DNA News and Research

RSS

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).

Caspase-2 enzyme deficiency linked to higher cancer risk

Researchers from the Centre for Cancer Biology at the University of South Australia have found that a deficiency of caspase-2 enzymes place people at a higher risk of developing tumours.

25 Jan 2017

TSRI researchers develop first stable semisynthetic single-celled organism

Life’s genetic code has only ever contained four natural bases. These bases pair up to form two “base pairs”—the rungs of the DNA ladder—and they have simply been rearranged to create bacteria and butterflies, penguins and people. Four bases make up all life as we know it.

25 Jan 2017

Prenatal infection-induced epigenetic modifications may alter brain development in offspring

Maternal infection during pregnancy increases the risk for psychiatric disorders in the child, but the path between the two is something of a mystery.

25 Jan 2017

BRCA1 gene required for survival of blood forming stem cells, UT Southwestern study finds

Researchers at from the Harold C. Simmons Comprehensive Cancer Center have found that the BRCA1 gene is required for the survival of blood forming stem cells, which could explain why patients with BRCA1 mutations do not have an elevated risk for leukemia.

25 Jan 2017

UI biologists discover protein that appears to regulate chromosome movement

Before an egg becomes fertilized, sets of chromosomes must pair up to pass along genetic information. This happens within each reproductive cell, where separate chromosomes of male and female origin move toward each other and eventually join.

25 Jan 2017

In utero environment can impact brain development, study shows

A new study shows that what happens to a fetus in the womb can affect the brain later in life.

25 Jan 2017

Scientists sequence poisonous mushrooms to produce potential compounds for medicinal uses

A team of Michigan State University scientists has genetically sequenced two species of poisonous mushrooms, discovering that they can theoretically produce billions of compounds through one molecular assembly line.

24 Jan 2017

New drugs that target neighbour proteins may help halt cancer progression

Cancer is caused by an accumulation of genetic changes in a cell, that overcome the normal checks and balances leading to uncontrolled growth. A complex, interacting network of proteins controls all of a cell's processes, from metabolism to growth and division.

24 Jan 2017

Researchers reveal central role of new key players in meiosis

Where would we be without meiosis and recombination? For a start, none of us sexually reproducing organisms would be here, because that's how sperm and eggs are made. And when meiosis doesn't work properly, it can lead to infertility, miscarriage, birth defects and developmental disorders.

24 Jan 2017

Study provides insights into molecular mechanisms of ZIKV infection

Zika virus (ZIKV) interferes with the cellular machinery controlling cell division and alters the expression of hundreds of genes guiding the formation and development of neurons and astrocytes, according to findings released on January 23rd 2017 at Scientific Reports.

24 Jan 2017

New Norwegian study finds key mechanisms for future treatment of Parkinson's disease

A new Norwegian study shows new mechanisms behind Parkinson's disease, which can be key mechanisms for future treatment.

24 Jan 2017

Tulane researchers discover cancer-causing role of protein thought to be tumor suppressor

Tulane University researchers have discovered that the protein PHLDB3, thought to be a potential tumor suppressor, actually allows cancer cells to thrive in pancreatic, prostate, colon, breast, lung, and other common cancers.

24 Jan 2017

Researchers investigate influence of surrounding tissue on formation and growth of tumor cells

Malignant melanoma is the fastest-growing type of cancer and the most fatal skin disease.

23 Jan 2017

Researchers discover mutation hotspots that act like backseat drivers for breast cancer development

Researchers at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute have discovered 'hotspots' of mutations in breast cancer genomes, where mutations thought to be inactive 'passengers' in the genome have now been shown to possibly drive further cancerous changes.

23 Jan 2017

Characterizing the Brain - Cell by Cell

My group develops approaches to study cell-to-cell signaling in the brain – how the cells of the brain talk to each other. The brain is heterogeneous, probably more so than any other organ in our body, and many of its functions depend on the unique characteristics of these cells.

From Pittcon 23 Jan 2017

Researchers uncover mechanism of resistance used by triple negative breast cancer

Breast cancer cells are evasive, finding ways to bypass drugs designed to stop their unchecked growth.

20 Jan 2017

Researchers identify new principle for how epigenetic changes can occur

In a new study, researchers at Uppsala University have found evidence of a new principle for how epigenetic changes can occur. The principle is based on an enzyme, tryptase, that has epigenetic effects that cause cells to proliferate in an uncontrolled manner.

20 Jan 2017

Precision medicine advances diagnosis and treatment of children with brain tumors

Precision medicine - in which diagnosis and treatments are keyed to the genetic susceptibilities of individual cancers - has advanced to the point where it can now impact the care of a majority of children with brain tumors, a new study by investigators at Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center suggests.

20 Jan 2017

NYU Langone scientists discover mechanism behind many disease-related genetic deletions

Scientists at NYU Langone Medical Center have discovered the mechanisms behind a genetic change known to cause a set of related diseases.

20 Jan 2017

Service to screen for DNA damaging compounds released by Merck

Merck, a leading science and technology company, has introduced CAN MultiFlow™ screening services to more accurately predict genotoxic and mode of action* properties of substances, ingredients and drug compounds. Offered through its BioReliance® testing facilities, Merck will be the first company to provide this service in the United States.

20 Jan 2017

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Caspase-2 enzyme deficiency linked to higher cancer risk

TSRI researchers develop first stable semisynthetic single-celled organism

Prenatal infection-induced epigenetic modifications may alter brain development in offspring

BRCA1 gene required for survival of blood forming stem cells, UT Southwestern study finds

UI biologists discover protein that appears to regulate chromosome movement

In utero environment can impact brain development, study shows

Scientists sequence poisonous mushrooms to produce potential compounds for medicinal uses

New drugs that target neighbour proteins may help halt cancer progression

Researchers reveal central role of new key players in meiosis

Study provides insights into molecular mechanisms of ZIKV infection

New Norwegian study finds key mechanisms for future treatment of Parkinson's disease

Tulane researchers discover cancer-causing role of protein thought to be tumor suppressor

Researchers investigate influence of surrounding tissue on formation and growth of tumor cells

Researchers discover mutation hotspots that act like backseat drivers for breast cancer development

Characterizing the Brain - Cell by Cell

Researchers uncover mechanism of resistance used by triple negative breast cancer

Researchers identify new principle for how epigenetic changes can occur

Precision medicine advances diagnosis and treatment of children with brain tumors

NYU Langone scientists discover mechanism behind many disease-related genetic deletions

Service to screen for DNA damaging compounds released by Merck

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

Latest Life Science News