Nucleic Acid News and Research

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AutoPLP helps detect mutating pathogenic variants quickly and accurately

As we now know from our experience with the COVID-19 pandemic, the microbes responsible for some infections can rapidly mutate into variants that evade detection and treatment.

16 Feb 2023

Novel compound curtails influenza virus replication

Viruses use the molecular repertoire of the host cell to replicate. Researchers from the Cluster of Excellence ImmunoSensation2 at the University of Bonn, together with Japanese researchers, want to exploit this for the treatment of influenza.

10 Feb 2023

New hexameric structure of the protein triggering antibiotic resistance discovered

All living organisms require DNA replication to ensure the genetic integrity of the following generation. On the other hand, bacteria have the ability to horizontally transfer genetic information to other bacteria.

6 Feb 2023

Structure of amyloid fibers formed by the protein hnRNPDL-2 determined

Using high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), UAB researchers determined the structure of amyloid fibers formed by the protein hnRNPDL-2, which has been linked to limb-girdle muscular dystrophy type 3 and concluded that the protein’s inability to form amyloid ﬁbers, rather than aggregation, would be the cause of the disease.

6 Feb 2023

Scientists develop new design principles to improve cancer vaccines

A new way to significantly increase the potency of almost any vaccine has been developed by researchers from the International Institute for Nanotechnology at Northwestern University.

1 Feb 2023

Revealing the propagation of singlet oxygen along double stranded DNA

Nucleic acid-targeting photodynamic therapy (PDT) is an innovative type of targeted therapy that is currently being studied. This treatment is based on photosensitizers, which are drugs that attach to specific regions in a cell’s DNA.

26 Jan 2023

Researchers expand the known defensive abilities of CRISPR–Cas systems

Viruses can infect bacteria and archaea, just as they can humans. These microbes have evolved their own immune defense mechanisms to combat their pathogens. Bacterial defenses, like CRISPR-Cas systems, contain a variety of proteins and functions that aid bacteria in protecting themselves from foreign intruders.

5 Jan 2023

Broadening the scope of CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing systems

A group of Northwestern University researchers has created a novel gene editing platform that might influence the future application of a nearly infinite library of CRISPR-based therapeutics.

7 Oct 2022

HIV latent cells produce a possible cure investigation

Researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Vaccine Research Center (VRC) and their collaborators gave a presentation recently at AIDS 2022, the 24th International AIDS Conference in Montreal.

1 Aug 2022

New method can easily convert commercially available DNA chips into RNA chips

Biochips (microarrays) are modern analytical tools that allow thousands of individual detections to be performed simultaneously in a small amount of sample material. A team led by Mark Somoza from the Faculty of Chemistry at the University of Vienna has now presented a new method in "Nature Communications".

27 Jul 2022

Microplate optimised for magnetic bead separations

Porvair Sciences has introduced a 96-well deep well microplate designed for labs using magnetic beads for nucleic acid purification, clean up and protein purifications.

From Porvair Sciences Limited 15 Jul 2022

Researchers work on DNA-delivered antibodies to stop COVID-19

A new COVID-19 antibody delivery approach has progressed to clinical trials, thanks to funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND).

11 Jul 2022

Researchers use nanopore-based DNA computing technology to detect cancer

The cancer type cholangiocarcinoma, often known as bile duct cancer, is characterized by a high fatality rate.

1 Jul 2022

From Test Tube to Cell; Creating Biological Computers from RNA

In this interview, we speak to Dr. Sam Schaffter about his latest research that looked at creating biological computers using RNA and their role within research.

From National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 18 Apr 2022

New insights into better crime scene investigation

Skin cells and their DNA varies between individuals, but new data from Flinders University shows that some groups of people have higher variability in their cell deposits.

1 Apr 2022

Forensic science experts develop new insights into crime scene analysis

Individuals deposit skin cells and DNA in different ways, but recent research from Flinders University suggests that certain people have stronger intra-variability in their cell deposits.

1 Apr 2022

Exceptional research recordings display RNA switching “on” and “off”

RNA switches (also known as riboswitches) control which genes are turned “on” and “off”, much like a light switch. Although this appears to be a straightforward process, biologists have been astonished by the inner workings of these switches for decades.

1 Apr 2022