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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).

Researchers identify gene crucial to development of coeliac disease

Coeliac disease is a chronic, immunological disease that is manifested as intolerance to gluten proteins present in wheat, rye and barley. This intolerance leads to an inflammatory reaction in the small intestine that hampers the absorption of nutrients. The only treatment is a strict, life-long, gluten-free diet.

11 Apr 2016

Simple blood test rapidly detects key genetic mutations in non-small cell lung tumors

A simple blood test can rapidly and accurately detect mutations in two key genes in non-small cell lung tumors, researchers at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and other institutions report in a new study - demonstrating the test's potential as a clinical tool for identifying patients who can benefit from drugs targeting those mutations.

11 Apr 2016

AstraZeneca, MedImmune to present new clinical trial and scientific data on lung cancer treatments at ELCC 2016

AstraZeneca and its global biologics research and development arm, MedImmune, will report new clinical trial and scientific data from their industry-leading lung cancer franchise of marketed and pipeline medicines at the European Lung Cancer Conference in Geneva, Switzerland, 13 -16 April 2016.

11 Apr 2016

Baker’s yeast could help in finding disease-causing mutations

It's easier than ever to sequence our DNA, but doctors still can't exactly tell from our genomes which diseases might befall us. Professor Fritz Roth is setting out to change this by going to basics -- to our billion-year-old cousin, baker's yeast.

7 Apr 2016

New study demonstrates diversity, resourcefulness of Vibrio cholera

In humans, cholera is among the world's most deadly diseases, killing as many as 140,000 persons a year, according to World Health Organization statistics. But in aquatic environments far away from humans, the same bacterium attacks neighboring microbes with a toxic spear - and often steals DNA from other microorganisms to expand its own capabilities.

7 Apr 2016

Person's age, mobility could be powerful predictors of survival than certain biomarkers

Advances in technology allow scientists to measure intricate details about the human body that greatly enhance understanding of health, disease and aging.

7 Apr 2016

Researchers develop innovative method for gene transfer

Researchers have developed a new and highly efficient method for gene transfer. The technique, which involves culturing and transfecting cells with genetic material on an array of carbon nanotubes, appears to overcome the limitations of other gene editing technologies.

7 Apr 2016

Forensic scientists find that HSV-1 strains could be useful for tracing a person's history

The genomes of two distinct strains of the virus that causes the common lip cold sore, herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), have been identified within the same person -- an achievement that could be useful to forensic scientists for tracing a person's history.

6 Apr 2016

Maternal smoking influences epigenetic programming of unborn child's genetic make-up

If mothers smoke during pregnancy, they influence the epigenetic programming of their unborn child's genetic make-up in the long term. This may give rise to an increased risk of the development of disease risks later in the child's life.

5 Apr 2016

Vanderbilt, Celgene collaborate to accelerate development of personalized therapies

Vanderbilt University Medical Center has entered into a strategic research agreement with Celgene Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company based in Summit, New Jersey.

5 Apr 2016

Pediatric researchers uncover new syndrome that causes intellectual disability

Pediatric researchers, using high-speed DNA sequencing tools, have identified a new syndrome that causes intellectual disability (ID). Drawing on knowledge of the causative gene mutation, the scientists' cell studies suggest that an amino acid supplement may offer a targeted treatment for children with this condition.

5 Apr 2016

Researchers develop novel vaccine strategy to protect against Chikungunya virus

The Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is transmitted through mosquitoes and causes fever and joint pain that can sometimes become severe and disabling. Outbreaks of the virus have already occurred in Africa, Asia, and Europe, and in late 2013, the virus was first seen in the Americas with the number of cases dramatically increased. No vaccine to prevent or treat this virus currently exists.

2 Apr 2016

U of S-led researchers develop novel class of compounds for effective cancer treatment

A novel class of compounds developed by a University of Saskatchewan-led research team could yield more effective and less toxic chemotherapy drugs to treat cancer.

2 Apr 2016

Lund researchers discover new biomarker that can predict type 2 diabetes risk

Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have found a new type of biomarker that can predict the risk of type 2 diabetes, by detecting epigenetic changes in specific genes through a simple blood test. The results are published today in Nature Communications.

2 Apr 2016

German scientists use DNA molecules to make nanoscale component

In order for a machine to perform work, it needs parts that move relative to each other. This also holds true for nanoscale machines. German scientists have now used DNA molecules to make a nanoscale component that makes it possible for two individual parts to move relative to each other. As reported in the journal Angewandte Chemie, this component could be used as a molecular guide bearing and may form the basis for more complex systems.

1 Apr 2016

Study may help identify unborn children at higher risk for birth defects

Researchers at the University of Toronto have discovered a novel function performed by the breast cancer 1 protein (BRCA1), which regulates DNA repair. Well known for the role it plays in breast and ovarian cancer, this study revealed that the BRCA1 protein actually plays a much broader biological role, particularly in protecting the developing embryo from the damaging effects of reactive oxygen species (ROS).

1 Apr 2016

Tumor suppressor p53 gene twice as likely to be defective in autistic children

A large study by researchers with the UC Davis MIND Institute has found that a gene whose role is to suppress cellular damage from environmental stressors is nearly twice as likely to be defective in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and that the deficit is also present in their fathers.

1 Apr 2016

Study points to possible new genetic risk factor for celiac disease

Researchers have identified a common variant in a non-coding RNA that may contribute to the intestinal inflammation that occurs in people with celiac disease. The findings point to a possible new risk factor for developing celiac disease in people with celiac disease risk genes.

1 Apr 2016

DNA changes may affect a person's lifespan

Scientists have identified DNA changes that can cut a person's lifespan by up to three years.

31 Mar 2016

Scientists develop mouse model to gain new insights into genetic mechanisms underlying AML

A novel mouse model of a highly lethal form of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) offers a new tool for scientists working to better understand this disease and research new therapeutic targets.

31 Mar 2016

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Researchers identify gene crucial to development of coeliac disease

Simple blood test rapidly detects key genetic mutations in non-small cell lung tumors

AstraZeneca, MedImmune to present new clinical trial and scientific data on lung cancer treatments at ELCC 2016

Baker’s yeast could help in finding disease-causing mutations

New study demonstrates diversity, resourcefulness of Vibrio cholera

Person's age, mobility could be powerful predictors of survival than certain biomarkers

Researchers develop innovative method for gene transfer

Forensic scientists find that HSV-1 strains could be useful for tracing a person's history

Maternal smoking influences epigenetic programming of unborn child's genetic make-up

Vanderbilt, Celgene collaborate to accelerate development of personalized therapies

Pediatric researchers uncover new syndrome that causes intellectual disability

Researchers develop novel vaccine strategy to protect against Chikungunya virus

U of S-led researchers develop novel class of compounds for effective cancer treatment

Lund researchers discover new biomarker that can predict type 2 diabetes risk

German scientists use DNA molecules to make nanoscale component

Study may help identify unborn children at higher risk for birth defects

Tumor suppressor p53 gene twice as likely to be defective in autistic children

Study points to possible new genetic risk factor for celiac disease

DNA changes may affect a person's lifespan

Scientists develop mouse model to gain new insights into genetic mechanisms underlying AML

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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