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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).

Delivering microRNAs in cancer treatment: an interview with Dr Conde and Prof Artzi

microRNAs (miRs) are small endogenous noncoding RNA molecules (20–23 nucleotides) derived from imperfectly paired hairpin RNA structures naturally encoded in the genome that act specifically as triggering molecules to control translational repression or mRNA degradation.

11 Mar 2016

Russian scientists propose new technique to analyze intestinal metagenomes

A group of Russian scientists, among them staff at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, have proposed a new method for the comparison of metagenome-coupled DNA sequences from all of the organisms in a sample of biological material being investigated.

11 Mar 2016

Early life exposure to lead can alter gut microbiota, contribute to increased body weight in adulthood

Exposure to lead during early development can alter the the gut microbiota, increasing the chances for obesity in adulthood, researchers from the University of Michigan School of Public Health have found.

11 Mar 2016

Researchers develop new process for synthesis of potent anti-cancer agents

A team led by Rice University synthetic organic chemist K.C. Nicolaou has developed a new process for the synthesis of a series of potent anti-cancer agents originally found in bacteria.

10 Mar 2016

CYP3A7 gene may over-activate metabolism, reduce effectiveness of cancer treatments

Some patients with breast cancer, lung cancer and leukaemia seem to fare poorly after treatment because of the effects of a particular gene, a new study finds.

10 Mar 2016

Gar genome helps identify genetic sequences shared by human disease genes and zebrafish

Led by Drs John Postlethwait and Ingo Braasch from the Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, US, in collaboration with the Broad Institute, the study of the Spotted Gar (Lepisosteus oculatus) genome reveals that it is small and manageable. Furthermore, it lacks much shuffling and duplication that occurred in the 'main' fish ancestral line; it conserved its genome.

10 Mar 2016

Real-world data confirm TDF efficacy for HBV

Treatment with tenofovir disoproxil fumarate elicits sustained virological responses and exhibits a favourable safety profile in a diverse population of patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection, shows a French routine clinical practice study.

10 Mar 2016

Resistance to prior antiviral agents impacts TDF response

Taiwanese researchers find that virological response to tenofovir disoproxil fumarate in treatment-experienced patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection can vary depending on the nucleos(t)ide analogue the patient is resistant to.

10 Mar 2016

Clinical review examines benefit of RT in breast cancer patients with BRCA1, BRCA2 mutations

In light of conflicting and inconclusive clinical data on the benefit of radiation therapy in cancer patients with the BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutation, a clinical review examined the current status of data regarding BRCA1 and BRCA2 deficiency and radiation therapy sensitivity and a potential strategy to intensify the effects of radiation therapy (RT) by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPi), the pharmacologic drugs under investigation as monotherapy for the treatment of breast cancer in patients with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations.

9 Mar 2016

Gut microbial imbalance appears to be underlying cause of fatal intestinal illness in premature babies

An imbalance of certain gut microbes appears to be the underlying cause of a frequently fatal intestinal illness in premature babies, according to new research led by Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis

9 Mar 2016

Changes in gut bacteria strongly associated with PCOS-related obesity

Modifying gut bacteria could be a treatment option for some of the symptoms associated with the widespread disease polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), according to a recent study by San Diego State University researchers in collaboration with investigators from the University of California, San Diego.

8 Mar 2016

CNIO researchers find panoramic view of proteins that intervene in a cellular process

Three years ago, the research team directed by Óscar Fernández-Capetillo, head of the Genomic Instability Group at the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre, obtained, for the first time, a panoramic view of the proteins that intervene in one of the most important and delicate cellular processes: the copying of genetic material during cellular division. They observed that the parts of the genome where the DNA was copied were also very rich in the modification by some very particular proteins, SUMOylations, and poor in others, ubiquitinations, but they were unable to understand why.

8 Mar 2016

Research could change the way people look at gene expression, immune response

Research from the Single-Cell Genomics Centre on the Wellcome Genome Campus could change the way we look at gene expression and immune response. Published in Nature Methods, the new method, TraCeR, provides a powerful tool for research into immune response, vaccination, cancer and autoimmunity.

8 Mar 2016

Specialized tests can help dermatologists provide individualized care for melanoma patients

Melanoma rates in the United States have doubled over the past two decades.1 Fortunately for patients, this increase in melanoma incidence has been accompanied by the development of more effective tools for diagnosis and treatment, including genetic and molecular testing.

7 Mar 2016

Blood test may spot first signs of skin cancer relapse

A BLOOD test may be able to sound early warning bells that patients with advanced melanoma skin cancer are relapsing, according to a study published in the journal Cancer Discovery today (Monday).

7 Mar 2016

Absence of PEMT enzyme leads to development of fatty liver disease and tumours in thin patients

Researchers observe protection against obesity and insulin resistance but at the cost of prominent fatty liver disease in mice lacking the PEMT enzyme and patients with low levels of PEMT.

7 Mar 2016

CTRC study provides new insight into how Angelina Jolie gene functions in normal breast tissue

Scientists from the Cancer Therapy & Research Center in San Antonio today (March 4) published work that provides deeper insight into how the Angelina Jolie gene, BRCA1, functions in normal breast tissue and how its loss results in breast cancer.

7 Mar 2016

Johns Hopkins Greenberg Bladder Cancer Institute awards grants for 10 bladder cancer research projects

A study of obesity and related metabolic changes on bladder cancer incidence and deaths, and a plan to use stem cells to grow novel urinary tubes are among 10 research projects awarded funding by the Johns Hopkins Greenberg Bladder Cancer Institute.

7 Mar 2016

Athletes carrying specific genotype at greater risk of prolonged recovery following concussion

Genetic research on concussions is progressing in many different avenues. However, researchers presenting their work at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's Specialty Day, believe there may be a new genetic connection regarding recovery rates following a sports-related concussion.

7 Mar 2016

Idelvion approved for use in children and adults with Hemophilia B

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today approved Idelvion, Coagulation Factor IX (Recombinant), Albumin Fusion Protein, for use in children and adults with Hemophilia B. Idelvion is the first coagulation factor-albumin fusion protein product to be approved, and the second Factor IX fusion protein product approved in the U.S. that is modified to last longer in the blood.

7 Mar 2016

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Delivering microRNAs in cancer treatment: an interview with Dr Conde and Prof Artzi

Russian scientists propose new technique to analyze intestinal metagenomes

Early life exposure to lead can alter gut microbiota, contribute to increased body weight in adulthood

Researchers develop new process for synthesis of potent anti-cancer agents

CYP3A7 gene may over-activate metabolism, reduce effectiveness of cancer treatments

Gar genome helps identify genetic sequences shared by human disease genes and zebrafish

Real-world data confirm TDF efficacy for HBV

Resistance to prior antiviral agents impacts TDF response

Clinical review examines benefit of RT in breast cancer patients with BRCA1, BRCA2 mutations

Gut microbial imbalance appears to be underlying cause of fatal intestinal illness in premature babies

Changes in gut bacteria strongly associated with PCOS-related obesity

CNIO researchers find panoramic view of proteins that intervene in a cellular process

Research could change the way people look at gene expression, immune response

Specialized tests can help dermatologists provide individualized care for melanoma patients

Blood test may spot first signs of skin cancer relapse

Absence of PEMT enzyme leads to development of fatty liver disease and tumours in thin patients

CTRC study provides new insight into how Angelina Jolie gene functions in normal breast tissue

Johns Hopkins Greenberg Bladder Cancer Institute awards grants for 10 bladder cancer research projects

Athletes carrying specific genotype at greater risk of prolonged recovery following concussion

Idelvion approved for use in children and adults with Hemophilia B

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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