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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).

Alcohol use may induce changes to cholesterol-regulating gene

In an analysis of the epigenomes of people and mice, researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine and the National Institutes of Health report that drinking alcohol may induce changes to a cholesterol-regulating gene.

20 Sep 2017

Analytical Science in Precision Medicine

Pittcon is an analytical conference, so naturally my talk will be about analytical chemistry and how analytical chemistry will become increasingly important in delivering healthcare solutions, not only for rich people, but also, hopefully, for poor people across the world.

From Pittcon 19 Sep 2017

QMUL professor receives Cancer Research UK Lifetime Achievement Award

Professor Jack Cuzick from Queen Mary University of London has received the Cancer Research UK Lifetime Achievement Award for his work on cancer prevention and detection.

19 Sep 2017

UCR study identifies new animal hosts of kissing bugs that spread Chagas disease

Solitary weasel-like animals called tayra might look pretty harmless, but some may actually be incubators for a parasite that causes Chagas disease, a chronic, debilitating condition that is spread by insects called kissing bugs and affects more than 8 million people worldwide.

19 Sep 2017

Research could lead to improvements in treating diseases caused by mutations in genes

Research carried out by academics at Northumbria University, Newcastle could lead to improvements in treating patients with diseases caused by mutations in genes, such as cancer, cystic fibrosis and potentially up to 6,000 other inherited conditions.

19 Sep 2017

Scientists discover markers for progressive multiple sclerosis

Scientists have uncovered two closely related cytokines -- molecules involved in cell communication and movement -- that may explain why some people develop progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), the most severe form of the disease.

18 Sep 2017

Salk study shows how fast-growing tumors evade immune system

The immune system automatically destroys dysfunctional cells such as cancer cells, but cancerous tumors often survive nonetheless. A new study by Salk scientists shows one method by which fast-growing tumors evade anti-tumor immunity.

18 Sep 2017

UI scientists discover gene linked to fatal renal agenesis in children

A team led by University of Iowa researchers has identified a gene linked to rare, often fatal kidney-related birth defects.

18 Sep 2017

Scientists genetically engineer mice that display behavioral hallmarks of human bipolar disorder

Johns Hopkins researchers report they have genetically engineered mice that display many of the behavioral hallmarks of human bipolar disorder, and that the abnormal behaviors the rodents show can be reversed using well-established drug treatments for bipolar disorder, such as lithium.

18 Sep 2017

Breakthrough research allows scientists to program cells like computers for battling against diseases

Cells can be programmed like a computer to fight cancer, influenza, and other serious conditions - thanks to a breakthrough in synthetic biology by the University of Warwick.

18 Sep 2017

Study: Genomic profiling could help identify effective treatments for pediatric gliomas

The largest genomic profiling study ever conducted into a type of brain tumor known as glioma in children has identified genetic alterations in 96% of cases. As reported in The Oncologist, this genetic information could help to identify the most effective treatments for specific cases of glioma, hopefully improving the prognosis for what is currently the leading cause of death for children with cancer in the US.

18 Sep 2017

Scientists make significant discovery in efforts to develop vaccine against global pathogens

Scientists at the University of Southampton have made a significant discovery in efforts to develop a vaccine against Zika, dengue and Hepatitis C viruses that affect millions of people around the world.

15 Sep 2017

IMB researchers make breakthrough in understanding origin of aging process

Researchers at the Institute of Molecular Biology in Mainz, Germany, have made a breakthrough in understanding the origin of the aging process. They have identified that genes belonging to a process called autophagy - one of the cells most critical survival processes - promote health and fitness in young worms but drive the process of aging later in life.

15 Sep 2017

KU Leuven researchers find that humans have lost ancient defense mechanism to combat viruses

Insects and plants have an important ancient defense mechanism that helps them to fight viruses. This is encoded in their DNA. Scientists have long assumed that vertebrates - including humans - also had this same mechanism. But researchers at KU Leuven, Belgium, have found that vertebrates lost this particular asset in the course of their evolution.

15 Sep 2017

Porvair Sciences provide optimised microplate products for drug discovery scientists

Porvair Sciences offers a range of application optimised microplates and high-performance microplate equipment designed to enable drug discovery scientists to optimise sample preparation and improve productivity.

From Porvair Sciences Limited 15 Sep 2017

Heidelberg researchers gain new insights into formation of blood vessels

New insights into the development of the vascular system: researchers in the team of Dr Carmen Ruiz de Almodóvar of the Heidelberg University Biochemistry Center have discovered a crucial biological step that regulates the formation of blood vessels.

15 Sep 2017

Simple blood test provides new treatment choices to lung cancer patients

A simple test which can detect gene mutations in tumour DNA from blood samples is giving new choices to lung cancer patients with faster diagnosis and improved access to life changing drugs.

15 Sep 2017

DNA robot sorts molecules without external input

Researchers at the California Institute of Technology have developed an autonomous molecular machine comprising a single strand of DNA that can move around, collect specific molecules and sort them into predefined locations. Furthermore, this nanobot has been designed in such a way that requires no external source of energy or instruction.

15 Sep 2017

Papua New Guinean genetic diversity of populations intrigues scientists

According to a new report by researchers from UK, the population of Papua New Guinea has the greatest linguistic and genetic diversity. The language differences across the bends of the river Sepik are baffling and reflect and underlying genetic diversity that was until now not fully appreciated. The study report is published today 15th of September 2017 in the journal Science.

14 Sep 2017

BWH researchers identify new rare genetic cause of peritoneal mesothelioma

Mesothelioma is a rare and aggressive tumor that, in many cases, results from exposure to asbestos. But over the last several decades, other causes of the disease have emerged, including treatment with high-intensity therapeutic radiation and, more recently, an inherited genetic mutation.

14 Sep 2017

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Alcohol use may induce changes to cholesterol-regulating gene

Analytical Science in Precision Medicine

QMUL professor receives Cancer Research UK Lifetime Achievement Award

UCR study identifies new animal hosts of kissing bugs that spread Chagas disease

Research could lead to improvements in treating diseases caused by mutations in genes

Scientists discover markers for progressive multiple sclerosis

Salk study shows how fast-growing tumors evade immune system

UI scientists discover gene linked to fatal renal agenesis in children

Scientists genetically engineer mice that display behavioral hallmarks of human bipolar disorder

Breakthrough research allows scientists to program cells like computers for battling against diseases

Study: Genomic profiling could help identify effective treatments for pediatric gliomas

Scientists make significant discovery in efforts to develop vaccine against global pathogens

IMB researchers make breakthrough in understanding origin of aging process

KU Leuven researchers find that humans have lost ancient defense mechanism to combat viruses

Porvair Sciences provide optimised microplate products for drug discovery scientists

Heidelberg researchers gain new insights into formation of blood vessels

Simple blood test provides new treatment choices to lung cancer patients

DNA robot sorts molecules without external input

Papua New Guinean genetic diversity of populations intrigues scientists

BWH researchers identify new rare genetic cause of peritoneal mesothelioma

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