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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).

Small, compact Cas proteins found in bacteriophages are ideal for gene editing

The DNA-cutting proteins central to CRISPR-Cas9 and related gene-editing tools originally came from bacteria, but a newfound variety of Cas proteins apparently evolved in viruses that infect bacteria.

20 Jul 2020

A fast and less expensive technique to count sperm in lobsters

Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have identified a quicker and less expensive way to count sperm in lobsters that could help scientists looking at any animal better understand mating, a key aspect of species survival.

20 Jul 2020

Researchers construct “DNA droplets” that exhibit dynamic functions

DNA is considered the storage unit of all genetic data in living organisms.

20 Jul 2020

Study shows how proteins prevent DNA replication errors

Two rereading proteins on the DNA assembly line collectively work as an emergency stop button to inhibit replication errors.

20 Jul 2020

Hypercompact CRISPR enzyme from bacteriophages expands genome editing toolbox

A recently discovered hypercompact CRISPR enzyme found only in huge bacteriophages, and known as CRISPR-CasΦ, is functional, a new study by Patrick Pausch, Jennifer Doudna and colleagues reports, and it provides a powerful new tool in the CRISPR genome editing toolbox, including because it can target a wider range of genetic sequences compared to Cas9 and Cas12

17 Jul 2020

Study focuses on how relationship between plants and microbes responds to drought conditions

Just below ground, an ancient and poorly understood relationship plays out between plants and microbes that infuse the soil.

17 Jul 2020

Study unravels the mysteries of variation in microbiome composition

Oregon State University researchers have made a key advance in understanding how timing impacts the way microorganisms colonize plants, a step that could provide farmers an important tool to boost agricultural production.

17 Jul 2020

Scientists achieve several breakthroughs in terms of analyzing the sedaDNA

Thousands of years ago the UK was physically joined to the rest of Europe through an area known as Doggerland.

From The University of Warwick 17 Jul 2020

Scientists gain insights into how parasitic bacterium gives rise to lesions

Bacteria of the genus Bartonella are parasites that can be transmitted to humans via insect bites and animal scratches, resulting in an infection known as "bartonellosis." Cat-scratch disease and trench fever are forms of bartonellosis caused by different Bartonella species infecting humans.

17 Jul 2020

Disseminated cancer cells hijack crucial iron micronutrients to survive

In order to survive within the remote and harsh anatomical microenvironments of the central nervous system, the disseminated cancer cells that cause rare yet deadly leptomeningeal metastases (LM) hijack crucial iron micronutrients from native macrophages, researchers report.

17 Jul 2020

Rare inherited mutation in TP53 gene predisposes to a wide range of cancers

Rare inherited mutations in the body's master regulator of the DNA repair system – the TP53 gene – can leave people at a higher risk of developing multiple types of cancer over the course of their lives.

17 Jul 2020

New technique increases the precision of gene editing

A group of biomolecular engineers from Rice University has now identified a C-worthy method that significantly improves the precision of gene editing.

17 Jul 2020

Researchers identify key enzyme that drives the production of ribosomes

Scientists have demonstrated that an enzyme fuels the production of ribosomes—the molecular machines that synthesize all cellular proteins.

From University of Toronto 17 Jul 2020

Development of mammalian placenta depends upon simple twist of DNA

The development of the mammalian placenta depends upon an unusual twist that separates DNA's classic double helix into a single-stranded form, Yale researchers report July 15 in the journal Nature.

16 Jul 2020

Study shows genetic factors may influence the susceptibility to COVID-19

A new Cleveland Clinic study has identified genetic factors that may influence susceptibility to COVID-19. Published today in BMC Medicine, the study findings could guide personalized treatment for COVID-19.

16 Jul 2020

Researchers develop novel technology to detect cancer biomarkers

A new way of identifying cancer biomarkers has been developed by researchers at Lund University in Sweden. The new technology allows very sensitive, quick and cost-effective identification of cancer biomarkers. The research is published in Nature Communication Biology.

16 Jul 2020