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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 on transposable elements could help advance understanding of genetic evolution

There has been very little knowledge of ways in which transposable elements play a role in gene regulation. Transposable elements are small DNA pieces with the ability to replicate and scatter themselves in the genome.

16 Apr 2020

Genetic architecture of life span is context dependent, study finds

Scientists believe about 25 percent of the differences in human life span is determined by genetics -- with the rest determined by environmental and lifestyle factors. But they don't yet know all the genes that contribute to a long life.

15 Apr 2020

Study offers insight into exchange of drug resistance genes among bacteria

Researchers have been able to identify and track the exchange of genes among bacteria that allow them to become resistant to drugs, according to a new study published today in eLife.

15 Apr 2020

Role of VRAC ion channel in fight against virus infections

VRAC/LRRC8 chloride channels play a crucial role in the transport of neurotransmitters, amino acids, and cytostatics.

14 Apr 2020

Combined effect of rare mutations has negative impact on health and longevity

In a study published recently in the eLife journal, researchers have reported that the combined effects of rare and damaging mutations that occur at birth itself have adverse effects on health span and longevity.

13 Apr 2020

Study reveals new mechanism that controls chromosome inheritance

During the process of each single cell division, the chromosomal genetic data should be uniformly distributed between the freshly developing daughter cells.

13 Apr 2020

Hormone produced in starved leaves promotes absorption of nitrogen

Nagoya University researchers have found that in response to the nitrogen demand of leaves, plants produce a hormone that travels from the leaves to the roots to stimulate the uptake of nitrogen from the soil.

10 Apr 2020

Important genetic mechanism behind inflammatory bowel disease revealed

Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia have pinpointed a genetic variation responsible for driving the development of inflammatory bowel disease.

10 Apr 2020

Breakthrough In Unlocking Genetic Potential Of Ocean Microbes

Researchers have made a major breakthrough in developing gene-editing tools to improve our understanding of ocean microbes.

10 Apr 2020

Online tool to refine results from RNA sequencing from clinically accessible tissues

DNA sequencing has turned out to be a common method for diagnosing diseases and enhancing precision medicine.

9 Apr 2020

Enhancing DNA repair could help improve agronomic traits in multiple crops

A new genome editing system enhances the efficiency of an error-free DNA repair pathway, which could help improve agronomic traits in multiple crops.

8 Apr 2020

Study shows some genetic variants have stronger effects on RNA expression even before birth

The prefrontal cortex of the human brain experiences a wider spectrum of developmental activity right from early prenatal development until childhood.

8 Apr 2020

RIKEN researchers lead the world in single-cell RNA sequencing

Single-cell RNA sequencing is a major focus of intense research today.

8 Apr 2020

Gene-editing tools developed to study ocean microbes

Researchers have achieved significant progress in the development of gene-editing tools that could help gain better insights into one of the most crucial ocean microbes on the planet.

8 Apr 2020

New genetic techniques expand microbial research

A team of international scientists has developed a suite of more than 200 new genetic techniques for using marine microbes to investigate a host of questions in biology.

7 Apr 2020

Study shows promise for treating different types of cancer

This story looks into the potential to treat various types of cancers using cells and the process of apoptosis.

7 Apr 2020

Virginia Tech researchers discover genes for metabolic cycles in 'giant viruses'

In satellite photos of the Earth, clouds of bright green bloom across the surface of lakes and oceans as algae populations explode in nutrient-rich water. From the air, the algae appear to be the primary players in the ecological drama unfolding below.

6 Apr 2020

Study designs artificial proteins that function as molecular logic gates

Researchers are currently using the same fundamental tools that enable the working of computers to manipulate life at the molecular level.

6 Apr 2020

Force can activate genes without intermediates, enzymes, or signaling molecules

A new study reports that cells tend to increase gene expression as a response to physical forces alone. According to the team, the initial step in the production of proteins—gene activation—begins within 1 ms once a cell gets stretched, which is hundreds of times faster than chemical signals can travel.

2 Apr 2020