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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).

Penn Medicine announces $375,000 in new grants to support BRCA-focused research projects

Penn Medicine's Basser Center for BRCA announced $375,000 in new grant funding to support BRCA-focused research projects across the nation. The grants are aimed at advancing the care of patients living with BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations.

7 Oct 2015

New diagnostic technology based on computer algorithms can quickly identify source of cancer

In by far the majority of cancer cases, the doctor can quickly identify the source of the disease, for example cancer of the liver, lungs, etc. However, in about one in 20 cases, the doctor can confirm that the patient has cancer—but cannot find the source. These patients then face the prospect of a long wait with numerous diagnostic tests and attempts to locate the origin of the cancer before starting any treatment.

7 Oct 2015

New studies suggest ways to improve cancer care by inhibiting oncogenes, boosting tumor-suppressor activity

Two new studies by cancer scientists at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC - James) suggest new approaches for treating cancer by inhibiting overactive cancer-promoting genes and by enhancing the activity of sluggish tumor-suppressor genes.

7 Oct 2015

New nanometer-scale DNA machine can be used for detecting HIV diagnostic antibodies

New research may revolutionize the slow, cumbersome and expensive process of detecting the antibodies that can help with the diagnosis of infectious and auto-immune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and HIV.

7 Oct 2015

Jumping genes: a marker for early cancer diagnosis? An interview with Dr Kazazian

In the genome of every human being, there are about 80-100 active LINE-1s that are capable of mobilizing by a copy and paste mechanism to a new location in the genome.

6 Oct 2015

New UV-Vis spectrophotometer simplifies sample quality decisions

Life scientists who work with DNA, RNA and proteins can make educated decisions about sample suitability in experiments using a standalone, microvolume spectrophotometer for accurate quantitation and purity measurements to ensure downstream application success.

From Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. 6 Oct 2015

Epilepsy Society becomes third customer of Complete Genomics' newly introduced Revolocity system

Complete Genomics, Inc., a leader in whole human genome sequencing, announced today that leading UK charity Epilepsy Society has become the third customer of the company's newly introduced Revolocity system, a supersequencer for large-scale, high-quality whole genome and whole exome sequencing.

6 Oct 2015

NIH-funded researchers test new gene therapy to improve visual function in mice

Researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health have developed a novel mouse model for the vision disorder Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), and found that they can use gene therapy to improve visual function in the mice. LHON is one of many diseases tied to gene mutations that damage the tiny energy factories that power our cells, called mitochondria.

6 Oct 2015

New smartphone-based device can reliably perform molecular diagnoses at low cost

NIBIB-funded researchers at the Massachusetts General Hospital have developed a smartphone-based device that can reliably carry out molecular diagnoses in under an hour for approximately two dollars per patient. The device could enable point-of-care cancer diagnostics in low- to middle-income or remote areas, which often have high rates of mortality from cancer due to missed opportunities for treatment.

6 Oct 2015

U of T study provides hope for treating ALS and FTD

It's the most common cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), but until now scientists weren't sure how a specific gene caused these devastating diseases. Now researchers from the University of Toronto are one step closer to solving this incredibly complex puzzle, offering hope for treatment.

6 Oct 2015

Novel computational strategy may help identify genetic variants that cause disease in children

The team behind the Deciphering Developmental Disorders (DDD) Study, one of the world's largest nationwide rare disease genome-wide sequencing initiatives, have developed a novel computational approach to identify genetic variants that cause disease in young children.

6 Oct 2015

Paradigm failure is primary reason for lack of progress in cancer research, says cancer biologist

A recent publication, which received sustained media attention, claimed that most cancers are just “bad luck”. Its authors stated that only about one-third of cancer mutations are caused by known lifestyle or environmental factors.

6 Oct 2015

Clinical data from spinal muscular atrophy program presented at 20th International WMS Congress

PTC Therapeutics, Inc., today announced that clinical data from the company's joint development program with Roche and the SMA Foundation in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) were presented at the 20th International Congress of the World Muscle Society (WMS) in Brighton, U.K.

5 Oct 2015

International team of scientists create world's largest catalog of genomic variations among humans

An international team of scientists from the 1000 Genomes Project Consortium has created the world's largest catalog of genomic differences among humans, providing researchers with powerful clues to help them establish why some people are susceptible to various diseases. While most differences in peoples' genomes - called variants - are harmless, some are beneficial, while others contribute to diseases and conditions, ranging from cognitive disabilities to susceptibilities to cancer, obesity, diabetes, heart disease and other disorders.

1 Oct 2015

Researchers identify new gene locus that may protect children from developing malaria in Africa

Published today in Nature, the findings detail a new gene locus that can explain why, in communities where everyone is constantly exposed to malaria, some children develop severe malaria and others don't. Now, researchers can be sure that this particular stretch of our DNA plays a crucial role in the progression of the disease.

1 Oct 2015

Researchers discover five new genetic variants associated with brain cancer

The biggest ever study of DNA from people with glioma - the most common form of brain cancer - has discovered five new genetic variants associated with the disease.

1 Oct 2015

Study suggests link between human endogenous retroviral genes and ALS

Scientists at the National Institutes of Health discovered that reactivation of ancient viral genes embedded in the human genome may cause the destruction of neurons in some forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

1 Oct 2015

New reference catalogue may help guide future studies of genetics, evolution and disease

Missing a gene may be less problematic than you'd think. This is one of the conclusions that emerge from the most extensive catalogue of structural variations - changes in large sections of a person's DNA sequence - to date.

1 Oct 2015

New RNA tools for CRISPR/Cas9

Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT) will host an informative webinar, entitled ‘New RNA Tools for Optimized CRISPR/Cas9 Genome Editing’, on Wednesday, October 7, 2015. Ashley Jacobi, a scientist in the Molecular Genetics Applied Research Group at IDT, and an expert in the application of synthetic nucleic acids, will present the webinar at 9 am and 1 pm Central Standard Time.

From Integrated DNA Technologies 1 Oct 2015

Unlocking the genes behind antibiotic resistance: an interview with Professor Romesberg

Bacteria are very, very diverse. This is why their susceptibility to different antibiotics can be very different. It also makes the tools they have to evolve resistance in many cases different.

30 Sep 2015

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Penn Medicine announces $375,000 in new grants to support BRCA-focused research projects

New diagnostic technology based on computer algorithms can quickly identify source of cancer

New studies suggest ways to improve cancer care by inhibiting oncogenes, boosting tumor-suppressor activity

New nanometer-scale DNA machine can be used for detecting HIV diagnostic antibodies

Jumping genes: a marker for early cancer diagnosis? An interview with Dr Kazazian

New UV-Vis spectrophotometer simplifies sample quality decisions

Epilepsy Society becomes third customer of Complete Genomics' newly introduced Revolocity system

NIH-funded researchers test new gene therapy to improve visual function in mice

New smartphone-based device can reliably perform molecular diagnoses at low cost

U of T study provides hope for treating ALS and FTD

Novel computational strategy may help identify genetic variants that cause disease in children

Paradigm failure is primary reason for lack of progress in cancer research, says cancer biologist

Clinical data from spinal muscular atrophy program presented at 20th International WMS Congress

International team of scientists create world's largest catalog of genomic variations among humans

Researchers identify new gene locus that may protect children from developing malaria in Africa

Researchers discover five new genetic variants associated with brain cancer

Study suggests link between human endogenous retroviral genes and ALS

New reference catalogue may help guide future studies of genetics, evolution and disease

New RNA tools for CRISPR/Cas9

Unlocking the genes behind antibiotic resistance: an interview with Professor Romesberg

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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