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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 eDNA tool helps identify invasive clams before they become a problem

When seeking a cure for a disease, early detection is often the key. The same is true for eliminating invasive species. Identifying their presence in a lake before they are abundant is vital. A recent University of Illinois study successfully used environmental DNA to detect invasive clams in California and Nevada lakes. Researchers believe this tool can help identify pests before they become a problem.

17 Nov 2017

Researchers map first-ever proteome of healthy human heart

A healthy heart beats about two billion times during a lifetime – thanks to the interplay of more than 10,000 proteins. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry and the German Heart Centre at the Technical University of Munich have now determined which and how many individual proteins are present in each type of cell that occurs in the heart.

17 Nov 2017

Research suggests new ways to mitigate impact of mistreatment at early age

Everyone has challenges of one kind or another. But research shows that mistreatment at an early age can have long-lasting and life-altering repercussions that could be passed to future generations.

17 Nov 2017

CRISPR shows potential to reduce diseases spread by mosquitoes

Research at the University of California, Riverside, have shown that it is possible for transgenic mosquitos to stably express the Cas9 enzyme in their germline. Cas9 addition will allow the utilization of the CRISPR gene editing tool to carry out efficient and highly targeted changes to the DNA of the mosquitoes.

16 Nov 2017

Aging tests disagree with one another

Whether it's an on-line quiz, a $300 chromosome test or an $800 blood panel, a lot of people seem to be interested in whether they're aging faster or slower than their chronological age would suggest.

16 Nov 2017

Genetic diversity of tumor tissues can be barrier to precision medicine in gastric and esophageal cancers

A new study focused on describing genetic variations within a primary tumor, differences between the primary and a metastatic branch of that tumor, and additional diversity found in tumor DNA in the blood stream could help physicians make better treatment choices for patients with gastric and esophageal adenocarcinoma.

15 Nov 2017

Scientists find key that allows neural differentiation of microRNA-deficient pluripotent stem cells

The more than 200 different types of human cells have the same DNA but express different ensembles of genes. Each cell type was derived from embryonic stem cells, which are called pluripotent stem cells because they can differentiate to all those different cell fates.

15 Nov 2017

Researchers visualize mechanism of CRISPR-Cas9 genetic-engineering technique

Researchers at Kanazawa University and the University of Tokyo report in Nature Communications the visualization of the dynamics of ‘molecular scissors’ — the main mechanism of the CRISPR-Cas9 genetic-engineering technique.

15 Nov 2017

Changes in multiple different genes drive world's most deadly forms of lung cancer

A new UC San Francisco–led study challenges the dogma in oncology that most cancers are caused by one dominant "driver" mutation that can be treated in isolation with a single targeted drug. Instead, the new research finds one of the world's most deadly forms of lung cancer is driven by changes in multiple different genes, which appear to work together to drive cancer progression and to allow tumors to evade targeted therapy.

15 Nov 2017

Nanoparticles carrying CRISPR gene editing tools for genetic modifications

Researchers from MIT have now developed nanoparticles that could carry CRISPR genetic editing systems deep within the cells and perform their functions on the DNA. The paper was published in the November issue of Nature Biotechnology.

14 Nov 2017

UCR researchers develop transgenic mosquitoes to help reduce spread of infectious diseases

Researchers at the University of California, Riverside have developed transgenic mosquitoes that stably express the Cas9 enzyme in their germline. The addition of Cas9 will enable the use of the CRISPR gene editing tool to make efficient, targeted changes to the mosquitoes' DNA.

14 Nov 2017

New drug shows promise in mouse model of autism disorder

Scientists have performed a successful test of a possible new drug in a mouse model of an autism disorder. The candidate drug, called NitroSynapsin, largely corrected electrical, behavioral and brain abnormalities in the mice.

14 Nov 2017

Gene variants appear to alter features of alcohol dose-response relationship

Although estimates vary, scientists believe that 50 to 64 percent of the risk of alcohol use disorders (AUDs) is inherited. One way to identify this risk is through a person's subjective response to alcohol.

14 Nov 2017

Specific way of spelling out genetic code likely allows viruses to evade our cellular defenses

For millions of years, humans and viruses have engaged in a constant tug of war: as our cells evolve new ways to defend us from our viral enemies, these pathogens in turn acquire new traits to sidestep those defenses.

13 Nov 2017

Epigenetic editing in healthy breast cells can set off chain reaction for tumor initiation

Changing the epigenetic code of a single gene is enough to cause a healthy breast cell to begin a chain reaction and become abnormal, according to research by Queen Mary University of London.

13 Nov 2017

Researchers identify 'strategies' used by bacteria to protect themselves from antibiotics

Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the drugs which are used to treat infections.

13 Nov 2017

Advances in genetic and stem cell techniques help identify therapeutic targets for neurological disorders

Research released today highlights advances in the use of CRISPR-Cas9 and human induced pluripotent stem cell technologies to identify novel therapeutic targets for neurological disorders such as schizophrenia and addiction.

13 Nov 2017

Researchers show how rhythm of DNA replication can be manipulated to kill cancer cells

Human cells divide and create new cells throughout life. In this process, a steady – even rhythmic – supply of DNA building blocks is needed to create new DNA. Now researchers from the University of Copenhagen are the first to show exactly how human cells regulate this process so it does not fail and cause illness.

10 Nov 2017

Russian scientists uncover previously unknown effect of leukemia drug

Researchers from RUDN University and Institute of Biomedical Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences have identified an alternative mechanism for the effective antitumor drug -- an enzyme called L-asparaginase.

10 Nov 2017

Gene technology can be potential game-changer for agriculture

Consumers will soon be eating gene-edited foods that have added nutrients, potatoes that do not turn brown, and mushrooms with a longer shelf life, scientists at The University of Queensland predict.

10 Nov 2017

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

New eDNA tool helps identify invasive clams before they become a problem

Researchers map first-ever proteome of healthy human heart

Research suggests new ways to mitigate impact of mistreatment at early age

CRISPR shows potential to reduce diseases spread by mosquitoes

Aging tests disagree with one another

Genetic diversity of tumor tissues can be barrier to precision medicine in gastric and esophageal cancers

Scientists find key that allows neural differentiation of microRNA-deficient pluripotent stem cells

Researchers visualize mechanism of CRISPR-Cas9 genetic-engineering technique

Changes in multiple different genes drive world's most deadly forms of lung cancer

Nanoparticles carrying CRISPR gene editing tools for genetic modifications

UCR researchers develop transgenic mosquitoes to help reduce spread of infectious diseases

New drug shows promise in mouse model of autism disorder

Gene variants appear to alter features of alcohol dose-response relationship

Specific way of spelling out genetic code likely allows viruses to evade our cellular defenses

Epigenetic editing in healthy breast cells can set off chain reaction for tumor initiation

Researchers identify 'strategies' used by bacteria to protect themselves from antibiotics

Advances in genetic and stem cell techniques help identify therapeutic targets for neurological disorders

Researchers show how rhythm of DNA replication can be manipulated to kill cancer cells

Russian scientists uncover previously unknown effect of leukemia drug

Gene technology can be potential game-changer for agriculture

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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