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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).

Scientists find new way to use CRISPR gene editing to help fix sickle cell disease

An international team of scientists led by researchers at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital has found a way to use CRISPR gene editing to help fix sickle cell disease and beta-thalassemia in blood cells isolated from patients.

16 Aug 2016

New study uncovers how chromosomal changes impact tumor formation and growth

As with most cancers, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells have abnormal amounts of chromosomes or DNA copy number aberrations (CNAs) in their genomes.

16 Aug 2016

St. Jude scientists identify key innate immune sensor that attacks influenza virus

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital immunologists have identified the protein trigger in the body's quick-reaction innate immune system that specifically recognizes the influenza virus in infected cells and triggers their death.

12 Aug 2016

Former SpaceX engineers launch Synthego, CRISPRevolution to accelerate genome engineering research

Synthego, a leading provider of genome engineering solutions, officially launches today. Synthego’s flagship product line, CRISPRevolution, features synthetic guide RNA products designed to accelerate CRISPR/Cas9 and Cpf1 genome engineering research. CRISPRevolution is the first product line to offer economical access to fully synthetic RNA for high fidelity editing and increased precision in genome editing.

12 Aug 2016

ICR researchers identify how genetic variant linked to leukaemia helps cancer cells survive

Scientists at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, have identified how an inherited genetic variant, associated with an increased risk of developing the most common type of leukaemia, helps cancer cells survive. The findings could lead to new ways to target the disease.

12 Aug 2016

NIH researchers design new set of assays for initial screening of patients with Fragile X syndrome

Fragile X syndrome, the most common heritable cause of intellectual disability and a frequent cause of autism, is characterized by abnormalities of the FMR1 gene that are difficult to analyze.

12 Aug 2016

Scientists discover key molecule that drives regeneration in planarian stem cells

Many living creatures possess exceptional abilities that set them apart from other species. Cheetahs can run up to 60 miles per hour; ants can lift 100 times their body weight; flatworms can regrow amputated body parts.

12 Aug 2016

Study provides detailed picture of genetics underlying type 2 diabetes

The largest study of its kind into type 2 diabetes has produced the most detailed picture to date of the genetics underlying the condition.

12 Aug 2016

Researchers uncover one way breast cancer tumors resist vital medication

A team of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine cancer researchers has uncovered one way certain tumors resist vital medication.

11 Aug 2016

Researchers develop new strategy to convert fibroblasts directly into neuronal cells

Researchers have used CRISPR -- a revolutionary new genetic engineering technique -- to convert cells isolated from mouse connective tissue directly into neuronal cells.

11 Aug 2016

Pancreatic cancer cells find alternative source of nutrition to avoid starvation

Pancreatic cancer cells avert starvation in dense tumors by ordering nearby support cells to supply them with an alternative source of nutrition.

11 Aug 2016

Novel PET radiotracer reveals epigenetic activity in the human brain for the first time

A novel PET radiotracer developed at the Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging at Massachusetts General Hospital is able for the first time to reveal epigenetic activity - the process that determines whether or not genes are expressed - within the human brain.

11 Aug 2016

RNA silencing technique developed by spinoff from UM-Madison effective in battling hepatitis B

A method for "silencing" RNA that emerged from a University of Wisconsin-Madison spinoff company is in clinical trials in Europe, Asia and the United States against hepatitis B, an infection that can destroy the liver.

11 Aug 2016

Cutting off fuel to cancer cells may be potential therapeutic strategy for Kras-driven lung cancers

Research from investigators at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and Princeton University has identified a new approach to cancer therapy in cutting off a cancer cell's 'fuel supply' by targeting a cellular survival mechanism known as autophagy.

11 Aug 2016

Penn study sheds light on role of essential compound in maintaining optimal muscle function

Maintaining proper levels of an essential helper molecule is crucial for optimal muscle function, according to a study led by Joseph Baur, PhD, an assistant professor of Physiology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

10 Aug 2016

Olympics officials find potential new trend in doping among athletes

Olympics officials already contending with the illegal use of steroids among athletes are now being proactive about a potential new trend in performance enhancement: gene doping.

10 Aug 2016

Cardinals appear as super-suppressors protecting Atlanta residents from West Nile Virus

A bird species that does a poor job spreading West Nile virus (WNV) but is particularly likely to get mosquito bites may explain why human infections with the disease are relatively uncommon in Atlanta, Georgia—despite evidence of high rates of virus circulating in the local bird population, according to a new study published online today in the American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

10 Aug 2016

Rare genetic variations linked to severe porphyria

An international research team has linked rare variations in a cell membrane protein to the wide variation in symptom severity that is a hallmark of porphyria, a rare disorder that often affects the skin, liver and nervous system.

10 Aug 2016

New Sequins technology could help improve quality of genomic analysis

Australian genomics researchers have announced the development of Sequins -- synthetic 'mirror' DNA sequences that reflect the human genome.

9 Aug 2016

Scientist receives $1.7 million grant to study how early life toxic exposures predispose to diabetes

Some studies indicate that early life exposure to pollutants such as PCBs and phthalates can predispose people to disease. Now environmental scientist Alicia Timme-Laragy at the University of Massachusetts Amherst has received a five-year, $1.7 million grant from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences for a multi-level study of early life exposure to environmental contaminants and aberrant pancreas development, which may predispose one to diabetes.

9 Aug 2016

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Scientists find new way to use CRISPR gene editing to help fix sickle cell disease

New study uncovers how chromosomal changes impact tumor formation and growth

St. Jude scientists identify key innate immune sensor that attacks influenza virus

Former SpaceX engineers launch Synthego, CRISPRevolution to accelerate genome engineering research

ICR researchers identify how genetic variant linked to leukaemia helps cancer cells survive

NIH researchers design new set of assays for initial screening of patients with Fragile X syndrome

Scientists discover key molecule that drives regeneration in planarian stem cells

Study provides detailed picture of genetics underlying type 2 diabetes

Researchers uncover one way breast cancer tumors resist vital medication

Researchers develop new strategy to convert fibroblasts directly into neuronal cells

Pancreatic cancer cells find alternative source of nutrition to avoid starvation

Novel PET radiotracer reveals epigenetic activity in the human brain for the first time

RNA silencing technique developed by spinoff from UM-Madison effective in battling hepatitis B

Cutting off fuel to cancer cells may be potential therapeutic strategy for Kras-driven lung cancers

Penn study sheds light on role of essential compound in maintaining optimal muscle function

Olympics officials find potential new trend in doping among athletes

Cardinals appear as super-suppressors protecting Atlanta residents from West Nile Virus

Rare genetic variations linked to severe porphyria

New Sequins technology could help improve quality of genomic analysis

Scientist receives $1.7 million grant to study how early life toxic exposures predispose to diabetes

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