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Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a biologically important type of molecule that consists of a long chain of nucleotide units. Each nucleotide consists of a nitrogenous base, a ribose sugar, and a phosphate.

UW receives $10 million to develop paper-based pathogen identification test

The University of Washington has received nearly $10 million from the U.S. Department of Defense to continue a project aimed at building a small, paper-based device that could test for infectious diseases on-demand in areas where diagnostic capabilities are limited.

26 Jun 2013

Study suggests new ways to maximize delivery of RNA strands

Nanoparticles that deliver short strands of RNA offer a way to treat cancer and other diseases by shutting off malfunctioning genes. Although this approach has shown some promise, scientists are still not sure exactly what happens to the nanoparticles once they get inside their target cells.

25 Jun 2013

Researchers find RNA molecule that interferes with lipoprotein production, reduces hyperlipidemia

Hyperlipidemia, a condition with high levels of fats circulating in the bloodstream, is a known risk factor for various cardiovascular and metabolic disorders. While the Western diet often contributes to high levels of lipids such as cholesterol and triglycerides, over-production of the body's own lipoproteins can lead to hyperlipidemia, independent of food intake.

25 Jun 2013

Alnylam presents new pre-clinical data of ALN-CC5 for treatment of complement-mediated diseases

Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a leading RNAi therapeutics company, announced today that it has presented new pre-clinical data with ALN-CC5, an RNAi therapeutic targeting complement component C5.

21 Jun 2013

New blood test finds cancer-related microRNA in blood before tumor development

A new blood test developed in the Gastrointestinal Cancer Research Lab at Baylor Research Institute is showing very promising results for finding cancer-related microRNA in the blood before a tumor develops in the colon.

19 Jun 2013

New technique offers potential to screen patients for viruses

In research published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, Saint Louis University researchers describe a technology that can detect new, previously unknown viruses. The technique offers the potential to screen patients for viruses even when doctors have not identified a particular virus as the likely source of an infection.

18 Jun 2013

New study identifies possible treatment to block deposition of calcium in arterial wall

HGPS is a rare genetic disease that affects one in every 4-8 million births. The disease is caused by a spontaneous mutation in one of the two copies (alleles) of the gene LMNA, which codes for lamin A, a protein important for the integrity and function of the envelope surrounding the cell nucleus. The mutation causes incorrect processing of the messenger RNA for lamin proteins, resulting in the synthesis of an anomalous protein, called progerin.

18 Jun 2013

Researchers produce first genome-wide investigation of cap-independent translation

Because of their central importance to biology, proteins have been the focus of intense research, particularly the manner in which they are produced from genetically coded templates-a process commonly known as translation. While the general mechanism of translation has been understood for some time, protein synthesis can initiate by more than one mechanism. One of the least well understood mechanisms is known as cap-independent translation.

17 Jun 2013

Scientists develop new tool for analyzing and characterizing aspects of the brain's neural circuitry

Scientists at the University of Massachusetts Medical School have developed a novel transgenic system which allows them to remotely activate individual brain cells in the model organism Drosophila using ambient temperature.

17 Jun 2013

Mayo researchers find rheumatic condition gout may be due to flare-ups in other joints

The painful rheumatic condition gout is often associated with the big toe, but it turns out that patients at highest risk of further flare-ups are those whose gout first involved other joints, such as a knee or elbow, Mayo Clinic has found.

15 Jun 2013

HandsFree system helps analyze next generation sequencing data

In the early 1990s, an international effort was launched by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health to sequence the human genome. The project took 13 years, involved many scientists in several countries, and cost $2.7 billion (in FY 1991) dollars.

15 Jun 2013

Study offers hope for development of novel treatments for stroke, neurological diseases

A specific MicroRNA, a short set of RNA (ribonuclease) sequences, naturally packaged into minute (50 nanometers) lipid containers called exosomes, are released by stem cells after a stroke and contribute to better neurological recovery according to a new animal study by Henry Ford Hospital researchers.

14 Jun 2013

Pew funds 10 Latin American scientists to conduct research on world's most troubling health problems

Ten scientists were named Pew Latin American Fellows in the Biomedical Sciences by The Pew Charitable Trusts today. The fellowship provides support to advance grantees' research, enables them to study with prominent U.S. scientists, and invests seed capital to help them establish laboratories in their home countries.

14 Jun 2013

Depression, antidepressant use may increase risk for diabetes and CVD in postmenopausal women

Postmenopausal women who use antidepressant medication or suffer from depression might be more likely to have a higher body mass index, larger waist circumference and inflammation-all associated with increased risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to a study led by University of Massachusetts Medical School investigator Yunsheng Ma, PhD, MD, MPH, and published in the June 13 issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

14 Jun 2013

Whitehead Institute researchers identify drug target for anemia

Researchers at Whitehead Institute have identified a protein that is the target of glucocorticoids, the drugs that are used to increase red blood cell production in patients with certain types of anemia, including those resulting from trauma, sepsis, malaria, kidney dialysis, and chemotherapy.

10 Jun 2013

SUNY Downstate to receive grant to advance blood test to predict breast cancer progression

SUNY Downstate Medical Center will receive up to $50,000 from the statewide SUNY Technology Accelerator Fund to advance a blood test to determine breast cancer prognosis.

10 Jun 2013

Study sheds light on origin of wide range of brain disorders

Researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College have uncovered a mechanism that guides the exquisite wiring of neural circuits in a developing brain -- gaining unprecedented insight into the faulty circuits that may lead to brain disorders ranging from autism to mental retardation.

10 Jun 2013

Human Argonautes directly cuts messenger RNA

Human Argonautes (hAgo), are key proteins involved in a process known as RNA interference. RNAi, as it is often called, is a mechanism that cells use to regulate gene expression.

7 Jun 2013

RXi Pharmaceuticals reports positive results from 2 placebo-controlled double blind studies of RXI-109

RXi Pharmaceuticals Corporation, a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing and commercializing innovative therapies addressing major unmet medical needs using RNA-targeted technologies, today announced the unblinded results of the first of their 2 placebo-controlled double blind studies in volunteers with their anti-scarring agent RXI-109, a proprietary sd-rxRNA compound that has been shown in vitro and in animals to reduce mRNA for connective tissue growth factor.

6 Jun 2013

Study suggests modulation of "enhancer-directed RNAs" can alter gene expression in living cells

In a pair of distinct but complementary papers, researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and colleagues illuminate the functional importance of a relatively new class of RNA molecules.

5 Jun 2013

RNA News and Research

Further Reading

UW receives $10 million to develop paper-based pathogen identification test

Study suggests new ways to maximize delivery of RNA strands

Researchers find RNA molecule that interferes with lipoprotein production, reduces hyperlipidemia

Alnylam presents new pre-clinical data of ALN-CC5 for treatment of complement-mediated diseases

New blood test finds cancer-related microRNA in blood before tumor development

New technique offers potential to screen patients for viruses

New study identifies possible treatment to block deposition of calcium in arterial wall

Researchers produce first genome-wide investigation of cap-independent translation

Scientists develop new tool for analyzing and characterizing aspects of the brain's neural circuitry

Mayo researchers find rheumatic condition gout may be due to flare-ups in other joints

HandsFree system helps analyze next generation sequencing data

Study offers hope for development of novel treatments for stroke, neurological diseases

Pew funds 10 Latin American scientists to conduct research on world's most troubling health problems

Depression, antidepressant use may increase risk for diabetes and CVD in postmenopausal women

Whitehead Institute researchers identify drug target for anemia

SUNY Downstate to receive grant to advance blood test to predict breast cancer progression

Study sheds light on origin of wide range of brain disorders

Human Argonautes directly cuts messenger RNA

RXi Pharmaceuticals reports positive results from 2 placebo-controlled double blind studies of RXI-109

Study suggests modulation of "enhancer-directed RNAs" can alter gene expression in living cells

eBook: A guide to RNA sequencing eBook

How can microdialysis benefit drug development

Global and Local Efforts to Take Action Against Hepatitis

Addressing Important Cardiac Biology Questions with Shotgun Top-Down Proteomics

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