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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).

'Mismatch repair' genetic defects drive cancer patient's response to immunotherapy drugs

In an expanded, three-year clinical trial of 86 patients with colorectal and 11 other kinds of cancer that have so-called 'mismatch repair' genetic defects, scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine and its Bloomberg~Kimmel Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy have found that half of the patients respond to an immunotherapy drug called pembrolizumab.

9 Jun 2017

New cancer drug shows promise to treat leukemia in mouse models

Almost 6,000 new cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, or ALL, are expected to be diagnosed this year in the United States. The blood cancer can affect both children and adults.

9 Jun 2017

Southern Research aims to develop new radiosensitizers that may greatly benefit cancer patients

Two out of three cancer patients are treated with radiation, but the therapy often fails to wipe out the tumor or slow its growth. Southern Research is working to develop a new class of drugs that will help the radiation deliver a more powerful punch to the disease.

9 Jun 2017

Research reveals role of Rrm3 protein in repair of breaks that occur during DNA replication

A research group from the University of Seville has revealed the role that the protein Rrm3 plays in the repair of breaks that occur during the replication of DNA, by using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model organism.

8 Jun 2017

Researchers identify new class of regulatory RNAs involved in cancer pathologies

A team of researchers at the Institute of Oncology Research has identified a new class of regulatory RNAs, which are able to act as molecular switches and can contribute in controlling the genetic evolution processes that are responsible for some cancer pathologies.

7 Jun 2017

Natural sugar may trigger immune system to treat atherosclerosis, study finds

Researchers have long sought ways to harness the body's immune system to treat disease, especially cancer.

7 Jun 2017

Studies offer hope for developing new biomarker and drug for neurodegenerative diseases

Two new studies of progressive, neurodegenerative diseases linked to defects in cells' mitochondria offer hope for developing a new biomarker for research and diagnostics, and a drug for treating such diseases, report researchers at the University of California, Davis.

6 Jun 2017

Study suggests promising therapeutic strategy for childhood brain tumor

A study published in Molecular Cancer Research reveals that a tumor suppressor gene p16 is turned off by a histone mutation (H3.3K27M), which is found in up to 70 percent of childhood brain tumors called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG).

6 Jun 2017

Galactic cosmic ray exposure increases cancer risk for astronauts traveling to the red planet

The cancer risk for a human mission to Mars has effectively doubled following a UNLV study predicting a dramatic increase in the disease for astronauts traveling to the red planet or on long-term missions outside the protection of Earth's magnetic field.

6 Jun 2017

New findings highlight possibility of developing specific cancer drugs with fewer side effects

Scientists at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden report that cancer cells and normal cells use different 'gene switches' in order to regulate the expression of genes that control growth.

6 Jun 2017

Researchers uncover protective mechanism of rotifers that may have implications for aging research

Rotifers are tough, microscopic organisms highly resistant to radiation and repeated cycles of dehydration and rehydration.

6 Jun 2017

Researchers use gene-editing technique to develop new screening tool for Parkinson's disease

A team of researchers at the University of Central Florida is using breakthrough gene-editing technology to develop a new screening tool for Parkinson's disease, a debilitating degenerative disorder of the nervous system.

5 Jun 2017

New genomic sequencing approach could be first step toward blood tests for early cancer detection

In a study of 124 patients with advanced breast, lung, and prostate cancers, a new, high-intensity genomic sequencing approach detected circulating tumor DNA at a high rate.

5 Jun 2017

Vapor from novel hybrid tobacco heating product produces little or no effect on human cells

New laboratory data reveal that vapor from a novel hybrid tobacco heating product (THP) iFuse and two standard THPs produced little or no effect on human cells in biological testing.

5 Jun 2017

Positive results for AstraZeneca’s PARP inhibitor Lynparza in advanced breast cancer

A new study has shown that AstraZeneca's Lynparza (olaparib) can significantly slow the progress of breast cancer that is caused partially due to mutations of the culprit gene called BRCA. BRCA gene mutations are responsible for around 3% of all breast cancers. These cases of the disease that have a basis in the gene are notoriously difficult to treat and women who are tested positive for this gene may even opt for removal of their breasts before even the cancer strikes. Noted actress Angelina Jolie went for a similar prophylactic mastectomy.

5 Jun 2017

Combination therapy shows potential for effective treatment of RAS-mutant cancers

A study at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center has shown promise for effective treatment of therapy-resistant cancers caused by a mutation of the RAS gene found in many cancers.

2 Jun 2017

Genetic sequencing could help direct treatment for 72% of advanced cancer patients

A new analysis finds that nearly three-quarters of 500 patients with advanced cancer could be referred to a potential targeted treatment based on the results of a comprehensive analysis of their tumor's genetic landscape.

2 Jun 2017

Tumorigenesis may be induced from neighboring tissues, study suggests

Current view is that cancer development is initiated from cells that acquire initial DNA mutations. These in turn provoke additional defects, and ultimately the affected cells begin to proliferate in an uncontrolled manner to develop primary tumors.

2 Jun 2017

Bacterial cell factories produce enzymes that can be used as active ingredients in drugs

Researchers at the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability in Denmark have developed a method of producing P450 enzymes - used by plants to defend against predators and microbes - in bacterial cell factories. The process could facilitate the production of large quantities of the enzymes, which are also involved in the biosynthesis of active ingredients of cancer drugs.

2 Jun 2017

Microbiologist explores new methods for analyzing fecal pollution in water

In a project supported by the Austrian Science Fund FWF, the microbiologist Andreas Farnleitner is looking at new methods for analyzing faecal pollution in water. Using DNA analytics, the scientist aims to develop comprehensive and simple methods to determine the extent and origin of faecal pollution.

2 Jun 2017

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

'Mismatch repair' genetic defects drive cancer patient's response to immunotherapy drugs

New cancer drug shows promise to treat leukemia in mouse models

Southern Research aims to develop new radiosensitizers that may greatly benefit cancer patients

Research reveals role of Rrm3 protein in repair of breaks that occur during DNA replication

Researchers identify new class of regulatory RNAs involved in cancer pathologies

Natural sugar may trigger immune system to treat atherosclerosis, study finds

Studies offer hope for developing new biomarker and drug for neurodegenerative diseases

Study suggests promising therapeutic strategy for childhood brain tumor

Galactic cosmic ray exposure increases cancer risk for astronauts traveling to the red planet

New findings highlight possibility of developing specific cancer drugs with fewer side effects

Researchers uncover protective mechanism of rotifers that may have implications for aging research

Researchers use gene-editing technique to develop new screening tool for Parkinson's disease

New genomic sequencing approach could be first step toward blood tests for early cancer detection

Vapor from novel hybrid tobacco heating product produces little or no effect on human cells

Positive results for AstraZeneca’s PARP inhibitor Lynparza in advanced breast cancer

Combination therapy shows potential for effective treatment of RAS-mutant cancers

Genetic sequencing could help direct treatment for 72% of advanced cancer patients

Tumorigenesis may be induced from neighboring tissues, study suggests

Bacterial cell factories produce enzymes that can be used as active ingredients in drugs

Microbiologist explores new methods for analyzing fecal pollution in water

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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