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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).

Discovery of 'molecular switch' could lead to effective new treatments for auto-immune diseases

The discovery of the 'molecular switch' that causes inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and Celiac disease, could lead to more effective new treatments for these life-changing auto-immune conditions, according to research from scientists at King's College London and University College London.

16 Feb 2017

Glowing mice could mark major step forward for new gene therapy

Timothy Blake, a postdoctoral fellow in the Waymouth lab, was hard at work on a fantastical interdisciplinary experiment. He and his fellow researchers were refining compounds that would carry instructions for assembling the protein that makes fireflies light up and deliver them into the cells of an anesthetized mouse. If their technique worked, the mouse would glow in the dark.

16 Feb 2017

IBS scientists modify fat content in soybean oil using new CRISPR-Cpf1 technology

A team from the Center for Genome Engineering, within the Institute for Basic Research (IBS), succeeded in editing two genes that contribute to the fat contents of soybean oil using the new CRISPR-Cpf1 technology: an alternative of the more widely used gene editing tool CRISPR-Cas9. The results of this new plant gene editing method, applied to soybeans and wild tobacco genes, are published in Nature Communications.

16 Feb 2017

UNIGE researchers develop new technique to improve diagnosis of genetic diseases

When a child is conceived, he or she receives DNA from both parents. The child's own genome thus consists of a maternal and a paternal genome. However, some genes — about 100 out of the 20,000 encoded genes— are exclusively expressed either from the maternal or from the paternal genome, with the other copy of the gene remaining silent.

16 Feb 2017

Salk scientists use mRNA to successfully treat hemophilia B in mice

FedEx, UPS, DHL--when it comes to sending packages, choices abound. But the most important delivery service you may not have heard of mRNA.

16 Feb 2017

Yale researchers find potential new way to combat brain cancer

A recent Yale study may have found a new way to fight brain cancer.

15 Feb 2017

HCI researchers uncover how epithelial cells naturally turn over to maintain constant numbers

Research published today in Nature from scientists at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI) at the University of Utah shows how epithelial cells naturally turn over, maintaining constant numbers between cell division and cell death.

15 Feb 2017

Scientists develop new bioinformatics tool to make biological experiments more transparent

Biological experiments are generating increasingly large and complex sets of data. This has made it difficult to reproduce experiments at other research laboratories in order to confirm - or refute - the results.

15 Feb 2017

Researchers discover sulfide-responsive protein that regulates photosynthesis in purple bacteria

Recent evidence demonstrates that the origins of photosynthesis can be found in deep sea hydrothermal vents, where microbes evolved to obtain energy from ejected hydrogen sulfide and methane gases.

15 Feb 2017

Application note shows that ChIP assays can be performed using fewer cells

Chromatrap® has published a new application note that demonstrates how its unique solid state patented technology provides unrivalled sensitivity allowing users to perform ChIP assays using as few as 1000 cells per immunoprecipitation.

From Chromatrap® - Porvair Sciences Ltd 15 Feb 2017

OIST researchers employ time-lapse imaging technique to observe lens development in zebrafish

There are many different structures in our eyes that work in conjunction to allow us to see. These structures are strikingly similar between different species, from zebrafish to humans.

15 Feb 2017

Scientists identify genetic signature of risk for type 2 diabetes

Why do some people get Type 2 diabetes, while others who live the same lifestyle never do? For decades, scientists have tried to solve this mystery - and have found more than 80 tiny DNA differences that seem to raise the risk of the disease in some people, or protect others from the damagingly high levels of blood sugar that are its hallmark.

14 Feb 2017

Emory researchers reveal 'matchmaker' role for protein linked to SMA

A puzzling question has lurked behind SMA, the leading genetic cause of death in infants. The disorder leads to reduced levels of the SMN protein, which is thought to be involved in processing RNA, something that occurs in every cell in the body.

14 Feb 2017

Children of parents affected with C9orf72 mutations more likely to have FTD and ALS at younger age

The most common genetic cause of the brain diseases frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a mutation in the C9orf72 gene.

14 Feb 2017

Study shows how errors in specific gene can cause growth defects linked to dwarfism

A new study shows how errors in a specific gene can cause growth defects associated with a rare type of dwarfism.

13 Feb 2017

Professor aims to develop shortcuts for targeted and effective cancer therapy

The aim is to identify precisely the one drug, or the correct combination of drugs, that are most effective against the specific tumor present in each patient. Professor hopes that new tools will come into use in the next five years.

13 Feb 2017

Osmium-based compound seen to target cancer cells from inside

Researchers have witnessed - for the first time - cancer cells being targeted and destroyed from the inside, by an organo-metal compound discovered by the University of Warwick.

13 Feb 2017

LMU study shows crucial role of microRNAs in protecting precursors of neurons

Programmed cell death is an integral part of embryonic development. Exploring the regulation of the process, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet in Munich researchers have shown that so-called microRNAs protect the precursors of neurons from 'precocious' elimination.

13 Feb 2017

Cole-Parmer introduces Arcis DNA Prep Kit for fast and convenient DNA or RNA extraction

Cole-Parmer, a leading manufacturer of laboratory equipment, announced today that it has launched the DNA Prep Kit by Arcis Biotechnology for fast and convenient DNA or RNA extraction.

13 Feb 2017

New imaging method enables rapid assessment of tumor tissue during brain surgery

Brain surgery for removing cancerous tissue is a delicate and high-stakes task. Now researchers funded by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering have created a way to improve tumor removal surgery by distinguishing cancerous tissue from healthy tissue faster.

13 Feb 2017

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Discovery of 'molecular switch' could lead to effective new treatments for auto-immune diseases

Glowing mice could mark major step forward for new gene therapy

IBS scientists modify fat content in soybean oil using new CRISPR-Cpf1 technology

UNIGE researchers develop new technique to improve diagnosis of genetic diseases

Salk scientists use mRNA to successfully treat hemophilia B in mice

Yale researchers find potential new way to combat brain cancer

HCI researchers uncover how epithelial cells naturally turn over to maintain constant numbers

Scientists develop new bioinformatics tool to make biological experiments more transparent

Researchers discover sulfide-responsive protein that regulates photosynthesis in purple bacteria

Application note shows that ChIP assays can be performed using fewer cells

OIST researchers employ time-lapse imaging technique to observe lens development in zebrafish

Scientists identify genetic signature of risk for type 2 diabetes

Emory researchers reveal 'matchmaker' role for protein linked to SMA

Children of parents affected with C9orf72 mutations more likely to have FTD and ALS at younger age

Study shows how errors in specific gene can cause growth defects linked to dwarfism

Professor aims to develop shortcuts for targeted and effective cancer therapy

Osmium-based compound seen to target cancer cells from inside

LMU study shows crucial role of microRNAs in protecting precursors of neurons

Cole-Parmer introduces Arcis DNA Prep Kit for fast and convenient DNA or RNA extraction

New imaging method enables rapid assessment of tumor tissue during brain surgery

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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