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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 research project to genetically discriminate "identical" monozygotic twins

Eurofins Scientific, a European leader in Genomics Services, Forensics and Paternity Testing, announces a milestone in genetic and forensic research.

10 Dec 2013

Scientists unveil novel piece of puzzle of cancer cell DNA repair mechanisms

Research with a Finnish background facilitates the development of more effective cancer medication. Cancer cells have an exceptional ability to repair damage to their DNA caused during uncontrolled cell division.

10 Dec 2013

Eurofins successfully completes genetic and forensic research project on twins

Eurofins Scientific, one of the global leaders in Genomics Services, announces a research breakthrough in genetic discrimination between identical monozygotic twins.

10 Dec 2013

Arrowhead reports Phase 1 study data on ARC-520 for treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection

Arrowhead Research Corporation, a biopharmaceutical company developing targeted RNAi therapeutics, today announced that COO and Head of R&D, Bruce Given, M.D., presented data on the Phase 1 clinical study of ARC-520, the company's clinical candidate for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection, at the HepDART 2013 conference being held on The Big Island, Hawaii.

9 Dec 2013

MUC5B protein plays key role in many lung-related ailments

An international team of researchers has zeroed in on a protein that plays a key role in many lung-related ailments, from seasonal coughing and hacking to more serious diseases such as MRSA infections and cystic fibrosis.

9 Dec 2013

Research explores epigenetic effects that contribute to psychiatric disorders in offspring

Advanced paternal age has been associated with greater risk for psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and autism. With an increase in paternal age, there is a greater frequency of certain types of mutations that contribute to these disorders in offspring.

9 Dec 2013

NYSCF, PersonalGenomes.org partner to identify genetic contributions to disease development

Today, the New York Stem Cell Foundation Research Institute and PersonalGenomes.org announced a partnership to identify genetic and environmental contributions to trait and disease development. Cell lines generated by NYSCF will complement genomic data and medical histories contributed by participants in the Harvard Personal Genome Project, creating a unique and powerful resource to help researchers identify causes of disease.

9 Dec 2013

Genetically engineered cell therapies demonstrate early efficacy, safety in patients with blood disorders

A series of advancements in genetically engineered cell therapies demonstrate early efficacy and safety in patients with blood disorders for whom standard treatments have been unsuccessful, according to data showcased today during the 55th American Society of Hematology (ASH) Annual Meeting and Exposition in New Orleans.

9 Dec 2013

Researchers uncover biological factor that may contribute to disparities in prostate cancer incidence

Researchers have uncovered a potential biological factor that may contribute to disparities in prostate cancer incidence and mortality between African-American and non-Hispanic white men in the United States, according to results presented here at the Sixth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved, held Dec. 6-9.

9 Dec 2013

Scientists identify important new genes for epilepsy

Scientists screening the DNA of large cohorts for known and suspected epilepsy associated genes are finding that, while some genes are implicated in discrete phenotypes or forms of epilepsy, other genes are implicated in a wider range of phenotypes. Although ion channel genes are a common cause of epilepsy, the researchers also report a significant number of epilepsy patients with mutations in non-ion channel genes. The studies have important implications for treatment, prognosis and risk counseling.

9 Dec 2013

Researchers find how olfactory receptor variation impacts human odor perception

According to Gertrude Stein, "A rose is a rose is a rose," but new research indicates that might not be the case when it comes to the rose's scent. Researchers from the Monell Center and collaborating institutions have found that as much as 30 percent of the large array of human olfactory receptor differs between any two individuals. This substantial variation is in turn reflected by variability in how each person perceives odors.

9 Dec 2013

Study helps explain why survival gap persists for African-Americans with head and neck cancer

A team of scientists at Johns Hopkins and in Texas has identified a handful of genetic mutations in black Americans, in addition to some chemical alterations affecting gene activity, which may help explain why the death rate among African-Americans from the most common form of head and neck cancer continues to hover some 18 percent higher above the death rate of whites with the same cancer.

9 Dec 2013

Decreased bacterial diversity in gut linked with CRC risk

Decreased diversity in the microbial community found in the human gut is associated with colorectal cancer, according to a new study published December 6 in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

9 Dec 2013

Saudi Human Genome Program to study genetic basis of all disease in the Kingdom

The King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia's national funding agency, and Life Technologies Corporation today announce The Saudi Human Genome Program – a national research project to study the genetic basis of all disease in the Kingdom and throughout the Middle East and use the findings to offer the ultimate personal care in Saudi Arabia.

8 Dec 2013

Scientists recommend testing for Pearson syndrome in patients with congenital anemia

Some babies diagnosed with and treated for a bone marrow failure disorder, called Diamond Blackfan Anemia, may actually be affected by a very rare anemia syndrome that has a different disease course and treatment, say scientists from Dana-Farber/Boston Children's Cancer and Blood Disorders Center.

8 Dec 2013

PKM2 protein controls mitosis, saving cancer cells from death and promoting brain tumor growth

Researchers have caught a protein they previously implicated in a variety of cancer-promoting roles performing a vital function in cell division, survival and development of brain tumors.

8 Dec 2013

New study reports first evidence of specific molecular changes in the body with meditation

With evidence growing that meditation can have beneficial health effects, scientists have sought to understand how these practices physically affect the body.

6 Dec 2013

NYU Langone Medical Center researchers find link between gut bacteria and colorectal cancer

In one of the largest epidemiological studies of human gut bacteria and colorectal cancer ever conducted, a team of researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center has found a clear association between gut bacteria and colorectal cancer. The study, published today in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, discovered that colorectal cancer patients had fewer beneficial bacteria and more harmful bacteria than people without the disease.

6 Dec 2013

Study uncovers novel mechanism by which glioblastoma evades targeted therapies

A Ludwig Cancer Research study has uncovered an entirely novel mechanism by which glioblastoma, the most common kind of brain cancer, evades targeted therapies. Published in the current issue of the journal Science, the paper describes how GBM tumor cells essentially hide the signaling molecule targeted by such therapies, adding a layer of complexity to current models of drug resistance in cancer.

6 Dec 2013

Biocartis, VIB partner to develop novel MSI biomarkers for colorectal cancer

Today Biocartis and VIB announced their exclusive license agreement on a novel panel of microsatellite instability biomarkers for several cancers, in particular colorectal cancer.

6 Dec 2013

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

New research project to genetically discriminate "identical" monozygotic twins

Scientists unveil novel piece of puzzle of cancer cell DNA repair mechanisms

Eurofins successfully completes genetic and forensic research project on twins

Arrowhead reports Phase 1 study data on ARC-520 for treatment of chronic hepatitis B infection

MUC5B protein plays key role in many lung-related ailments

Research explores epigenetic effects that contribute to psychiatric disorders in offspring

NYSCF, PersonalGenomes.org partner to identify genetic contributions to disease development

Genetically engineered cell therapies demonstrate early efficacy, safety in patients with blood disorders

Researchers uncover biological factor that may contribute to disparities in prostate cancer incidence

Scientists identify important new genes for epilepsy

Researchers find how olfactory receptor variation impacts human odor perception

Study helps explain why survival gap persists for African-Americans with head and neck cancer

Decreased bacterial diversity in gut linked with CRC risk

Saudi Human Genome Program to study genetic basis of all disease in the Kingdom

Scientists recommend testing for Pearson syndrome in patients with congenital anemia

PKM2 protein controls mitosis, saving cancer cells from death and promoting brain tumor growth

New study reports first evidence of specific molecular changes in the body with meditation

NYU Langone Medical Center researchers find link between gut bacteria and colorectal cancer

Study uncovers novel mechanism by which glioblastoma evades targeted therapies

Biocartis, VIB partner to develop novel MSI biomarkers for colorectal cancer

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