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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).

New study finds that thirdhand smoke increases lung cancer risk in mice

Researchers at the Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) identified thirdhand smoke, the toxic residues that linger on indoor surfaces and in dust long after a cigarette has been extinguished, as a health hazard nearly 10 years ago.

9 Mar 2018

Modifying Oncolytic Adenoviruses to Target Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic cancer is one of the less common but deadliest cancers. Modified oncolytic adenoviruses represent an alternative to chemotherapy and targeted therapies, which have a high mortality rate.

9 Mar 2018

Study finds link between women having children and shorter telomeres

A recent study by George Mason University researchers in the Department of Global and Community Health found that women who have given birth have shorter telomeres compared to women who have not given birth.

9 Mar 2018

Study seeks to examine whether gut bacteria cause brain dysfunction in sepsis patients

Surviving a critical illness is no small feat, but it's only half the battle for many patients. Serious complications can still result after an illness appears to have cleared.

8 Mar 2018

Study reveals key function of ALS-linked protein

The protein FUS, whose mutation or disruption causes many cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), works as a central component of one of the most important regulatory systems in cells, according to a new study in Molecular Cell from scientists at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

8 Mar 2018

Researchers identify new mechanism to disrupt HIV latency

HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, has a secret life. Though anti-retroviral therapy can reduce its numbers, the virus can hide and avoid both treatments and the body's immune response.

8 Mar 2018

Scientists discover connection between breast cancer protein and pediatric cancer

Scientists with the Greehey Children's Cancer Research Institute at UT Health San Antonio have discovered a surprising connection between a breast cancer protein, BRCA1, and a pediatric cancer called Ewing sarcoma.

8 Mar 2018

Researchers determine cause of difficult-to-control mitochondrial diseases

A Japanese research group has discovered that taurine is conjugated with mitochondrial transfer RNAs (tRNAs), small RNAs that decode genetic information, and that taurine deficiency in tRNA dramatically reduces both mitochondrial protein translation and impairs mitochondrial membrane integrity.

7 Mar 2018

FDA approves new tests to detect tickborne parasite in human plasma and whole blood samples

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved the Imugen Babesia microti Arrayed Fluorescent Immunoassay, for the detection of antibodies to Babesia microti (B. microti) in human plasma samples, and the Imugen Babesia microti Nucleic Acid Test (NAT), for the detection of B. microti DNA in human whole blood samples.

7 Mar 2018

Porvair Sciences launches new ChIP-Seq library preparation kit

Porvair Sciences announces the launch of UniqSeq - a new ChIP-Seq library preparation kit. High-quality library preparation is key to a successful ChIP-Seq experiment. Obtaining complex libraries with good coverage and low bias are just some of the features that depend on high-quality DNA after performing ChIP assays.

From Chromatrap® - Porvair Sciences Ltd 7 Mar 2018

Innovative antibody delivery method could offer effective way to combat Ebola infection

More than 11,000 people died during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa from 2013-16, demonstrating both the deadly nature of the virus and the limitations of the medication used to fight it.

6 Mar 2018

New technique provides pairs of genetically matched cells to study disease

Researchers led by Dr. Knut Woltjen report a new gene editing method that can modify a single DNA base in the human genome with absolute precision.

6 Mar 2018

Study findings establish basis for epigenetic link between aging and Alzheimer's disease

Although certain genetic variants increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD), age is the strongest known risk factor. But the way in which molecular processes of aging predispose people to AD, or become impaired in AD remains a mystery.

6 Mar 2018

UNC Lineberger study identifies genetic clues that explain how breast cancer metastasizes

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women in the United States, with most deaths caused by the cancer spreading beyond the breast.

6 Mar 2018

New and improved CRISPR

David Liu, professor of chemistry and chemical biology at Harvard University is a pioneer of CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology. He has now come up with two new upgrades for this gene editing tool that makes it better than before. These two tools are “cellular detective” and “sharp scissors”.

5 Mar 2018

AD polygenic risk score could identify younger population with mild cognitive impairment

For the first time, an international team of scientists, led by researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine, have determined that an Alzheimer's disease (AD) polygenic risk score can be used to correctly identify adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who were only in their 50s. MCI is considered a precursor to AD.

5 Mar 2018

NETRF awards six new research grants to improve treatments for neuroendocrine tumors

The Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation today awarded six new research grants totaling $1.85 million to leading academic institutions around the world.

5 Mar 2018

New study shows advantages of DNA barcoding technique for identifying nanoparticles

The first direct comparison of in vitro and in vivo screening techniques for identifying nanoparticles that may be used to transport therapeutic molecules into cells shows that testing in lab dishes isn't much help in predicting which nanoparticles will successfully enter the cells of living animals.

5 Mar 2018

IQuity launches pioneering RNA-based blood test to diagnose fibromyalgia

Nashville-based data science company IQuity has announced the release of IsolateFibromyalgia™, a pioneering blood test that uses RNA analysis to help health care providers accurately and quickly detect fibromyalgia syndrome.

5 Mar 2018

Researchers develop method to identify splicing-based biomarkers for liver cancer

Because liver cancer is particularly diverse, genetically, and prone to relapse, identifying biomarkers that can predict disease progression is a critical goal in the fight against it.

2 Mar 2018

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

New study finds that thirdhand smoke increases lung cancer risk in mice

Modifying Oncolytic Adenoviruses to Target Pancreatic Cancer

Study finds link between women having children and shorter telomeres

Study seeks to examine whether gut bacteria cause brain dysfunction in sepsis patients

Study reveals key function of ALS-linked protein

Researchers identify new mechanism to disrupt HIV latency

Scientists discover connection between breast cancer protein and pediatric cancer

Researchers determine cause of difficult-to-control mitochondrial diseases

FDA approves new tests to detect tickborne parasite in human plasma and whole blood samples

Porvair Sciences launches new ChIP-Seq library preparation kit

Innovative antibody delivery method could offer effective way to combat Ebola infection

New technique provides pairs of genetically matched cells to study disease

Study findings establish basis for epigenetic link between aging and Alzheimer's disease

UNC Lineberger study identifies genetic clues that explain how breast cancer metastasizes

New and improved CRISPR

AD polygenic risk score could identify younger population with mild cognitive impairment

NETRF awards six new research grants to improve treatments for neuroendocrine tumors

New study shows advantages of DNA barcoding technique for identifying nanoparticles

IQuity launches pioneering RNA-based blood test to diagnose fibromyalgia

Researchers develop method to identify splicing-based biomarkers for liver cancer

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

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