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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).

Researchers discover gene mutations that worsen respiratory infections among children

Researchers funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation have discovered mutations that worsen respiratory infections among children. Their study explains the mechanism involved.

18 Jul 2017

Study provides insights into intergenerational inheritance of epigenetic information

We are more than the sum of our genes. Epigenetic mechanisms modulated by environmental cues such as diet, disease or our lifestyle take a major role in regulating the DNA by switching genes on and off.

18 Jul 2017

Study identifies potential treatment for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder

Two commonly used drugs erased the learning and memory deficits caused by fetal alcohol exposure when the drugs were given after birth, thus potentially identifying a treatment for the disorder, reports a new Northwestern Medicine study.

18 Jul 2017

Scientists find simple way to raise accuracy of diagnostic tests and common assays

Scientists at the University of Washington have discovered a simple way to raise the accuracy of diagnostic tests for medicine and common assays for laboratory research.

18 Jul 2017

Scientists uncover new genetic markers that predispose individuals to lupus

Scientists from an international consortium have identified a large number of new genetic markers that predispose individuals to lupus.

18 Jul 2017

New analysis compares emerging algorithms that look for cancer mutations

Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute has undertaken the first-ever comparative analysis of a newly emerging category of algorithms that mine genetic information in cancer databases by focusing on internal gene structure (subgene resolution algorithms), in contrast to classical approaches that focus on genes treated as single units.

17 Jul 2017

Researchers find increased bacterial populations in Alzheimer's brains

Researchers in the UK have used DNA sequencing to examine bacteria in post-mortem brains from patients with Alzheimer's disease.

17 Jul 2017

Study identifies new gene involved in Fanconi anemia

Researchers from the group led by UAB Chair Professor Dr Jordi Surrallés at the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona, the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and the CIBER of Rare Diseases participated in a study which has led to the identification of a new gene involved in Fanconi anemia, a rare genetic disease.

17 Jul 2017

Researchers spot two genes that influence person's risk of Alzheimer's disease

A team of researchers led by Cardiff University has identified two genes that influence a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

17 Jul 2017

Mutations arising after conception may play vital role in autism

A study of nearly 6,000 families, combining three genetic sequencing technologies, finds that mutations that occur after conception play an important role in autism.

17 Jul 2017

Low doses of radiation exposure linked to increased cardiovascular health risk

Ionizing radiation, such as x-rays, has a harmful effect on the cardiovascular system even at doses equivalent to recurrent CT imaging, a new study published in the International Journal of Radiation Biology suggests.

17 Jul 2017

Scientists uncover new gene therapy treatment routes for motor neurone disease

Scientists investigating the genetic causes and altered functioning of nerve cells in motor neurone disease (MND) have discovered a new mechanism that could lead to fresh treatment approaches for one of the most common forms of the disease.

14 Jul 2017

Researchers discover potential substitutes for BPA that lack adverse effects

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have identified a group of potential substitutes for bisphenol A (BPA) that lack the adverse effects typically associated with BPA.

14 Jul 2017

Scientists uncover new group of Treg cells and DNA features linked to juvenile idiopathic arthritis

A team of scientists and doctors from the SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre has uncovered a new group of regulatory T (Treg) cells and DNA features associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), the most common form of arthritis among children under the age of 16.

14 Jul 2017

Researchers detect new gene mutation linked to Fanconi anemia

Fanconi anemia is a rare genetic disease characterized by bone marrow failure heralded by low platelet counts and unusually large red blood cells.

14 Jul 2017

CRISPR technology shows potential as a “molecular recorder” through DNA encoded movie

The researchers from Harvard University, Seth L. Shipman, Jeff Nivala, Jeffrey D. Macklis and George M. Church, believe that their study is a major step forward to a "molecular recorder" that may someday make it possible to get read-outs, has published online their proof-of-concept on July 12, 2017, in the journal Nature.

14 Jul 2017

Rise in direct-to-consumer DNA testing brings new ‘threat’ to people involved in donor conception, social scientist warns

The rise in direct-to-consumer DNA testing has increased the likelihood of individuals unexpectedly finding out they are donor-conceived, raising important ethical questions, warns social scientist Dr Marilyn Crawshaw from the University of York.

13 Jul 2017