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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).

Researchers uncover a key genetic culprit in the development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Using a widely known field of mathematics designed mainly to study how digital and other forms of information are measured, stored and shared, scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine and Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center say they have uncovered a likely key genetic culprit in the development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

21 Apr 2021

Study: Interaction between distant parts of RNA can regulate gene expression

Russian researchers have now investigated the role of double-stranded fragments of the maturing RNA and demonstrated that the interaction between faraway parts of the RNA can control gene expression.

20 Apr 2021

New CRISPR technology allows scientists to switch off any gene in human cells

Scientists have figured out how to modify CRISPR's basic architecture to extend its reach beyond the genome and into what's known as the epigenome -- proteins and small molecules that latch onto DNA and control when and where genes are switched on or off.

19 Apr 2021

“Expansion Hunter” approach can detect DNA errors

Researchers from Radboud University Medical Center have successfully detected hidden genetic defects by using an existing technique on existing datasets. The team demonstrated that the “Expansion Hunter” approach can detect DNA errors that cause repeat expansion diseases, like ataxia—a movement disorder.

16 Apr 2021

DNAJC9 protein plays a key role in protecting histones in the cell nucleus

Histones play an important role in the cell nucleus by packaging DNA into chromatin.

15 Apr 2021

Study reveals RNA regulatory mechanisms within transcription-translation couplings

To gain a better understanding of how bacterial RNA gives rise to proteins scientists are now focusing on the special way this process takes place in bacteria.

15 Apr 2021

Study reveals DNA supercoiling is involved in regulating gene expression

The (when stretched) two-meter-long DNA molecule in each human cell is continuously being unpacked and packed again to enable the expression of genetic information.

15 Apr 2021

New method helps map the epigenetics of mouse brain

Histones are essentially small proteins that attach to DNA and store information that can be used to switch individual genes on or off.

14 Apr 2021

Novel test detects HIV reservoir in patients more accurately

An innovative test that determines the quality and quantity of inactive HIV viruses in the genes of HIV patients may ultimately give scientists a better idea of effective drugs.

14 Apr 2021

New simpler, faster system for analyzing mutations in SARS-CoV-2

Although it is known that mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 genome occurred and spread, the effect of those mutations is not yet clear.

From Osaka University 14 Apr 2021

Study shows that neural stem cells age quickly

A research team has revealed that neural stem cells (NSCs)—that is, the stem cells of the nervous system—age quickly.

14 Apr 2021

CSHL investigator aims to predict the effects of mutations on different tomato varieties

Both people and tomatoes come in different shapes and sizes. That is because every individual has a unique set of genetic variations--mutations--that affect how genes act and function. Added together, millions of small genetic variations make it hard to predict how a particular mutation will impact any individual.

13 Apr 2021

Researchers identify and test drug combination that exploits a weakness in small cell lung cancer

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health have identified and tested a drug combination that exploits a weakness in small cell lung cancer (SCLC), an aggressive, dangerous cancer.

13 Apr 2021

Study reveals genetic risk factors for childhood obsessive-compulsive disorder

Researchers at the University of Calgary and The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids), in Toronto, have discovered genetic risk factors for OCD that could help pave the way for earlier diagnosis and improved treatment for children and youth.

13 Apr 2021

Study compares effect of vaping and smoking on cells and DNA

Researchers have compared vape e-liquid samples and their aerosols to combustible cigarette smoke using Toxys’ ToxTracker range of in-vitro assays.

12 Apr 2021

Study shows how nitrate presence controls nodule formation in legumes

Legumes, or plants belonging to the bean family, form nodules on their roots to absorb nitrogen.

12 Apr 2021

Mitochondrial DNA mutations reduce death risk in patients with bowel cancer

According to a study, DNA defects in the energy “factories” of a cell increase the chance of survival in patients suffering from bowel cancer.

9 Apr 2021

Inhibiting a specific protein could increase tumor sensitivity to PARP inhibitors

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have found that blocking a specific protein could increase tumor sensitivity to treatment with PARP inhibitors. Their work published in Science , suggests combining treatments could lead to improved therapy for patients with inheritable breast cancers.

9 Apr 2021

Genomes of earliest Europeans and their association with Neanderthals

An international research team has sequenced the genomes of the oldest securely dated modern humans in Europe who lived around 45,000 years ago in Bacho Kiro Cave, Bulgaria.

8 Apr 2021

PNA-based method is a key component of the gene editing toolkit

The Somatic Cell Gene Editing Consortium has given an update on the status of their initiative to design safer techniques to edit the genes of disease-relevant somatic cells.

8 Apr 2021