier treatment, and potentially better outcomes for patients.

23 Mar 2018

New study identifies key cellular mechanisms behind vascular aging in mice

We are as old as our arteries, the adage goes, so could reversing the aging of blood vessels hold the key to restoring youthful vitality? The answer appears to be yes, at least in mice, according to a new study led by investigators at Harvard Medical School.

22 Mar 2018

Novel vaccine technologies can help better prepare for future infectious disease threats

Novel vaccine technologies are critical to improving the public health response to infectious disease threats that continually emerge and re-emerge, according to scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health.

22 Mar 2018

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

UBC researchers unveil representative of most abundant giant viruses in the sea

High levels of humanin protein found in placenta of women who delivered low-birthweight babies

Phase I clinical trial of HIV vaccines to begin in the U.S.

Researchers highlight the need to reconsider mitochondrial replacement moratorium

Largest-ever study uncovers new genetic contributors to stroke

Biophysical mechanism involving spaghetti-like proteins helps cells avoid 'data breaches'

Study provides insights into how male germ cells avoid genome instability

EPFL researchers uncover how the circadian clock regulates 3D chromatin structure

FDA-approved inhibitors could be repurposed to target ARID1A-mutant ovarian cancers

Scientists use CRISPR to develop a genome surveillance tool

Study identifies genetic factors linked to severity of acute viral bronchiolitis

MSU scientists test promising drug to prevent cancer in high-risk patients

Antibody sweeps away Alzheimer's plaques in mice

New analysis describes how childhood obesity 'pandemic' promotes cancer

Researchers develop comprehensive map of genetic risk factors for stroke

Researchers probe RNA epigenetics and chromatin structures to predict drug resistance in leukemia

Foil-based measuring chip rapidly detects Legionella

New test for urothelial cancers offers less invasive, more accurate detection

New study identifies key cellular mechanisms behind vascular aging in mice

Novel vaccine technologies can help better prepare for future infectious disease threats

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