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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 researchers show that DNA editing errors can lead to cancer

Sometimes when the immune system makes small mistakes, the body amplifies its response in a big way: Editing errors in the DNA of developing T and B cells can cause blood cancers. Now, researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania have shown that when the enzyme key to cutting and pasting segments of DNA hits so-called "off-target" spots on a chromosome, the development of immune cells can lead to cancer in animal models.

11 Sep 2015

NYU's Jin Kim Montclare develops dual-delivery system to potentially treat multi-drug resistant cancer cells

The National Science Foundation recently funded research aimed at developing an engineered protein-lipid system that simultaneously delivers genes and drugs for the potential treatment of multi-drug resistant cancer cells. The dual-delivery system could also apply to diabetes and other conditions requiring a variety of therapeutic approaches.

11 Sep 2015

New AGA guideline recommends colorectal cancer patients to undergo tumor test for Lynch syndrome

All colorectal cancer patients should undergo tumor testing to see if they carry Lynch syndrome, the most common inherited cause of colorectal cancer, according to a new guideline published in Gastroenterology, the official journal of the American Gastroenterological Association.

11 Sep 2015

Scientists elucidate genetic interaction that may prove key to development, progression of glaucoma

Scientists at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine have elucidated a genetic interaction that may prove key to the development and progression of glaucoma, a blinding neurodegenerative disease that affects tens of millions of people worldwide and is a leading cause of irreversible blindness.

11 Sep 2015

New research shows direct evidence of greater mitochondrial damage in Gulf War veterans

One in four Gulf War veterans suffers from Gulf War Illness (GWI). The condition is characterized by unexplainable chronic fatigue, muscle pain and cognitive dysfunction and may be associated with exposure to chemicals, many identified as genotoxins, during deployment.

11 Sep 2015

Hastings Center receives NSF grant for ethical analysis of next-generation prenatal genetic tests

Prenatal testing is changing dramatically. With greatly expanded low-cost genetic tests - some as simple as a maternal blood test - prospective parents will soon be able to learn far more, far earlier, than ever before about their fetuses' medical conditions and risks, and some nonmedical traits.

11 Sep 2015

New DNA analysis may guide personalized management of hepatocellular carcinoma

Detection of small fragments of tumor DNA, known as circulating tumor DNA, in a patient's pre-surgery serum samples predicts early recurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma and may guide treatment, according to a study published in Cellular and Molecular Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the basic and translational science journal of the American Gastroenterological Association.

10 Sep 2015

Northwestern University nanoscientist wins Raymond and Beverly Sackler Prize in Convergence Research

Northwestern University scientist Chad A. Mirkin, one of the world's leaders in nanotechnology research and its application, has been awarded the inaugural $400,000 Raymond and Beverly Sackler Prize in Convergence Research from the National Academy of Sciences.

10 Sep 2015

Genes that may mitigate smoking damage and cancer identified

Smoking has been shown to have drastic consequences for lifespan and disease progression, and it has been suggested that cigarette exposure may impact the risk of death and disease via its acceleration of the aging process. Not all smokers experience early mortality, however, and a small proportion manage to survive to extreme ages.

10 Sep 2015

DelMar presents updated VAL-083 Phase I/II trial data at GBM2015 meeting

DelMar Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialization of new cancer therapies, today presented updated clinical data from its Phase I/II study of lead product candidate VAL-083 (dianhydrogalactitol), in patients with refractory glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), at GBM2015: 2nd International Symposium on Clinical and Basic Investigation in Glioblastoma in Toledo, Spain.

10 Sep 2015

CureVac, IAVI team up to advance development, testing of AIDS vaccines

The non-profit International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) and biopharmaceutical company CureVac are partnering to accelerate the development of AIDS vaccines, utilizing novel immunogens developed by IAVI and partners, delivered via CureVac's novel messenger RNA (mRNA) technology.

10 Sep 2015

Researchers use nanopore technology for early detection of colorectal and lung cancers

Using tiny "nanopore" scanners that can detect individual DNA molecules, Professor Amit Meller and colleagues are on the hunt for biological markers in cancer cells that may help clinicians diagnose colorectal and lung cancers at their earliest stages.

10 Sep 2015

Dr Tavormina wins IDT award for global warming and methane sinks research

Integrated DNA Technologies (IDT), the world leader in custom oligonucleotide synthesis, awarded the inaugural IDT ISO 14001 Sustainability Award to Dr Patricia Tavormina of the Division of Geological and Planetary Sciences at the California Institute of Technology. Dr Tavormina's research focuses on naturally occurring methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB), and the role they play in limiting greenhouse gases, which contribute to global warming.

From Integrated DNA Technologies 10 Sep 2015

Smoking may not always shorten life, cause cancer

10 Sep 2015

New nanozyme test can help curb Ebola spread in western Africa

A new Ebola test that uses magnetic nanoparticles could help curb the spread of the disease in western Africa. Research published in Biosensors and Bioelectronics shows that the new test is 100 times more sensitive than the current test, and easier to use. Because of this, the new test makes it easier and cheaper to diagnose cases, enabling healthcare workers to isolate patients and prevent the spread of Ebola.

10 Sep 2015

New $2.8 million NIH grant to help researchers find better treatments for hemorrhagic strokes

Developing better treatments and an improved understanding of the biology behind brain injury from hemorrhagic strokes is the main goal of a three-year $2.8 million grant to the Translational Genomics Research Institute, Phoenix Children's Hospital, and Barrow Neurological Institute.

9 Sep 2015

Nearly 50% of testicular cancer risk passed down genetically, new study reports

Almost half of the risk of developing testicular cancer comes from the DNA passed down from our parents, a new study reports.

9 Sep 2015

New UC Davis study suggests that popular molecular tests over-diagnose C. difficile infections

Clostridium difficile is a common cause of infection and diarrhea in hospitalized patients, but a new study by UC Davis pathologists suggests that many patients are mistakenly diagnosed and do not need antibiotic treatment. As a result, patients are likely being over-diagnosed and over-treated, adding to concerns about antibiotic resistance, damage to the "good" bacteria that live in people's intestines, and increased health-care costs.

9 Sep 2015

Using whole genomes data to improve bowel cancer diagnosis: an interview with Professor Ian Tomlinson

The project aims to sequence the specified 100,000 genomes from two types of patients: first, those who may have rare inherited diseases caused by unknown or unidentified genes; and second, people with one of several types of cancer, including colorectal cancer.

9 Sep 2015

Penns' Abramson Cancer Center rated as 'exceptional' by NCI

The University of Pennsylvania's Abramson Cancer Center (ACC) has received an "exceptional" rating by the National Cancer Institute during an extensive peer-review process for its five-year competitive research support grant. The rating is the highest possible for an NCI cancer center.

9 Sep 2015

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Penn Medicine researchers show that DNA editing errors can lead to cancer

NYU's Jin Kim Montclare develops dual-delivery system to potentially treat multi-drug resistant cancer cells

New AGA guideline recommends colorectal cancer patients to undergo tumor test for Lynch syndrome

Scientists elucidate genetic interaction that may prove key to development, progression of glaucoma

New research shows direct evidence of greater mitochondrial damage in Gulf War veterans

Hastings Center receives NSF grant for ethical analysis of next-generation prenatal genetic tests

New DNA analysis may guide personalized management of hepatocellular carcinoma

Northwestern University nanoscientist wins Raymond and Beverly Sackler Prize in Convergence Research

Genes that may mitigate smoking damage and cancer identified

DelMar presents updated VAL-083 Phase I/II trial data at GBM2015 meeting

CureVac, IAVI team up to advance development, testing of AIDS vaccines

Researchers use nanopore technology for early detection of colorectal and lung cancers

Dr Tavormina wins IDT award for global warming and methane sinks research

Smoking may not always shorten life, cause cancer

New nanozyme test can help curb Ebola spread in western Africa

New $2.8 million NIH grant to help researchers find better treatments for hemorrhagic strokes

Nearly 50% of testicular cancer risk passed down genetically, new study reports

New UC Davis study suggests that popular molecular tests over-diagnose C. difficile infections

Using whole genomes data to improve bowel cancer diagnosis: an interview with Professor Ian Tomlinson

Penns' Abramson Cancer Center rated as 'exceptional' by NCI

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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