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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).

Genetic information of patients with IBD could provide road map for more effective treatments

Genetic variation in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) appears to play a major role in determining how sick they will become and could provide a road map for more effective treatments.

1 Dec 2015

The Importance of Flexibility in Spectrophotometry

News-Medical speaks to Jessica Geisler about the need for flexible spectrophotometers that can handle a range of measurement types.

From Eppendorf 1 Dec 2015

Discovery may lead to potential new therapeutic approach to eradicate blood cancers

An international team of scientists, headed by researchers at UC San Diego School of Medicine and UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, report that decreases in a specific group of proteins trigger changes in the cancer microenvironment that accelerate growth and development of therapy-resistant cancer stem cells (CSCs).

1 Dec 2015

TGen, Barrow researchers identify genetic risk factors linked to stress-induced cardiomyopathy

Researchers at the Translational Genomics Research Institute and Barrow Neurological Institute have for the first time identified genetic risk factors that are linked to stress-induced cardiomyopathy (SIC), a rare type of heart disease.

1 Dec 2015

Low levels of BRCA1 protein in the brain linked to dementia

Mutant forms of breast cancer factor 1 (BRCA1) are associated with breast and ovarian cancers but according to new findings, in the brain the normal BRCA1 gene product may also be linked to Alzheimer's disease. The results, published in Nature Communications, suggest that low levels of BRCA1 protein in the brain may contribute to dementia.

1 Dec 2015

Johns Hopkins researchers develop method to turn stem cells into retinal ganglion cells

Johns Hopkins researchers have developed a method to efficiently turn human stem cells into retinal ganglion cells, the type of nerve cells located within the retina that transmit visual signals from the eye to the brain. Death and dysfunction of these cells cause vision loss in conditions like glaucoma and multiple sclerosis.

1 Dec 2015

DNA sequence variation can influence gene activity in developing human brain

An international research collaboration has shed new light on how DNA sequence variation can influence gene activity in the developing human brain.

1 Dec 2015

Research sheds light on genetic factors involved in autoimmune diseases

A collaboration between researchers at the Babraham Institute and the University of Manchester has mapped the physical connections occurring in the genome to shed light on the parts of the genome involved in autoimmune diseases. Using a new technique, called Capture Hi-C, the team revealed novel insights into how changes in the genetic sequence have a biological effect and increase the risk of disease.

30 Nov 2015

BRCA1 depletion can potentially contribute to cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease

Researchers from the Gladstone Institutes have shown for the first time that the protein BRCA1 is required for normal learning and memory and is depleted by Alzheimer's disease.

30 Nov 2015

New research reveals how gaps between gene interactions influence disease risk

New research from The University of Manchester and the Brabraham Institute has revealed how gaps between genes interact to influence the risk of acquiring diseases such as arthritis and type 1 diabetes.

30 Nov 2015

Improved Survival In HPV-Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer Patients Confirmed

A large population-based study has confirmed the association between the presence of human papillomavirus DNA in oropharyngeal squamous cell cancer and improved patient survival.

27 Nov 2015

Epilepsy common but variable in mitochondrial disease patients

Around a quarter of patients with mitochondrial diseases have seizures, but these do not appear to increase their risk of dying, report researchers.

27 Nov 2015

Exploring how absence of ASS1 protein affects sick children may provide a 'lens' on cancer

What can a rare genetic childhood disease teach us about cancer? Dr. Ayelet Erez of the Weizmann Institute of Science's Department of Biological Regulation says: "A single-mutation disease can act as a 'lens.' If we find exactly what malfunctions in the sick child, we can zoom in and understand the role of the same gene among the many genetic changes that accompany cancer."

26 Nov 2015

Research reveals MECP2 Duplication Syndrome can be reversed

The methyl CpG binding protein 2 gene (MECP2) produces a protein of the same name, the level of which is critical for normal brain function. Mutations leading to protein under-expression cause Rett Syndrome while gene duplication causing over-expression lead to MECP2 Duplication Syndrome. Both disorders are severely debilitating childhood neurological diseases.

26 Nov 2015

Scientists map out genes that keep cancer cells alive

Scientists have mapped out the genes that keep our cells alive, creating a long-awaited foothold for understanding how our genome works and which genes are crucial in disease like cancer.

26 Nov 2015

Researchers aiming to improve accuracy of current diagnostics for Leishmania infantum kinetoplast

In an article published in Small, researchers successfully applied a new qualitative and quantitative method for the detection of a DNA sequence characteristic of Leishmania infantum kinetoplast, a frequent parasite in veterinary that affects humans too.

26 Nov 2015

Research brings scientists closer to understanding mechanisms underlying genomic imprinting process

Research led by Dr. Keiji Tanimoto from the University of Tsukuba, Japan, has brought us closer to understanding the mechanisms underlying the phenomenon of genomic imprinting.

25 Nov 2015

New sensor can detect estrogen levels in liquids

Estrogen is a tiny molecule, but it can have big effects on humans and other animals. Estrogen is one of the main hormones that regulates the female reproductive system - it can be monitored to track human fertility and is sometimes administered to livestock like cows and sheep to control the reproductive cycle.

25 Nov 2015

Researchers offer novel solution to promote successful radiotherapy for cancer patients

Researchers at The Tisch Cancer Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have discovered a key mechanism by which radiation treatment (radiotherapy) fails to completely destroy tumors. And, in the journal Nature Immunology, they offer a novel solution to promote successful radiotherapy for the millions of cancer patients who are treated with it.

25 Nov 2015

Fat cells produced from bone marrow may be linked to chronic diseases

Researchers at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus have found that fat cells produced by stem cells from the bone marrow may be linked to chronic illnesses like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, kidney disease and some cancers.

25 Nov 2015

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Genetic information of patients with IBD could provide road map for more effective treatments

The Importance of Flexibility in Spectrophotometry

Discovery may lead to potential new therapeutic approach to eradicate blood cancers

TGen, Barrow researchers identify genetic risk factors linked to stress-induced cardiomyopathy

Low levels of BRCA1 protein in the brain linked to dementia

Johns Hopkins researchers develop method to turn stem cells into retinal ganglion cells

DNA sequence variation can influence gene activity in developing human brain

Research sheds light on genetic factors involved in autoimmune diseases

BRCA1 depletion can potentially contribute to cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease

New research reveals how gaps between gene interactions influence disease risk

Improved Survival In HPV-Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer Patients Confirmed

Epilepsy common but variable in mitochondrial disease patients

Exploring how absence of ASS1 protein affects sick children may provide a 'lens' on cancer

Research reveals MECP2 Duplication Syndrome can be reversed

Scientists map out genes that keep cancer cells alive

Researchers aiming to improve accuracy of current diagnostics for Leishmania infantum kinetoplast

Research brings scientists closer to understanding mechanisms underlying genomic imprinting process

New sensor can detect estrogen levels in liquids

Researchers offer novel solution to promote successful radiotherapy for cancer patients

Fat cells produced from bone marrow may be linked to chronic diseases

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