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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).

New study identifies genetic link to peanut allergy

Researchers have pinpointed a region in the human genome associated with peanut allergy in U.S. children, offering strong evidence that genes can play a role in the development of food allergies.

25 Feb 2015

Study: Gene variant linked to increased risk of vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy in children

Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who had a certain gene variant experienced a higher incidence and severity of peripheral neuropathy after receiving treatment with the cancer drug vincristine, according to a study in the February 24 issue of JAMA.

25 Feb 2015

Researchers find that new targeted drugs can attack weak spots in cancer cells

Scientists have identified weak spots in cancer cells that could be targeted and attacked by new precision drugs.

25 Feb 2015

Changes to DNA sequence associated with peanut allergy

Research funded by the National Institutes of Health suggests that changes in a small region of chromosome 6 are risk factors for peanut allergy in U.S. children of European descent. The genetic risk area is located among two tightly linked genes that regulate the presentation of allergens and microbial products to the immune system. This study is the first to use a genome-wide screening approach in patients with well-defined food allergy to identify risks for peanut allergy.

25 Feb 2015

Serous ovarian cancer is more deadly, shows Cancer Research UK study

THE most common type of ovarian cancer is more deadly if it consists of a patchwork of different groups of cells, according to a Cancer Research UK study published today (Tuesday) in PLOS Medicine.

25 Feb 2015

Developments in ChIP technology

Biowales, one of the UK’s leading events for the life sciences sector, this year will focus on the life sciences supply chain providing practical commercial opportunities for growth through novel routes to market in the private sector and National Health Service (NHS).

From Chromatrap® - Porvair Sciences Ltd 24 Feb 2015

Researchers identify first genetic variation linked to increased risk of peripheral neuropathy

Researchers have identified the first genetic variation that is associated with increased risk and severity of peripheral neuropathy following treatment with a widely used anti-cancer drug. Investigators also found evidence of how it may be possible to protect young leukemia patients without jeopardizing cures.

24 Feb 2015

Agena releases MassARRAY 24-Well System for mass spectrometry-based genetic testing

Agena Bioscience today released the MassARRAY 24-Well System for mass spectrometry-based genetic analysis, adding to its existing MassARRAY portfolio. The new 24-well format is tailored to smaller clinical testing laboratories requiring modest sample throughput, reduced initial hardware costs, and reduced time to result.

24 Feb 2015

Epigenetics and women’s health research: an interview with Professor Steve Conlan, Swansea University

Our research into gynaecological oncology focuses around understanding mechanisms of how genes are regulated or how they become dysregulated in a disease; and also the effects that has on the surface of the endometrium and also the function of the ovaries...

From Chromatrap® - Porvair Sciences Ltd 24 Feb 2015

Epigenome plays significant part in embryonic development

The early stages of embryonic development shape our cells and tissues for life. It is during this time that our newly formed cells are transformed into heart, skin, nerve or other cell types. Scientists are finding that this process is largely controlled not by the genome, but by the epigenome, chemical markers on DNA that tell cells when to turn genes on and off.

24 Feb 2015

MD Anderson researchers find way to predict patients who may respond to BRAF inhibitors

Powerful drugs known as BRAF-inhibitors have been crucial for melanoma patients, saving lives through their ability to turn off the BRAF protein's power to spur cancer cell growth.

24 Feb 2015

‘Most’ cirrhotic HBV patients benefit from adding adefovir to lamivudine

Response-guided addition of adefovir to lamivudine-based therapy not only maintains long-term viral suppression in Chinese chronic hepatitis B patients with compensated liver cirrhosis, research suggests, but also improves liver function.

23 Feb 2015

Taiho Oncology announces acceptance of TAS-102 NDA for review by FDA

Taiho Oncology, Inc., a subsidiary of Taiho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Japan), today announced the New Drug Application (NDA) for TAS-102 (nonproprietary names: trifluridine and tipiracil hydrochloride), has been accepted for review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

23 Feb 2015

Betaretrovirus may infect patients with primary biliary cirrhosis

In a new study published in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics, researchers at the University of Alberta's Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry have shown that a betaretrovirus which resembles a mouse mammary tumor virus infects patients with the rare liver disease, primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC).

20 Feb 2015

Proximity Ligation Assay helps detect effectiveness of cancer vaccines

Cancer vaccines are designed to turn the body's own immune system specifically against tumor cells. Particularly promising are vaccines that are directed against so-called neoantigens: These are proteins that have undergone a genetic mutation in tumor cells and, therefore, differ from their counterparts in healthy cells.

20 Feb 2015

Epigenome-wide association study helps discover genes linked to allergies and asthma

Researchers from Canada, the UK, Sweden and the US have discovered more than 30 genes that strongly affect an antibody involved in allergies and asthma. Some of the genes could provide targets for drugs to treat those conditions, according to the international team's study, published online in Nature on Feb. 18.

20 Feb 2015

Researchers review ten years of scientific studies on mitochondrial toxicity in pregnant women

Researchers from the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (Spain) have reviewed ten years' worth of scientific studies on mitochondrial toxicity in pregnant women. Exposure to toxic agents such as viruses, certain drugs, pesticides, alcohol and tobacco cause mitochondrial diseases about which very little is known, and which are transmitted from the mother to the foetus.

20 Feb 2015

23andMe granted FDA approval to market direct-to-consumer genetic test under novel device classification

23andMe, Inc., the leading personal genetics company, today announced that it has been granted authority by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to market the first direct-to-consumer genetic test under a regulatory classification for novel devices.

20 Feb 2015

New study turns to epigenetics to look for new therapeutic targets to treat allergic diseases

Scientists have discovered over 30 new genes that predispose people to allergies and asthma, some of which could be targets for new drugs.

20 Feb 2015

Study helps solve mystery about how genetic variations can increase cancer risk

Single-letter genetic variations within parts of the genome once dismissed as 'junk DNA' can increase cancer risk through wormhole-like effects on far-off genes, new research shows.

19 Feb 2015

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

New study identifies genetic link to peanut allergy

Study: Gene variant linked to increased risk of vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy in children

Researchers find that new targeted drugs can attack weak spots in cancer cells

Changes to DNA sequence associated with peanut allergy

Serous ovarian cancer is more deadly, shows Cancer Research UK study

Developments in ChIP technology

Researchers identify first genetic variation linked to increased risk of peripheral neuropathy

Agena releases MassARRAY 24-Well System for mass spectrometry-based genetic testing

Epigenetics and women’s health research: an interview with Professor Steve Conlan, Swansea University

Epigenome plays significant part in embryonic development

MD Anderson researchers find way to predict patients who may respond to BRAF inhibitors

‘Most’ cirrhotic HBV patients benefit from adding adefovir to lamivudine

Taiho Oncology announces acceptance of TAS-102 NDA for review by FDA

Betaretrovirus may infect patients with primary biliary cirrhosis

Proximity Ligation Assay helps detect effectiveness of cancer vaccines

Epigenome-wide association study helps discover genes linked to allergies and asthma

Researchers review ten years of scientific studies on mitochondrial toxicity in pregnant women

23andMe granted FDA approval to market direct-to-consumer genetic test under novel device classification

New study turns to epigenetics to look for new therapeutic targets to treat allergic diseases

Study helps solve mystery about how genetic variations can increase cancer risk

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