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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).

Penn study sheds new light on mysterious powers of spider silk genes

They can be stronger than steel at a mere fraction of weight, and also can be tougher and more flexible. Spider silks also tend not to provoke the human immune system. Some even inhibit bacteria and fungi, making them potentially ideal for surgery and medical device applications.

2 May 2017

Study: New gene editing strategy effectively targets cancer-causing ‘fusion genes’ in mouse models

A novel gene therapy using CRISPR genome editing technology effectively targets cancer-causing "fusion genes" and improves survival in mouse models of aggressive liver and prostate cancers, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers report in a study published online today in Nature Biotechnology.

2 May 2017

New study shows that gene editing technology can shut down HIV-1 replication in animals

A permanent cure for HIV infection remains elusive due to the virus's ability to hide away in latent reservoirs. But now, in new research published in print May 3 in the journal Molecular Therapy, scientists at the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University and the University of Pittsburgh show that they can excise HIV DNA from the genomes of living animals to eliminate further infection.

2 May 2017

Bonobos may be more closely linked to anatomy of human ancestors, study finds

A new study examining the muscular system of bonobos provides firsthand evidence that the rare great ape species may be more closely linked, anatomically, to human ancestors than common chimpanzees

28 Apr 2017

Newly discovered molecule plays central role in appetite control mechanisms

A newly discovered molecule increases appetite during fasting -- and decreases it during gorging. The neuron-exciting protein, named NPGL - apparently aims to maintain body mass at a constant, come feast or famine. An evolutionary masterstroke, but not great news for those looking to trim down -- or beef up for the summer.

28 Apr 2017

Arizona State University earns 14 NSF early career faculty awards

Arizona State University has earned 14 National Science Foundation early career faculty awards, ranking second among all university recipients of the prestigious awards for 2017 and setting a new ASU record. The awards total $7 million in funding for the ASU researchers over five years.

28 Apr 2017

NETRF announces $4 million in collaborative grants to study neuroendocrine tumors

The Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation today announced its largest research commitment ever -- $4 million in collaborative grants -- most from its new Accelerator Grants program to study neuroendocrine tumors, a widely misunderstood, commonly misdiagnosed cancer type, without adequately identified genomic drivers.

27 Apr 2017

Researchers discover new mechanism of epigenetic inheritance in fruit flies

Giacomo Cavalli's team at the Institute of Human Genetics (University of Montpellier / CNRS), in collaboration with the French National Institute for Agricultural Research, has demonstrated the existence of transgenerational epigenetic inheritance among Drosophila fruit flies.

27 Apr 2017

Maternal grandmother’s smoking in pregnancy increases risk of ASD in grandchildren

Scientists from the University of Bristol have looked at all 14,500 participants in Children of the 90s and found that if a girl's maternal grandmother smoked during pregnancy, the girl is 67% more likely to display certain traits linked to autism, such as poor social communication skills and repetitive behaviors.

27 Apr 2017

Unstable chromosomes in lung tumors increase risk of cancer relapse, study reveals

The New England Journal of Medicine and Nature has published the first findings from the Cancer Research UK-funded Tracking Cancer Evolution through Treatment (Rx), TRACERx, lung cancer study, which reveals the increase in the risk of cancer relapse when lung tumors have unstable chromosomes.

27 Apr 2017

Researchers take important step toward using transplanted fetal cells to treat liver failure

In a new study, researchers demonstrate successful transplantation of fetal rat liver cells to an injured adult rat liver. The work is an important step toward using transplanted cells to treat liver failure, which currently requires an organ transplant.

26 Apr 2017

Study underscores need for genetic screening to improve safety of experimental stem cell treatments

Regenerative medicine using human pluripotent stem cells to grow transplantable tissue outside the body carries the promise to treat a range of intractable disorders, such as diabetes and Parkinson's disease.

26 Apr 2017

Study provides new insights on molecular mechanisms that impair muscle stem cells during aging

Researchers at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have identified a previously unrecognized step in stem cell-mediated muscle regeneration.

26 Apr 2017

Epigenetic changes detectable at birth linked to risk of obesity

These changes, known as epigenetic modifications, control the activity of our genes without changing the actual DNA sequence. One of the main epigenetic modifications is DNA methylation, which plays a key role in embryonic development and the formation of different cell types, regulating when and where genes are switched on.

26 Apr 2017

Researchers discover genes linked to resilience against brain pathologies

The pathologies (damage) in the brain that stroke, Alzheimer's disease and other neurological conditions cause in older adults only partially explain the memory loss, reduced reasoning ability and other cognitive impairments that result from these conditions. Little is known about why the effects of brain pathology vary between people who develop it.

26 Apr 2017

Person's brain age could help identify risk of functional decline and mortality

Some elderly people's brains appear older than the age on their birth certificates. These people have a higher risk of developing deteriorating age-associated conditions and impairments, and even of experiencing an earlier death than expected.

25 Apr 2017

Research shows how TET2 protein loss can open door for mutations that drive blood cancers

Imagine this scenario on a highway: A driver starts to make a sudden lane change but realizes his mistake and quickly veers back, too late. Other motorists have already reacted and, in some cases, collide. Meanwhile, the original motorist - the one who caused the problem - drives on.

25 Apr 2017

Whole-exome sequencing may routinely miss detecting some disease-causing genes, say researchers

Whole-exome DNA sequencing -- a technology that saves time and money by sequencing only protein-coding regions and not the entire genome -- may routinely miss detecting some genetic variations associated with disease, according to Penn State researchers who have developed new ways to identify such omissions.

24 Apr 2017

Brain genes influence our eating habits, study finds

Differences in the genetic make-up of our brains may account for the particular food preferences people have and their varying ability to stick to diets, according to new research.

24 Apr 2017

Study shows how brain genes influence food intake and dietary preferences

Have you ever wondered why you keep eating certain foods, even if you know they are not good for you? Gene variants that affect the way our brain works may be the reason, according to a new study. The new research could lead to new strategies to empower people to enjoy and stick to their optimal diets.

24 Apr 2017

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Penn study sheds new light on mysterious powers of spider silk genes

Study: New gene editing strategy effectively targets cancer-causing ‘fusion genes’ in mouse models

New study shows that gene editing technology can shut down HIV-1 replication in animals

Bonobos may be more closely linked to anatomy of human ancestors, study finds

Newly discovered molecule plays central role in appetite control mechanisms

Arizona State University earns 14 NSF early career faculty awards

NETRF announces $4 million in collaborative grants to study neuroendocrine tumors

Researchers discover new mechanism of epigenetic inheritance in fruit flies

Maternal grandmother’s smoking in pregnancy increases risk of ASD in grandchildren

Unstable chromosomes in lung tumors increase risk of cancer relapse, study reveals

Researchers take important step toward using transplanted fetal cells to treat liver failure

Study underscores need for genetic screening to improve safety of experimental stem cell treatments

Study provides new insights on molecular mechanisms that impair muscle stem cells during aging

Epigenetic changes detectable at birth linked to risk of obesity

Researchers discover genes linked to resilience against brain pathologies

Person's brain age could help identify risk of functional decline and mortality

Research shows how TET2 protein loss can open door for mutations that drive blood cancers

Whole-exome sequencing may routinely miss detecting some disease-causing genes, say researchers

Brain genes influence our eating habits, study finds

Study shows how brain genes influence food intake and dietary preferences

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