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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).

Existing cancer drugs may be able to help people with enlarged heart cells

UT Southwestern Medical Center cardiology researchers have identified molecular ties between the growth of cancer cells and heart cells that suggest existing cancer drugs may be able to help those with enlarged heart cells -- a condition that can lead to heart attacks and stroke.

18 Apr 2016

African sleeping sickness parasite has defence mechanism against potential pharmaceuticals

Researchers from Umea University in Sweden have discovered that the single-celled parasite causing African sleeping sickness has a defence mechanism against potential pharmaceuticals under development against the disease. The deadly parasite has an enzyme that can cleave and hence disarm adenosine analogue pharmaceuticals. This according to a study recently published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry.

18 Apr 2016

Intestinal bacteria can be used to reduce cancer risk, reveals UCLA study

Researchers have shown that various types of intestinal bacteria might be factors in both causing and preventing obesity, and in other conditions and diseases. Now, a UCLA study suggests that it could also potentially be used to reduce the risk for some types of cancer.

16 Apr 2016

Scientists identify human protein that weakens immune response to HIV, other viruses

Scientists at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have identified a human (host) protein that weakens the immune response to HIV and other viruses. The findings, published today in Cell Host & Microbe, have important implications for improving HIV antiviral therapies, creating effective viral vaccines, and advance a new approach to treat cancer.

16 Apr 2016

MicroRNAs circulating in blood could lead to first diagnostic test for asthma

People with asthma have telltale molecules circulating in their blood, say researchers at Penn State College of Medicine. The discovery could lead to the first diagnostic blood test for asthma, as well as more targeted treatments for the condition.

16 Apr 2016

Genetic modification of common virus gives extra weapon to kill cancer cells

A common flu virus could be used to overcome patients' resistance to certain cancer drugs -- and improve how those drugs kill cancer cells, according to new research from Queen Mary University of London.

16 Apr 2016

Removal of Dnmt1 enzyme during OPC differentiation could lead to neurological symptoms

The removal of the enzyme Dnmt1 during oligodendrocyte progenitor cell (OPC) differentiation in the central nervous system resulted in inefficient myelin formation and neurological deterioration, including loss of control of bodily movements, in mice, according to a study conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and published today in the medical journal Cell Reports. The results could lead to a new understanding of multiple sclerosis and other myelin disorders in humans.

16 Apr 2016

FOXO proteins affect dozens of genes common to worms, flies, mice and humans

Whether a creature is a worm, a fly, a mouse, or a human, death inevitably awaits. And not only do these organisms share a common fate, but also, according to a new study, they may share some of the specific mechanisms of mortality. The researchers found that in all four species, there are 46 genes regulated by the same family of "FOXO" proteins known to be central in aging and longevity.

16 Apr 2016

Epigenomics receives FDA approval for Epi proColon®

Epigenomics AG, the German-American cancer molecular diagnostics company, has announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the Company’s lead product, Epi proColon®, the first and only FDA-approved blood-based colorectal cancer screening test.

14 Apr 2016

Oxford Gene Technology develops new FISH probes in ‘outstanding’ Innovate UK project

Oxford Gene Technology (OGT), The Molecular Genetics Company, has developed a new range of non-human fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH) probes, for pig, chicken and mouse. The probes were developed as part of an Innovate UK knowledge transfer partnership (KTP) funded project in collaboration with the University of Kent, and was given an ‘outstanding’ award reserved for the top 10% of KTP projects.

13 Apr 2016

TDF, entecavir duo 'highly effective' for difficult-to-treat chronic HBV

The combination of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and entecavir induces a high rate of viral suppression in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection who have failed multiple nucleos(t)ide analogue regimens, phase IIIb results indicate.

13 Apr 2016

Dynamic HBsAg measurements predict HBV inactivity

In patients with hepatitis B e antigen-negative chronic hepatitis B virus infection, repeated measurement of hepatitis B surface antigen during long-term follow-up can help identify those with inactive virus, suggests a chart review.

13 Apr 2016

HLA-C/KIR genotype linked to HBeAg-positive HBV interferon response

The human leucocyte antigen-C and killer immunoglobin-like receptor genotypes are associated with response to interferon-based therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection positive for hepatitis B e antigen, say researchers.

13 Apr 2016

Umea University researchers find link between levels of DNA building blocks and colon cancer

When cells divide, the proper balance between the four DNA building blocks is required in order for the DNA to be copied without the introduction of potentially harmful mutations. Researchers at Umea University in Sweden have now shown a connection between levels of DNA building blocks - dNTPs - and colon cancer. This discovery has been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

13 Apr 2016

Scientists use FAN1 knockout mice to refine detailed mechanisms involved in damaged DNA repair

Like jewels in a vault, our precious genetic material is stored in the nucleus of a cell--sequestered away from potentially damaging cellular components and toxins so that no harm can come to it. Yet over the course of a life moving through this world, our DNA does get damaged, and our cells have a host of complicated repair mechanisms to deal with such injuries.

13 Apr 2016

Certain red blood cell manufacturing methods may be less damaging to cells than others

Scientists from Blood Systems Research Institute in San Francisco, California, and Canadian Blood Services' Centre for Innovation lab in Edmonton, Alberta, report for the first time that specific red blood cell manufacturing methods may be less damaging to cells than others.

12 Apr 2016

Porvair Sciences to launch new microplate for genomics at Analytica 2016

Porvair Sciences has announced that it will launch an exciting new microplate for genomics sample preparation at the forthcoming Analytica 2016 exhibition in Munich, Germany.

From Porvair Sciences Limited 12 Apr 2016

Flexible ramp scripting interface added for BioScope Resolve BioAFM

At the 7th AFM BioMed Conference, Bruker’s Nano Surfaces Division today announced the release of RampScript™, which provides extensive new scripting capabilities for the BioScope Resolve® BioAFM. BioScope Resolve has set new standards for highest resolution AFM imaging with the first ever images of microvilli on live cells and by routinely resolving submolecular structures, such as the major and minor groove of DNA, while operating on an inverted microscope.

From Bruker Nano Surfaces and Metrology 11 Apr 2016

Newcastle scientists develop new type of genetic blood test to diagnose liver scarring

Newcastle scientists and medics have developed a new type of genetic blood test that diagnoses scarring in the liver - even before someone may feel ill.

11 Apr 2016

New study suggests that Neanderthals across Europe may have diseases carried out of Africa

A new study suggests that Neanderthals across Europe may well have been infected with diseases carried out of Africa by waves of anatomically modern humans, or Homo sapiens. As both were species of hominin, it would have been easier for pathogens to jump populations, say researchers. This might have contributed to the demise of Neanderthals.

11 Apr 2016

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Existing cancer drugs may be able to help people with enlarged heart cells

African sleeping sickness parasite has defence mechanism against potential pharmaceuticals

Intestinal bacteria can be used to reduce cancer risk, reveals UCLA study

Scientists identify human protein that weakens immune response to HIV, other viruses

MicroRNAs circulating in blood could lead to first diagnostic test for asthma

Genetic modification of common virus gives extra weapon to kill cancer cells

Removal of Dnmt1 enzyme during OPC differentiation could lead to neurological symptoms

FOXO proteins affect dozens of genes common to worms, flies, mice and humans

Epigenomics receives FDA approval for Epi proColon®

Oxford Gene Technology develops new FISH probes in ‘outstanding’ Innovate UK project

TDF, entecavir duo 'highly effective' for difficult-to-treat chronic HBV

Dynamic HBsAg measurements predict HBV inactivity

HLA-C/KIR genotype linked to HBeAg-positive HBV interferon response

Umea University researchers find link between levels of DNA building blocks and colon cancer

Scientists use FAN1 knockout mice to refine detailed mechanisms involved in damaged DNA repair

Certain red blood cell manufacturing methods may be less damaging to cells than others

Porvair Sciences to launch new microplate for genomics at Analytica 2016

Flexible ramp scripting interface added for BioScope Resolve BioAFM

Newcastle scientists develop new type of genetic blood test to diagnose liver scarring

New study suggests that Neanderthals across Europe may have diseases carried out of Africa

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