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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).

Performing grafting and mobile CRISPR for genome editing in plants

An innovative twist to the CRISPR tool—also known as “genetic scissors”—is being utilized to edit plant genomes by researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, signaling a methodology change.

4 Jan 2023

New technologies reveal cross-cutting breakdowns in Alzheimer’s disease

A figure from the paper depicts pathways perturbed in Alzheimer's disease. Below examples are listed for each pathway by major brain cell type. Image Credit: The Picower Institute.

4 Jan 2023

The detrimental effects of alcohol consumption during pregnancy

For the first time, researchers at the University of Helsinki in Finland examined the effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on the epigenome and gene function of the placenta. The epigenome is a molecular coating on a DNA strand that controls how genes are expressed.

4 Jan 2023

Uncovering new function for small RNAs in Salmonella infections

Millions of people get sick from Salmonella each year because they are food-borne pathogens. These bacteria rely on a sophisticated network of genes and gene products that give them the ability to sense environmental conditions to do this.

4 Jan 2023

VUMC’s BioVU achieves deep-freeze storage of more than 300,000 biological samples

BioVU, Vanderbilt University Medical Center's biobank, has reached another milestone -; deep-freeze storage of more than 300,000 biological samples.

20 Dec 2022

Structure of the complete virion of S. epidermidis–infecting phage revealed

Scientists from the University of Alabama at Birmingham used cryo-electron microscopy to reveal the structure of a bacterial virus in extraordinary detail.

20 Dec 2022

New DNA analysis leads to first accurate tuberculosis genome identification

A novel genome assembly tool that has been created by researchers could lead to the creation of fresh antibiotics for the bacterial infections that cause tuberculosis and other diseases.

From Rutgers University 20 Dec 2022

Analysis of genetic factors contributing to cleft lip and palate

Cleft lip and palate, which are mainly caused by genetic reasons, are two of the most common congenital malformations. It is still unknown which genes are exactly affected.

19 Dec 2022

RXR: A key protein in the balanced production of different blood cells

In the regulation of hematopoietic stem cells—which are the immature stem cells that produce all the blood cell lineages—the cell protein retinoid X receptor (RXR) is an important element.

19 Dec 2022

Researchers gain insights into how density may change gene expression in some insects

A grasshopper hatched in a crowded environment may look and behave differently than a grasshopper hatched in isolation -; even if they have the same genes.

14 Dec 2022

Using CRISPR technology to reduce the symptoms of Huntington’s disease

A neurological condition called Huntington's disease (HD) results in a progressive decline in movement, coordination, and mental ability. It is brought on by a mutation in the huntingtin, or HTT, gene.

From UC San Diego 14 Dec 2022

Molecular regulation underlying emergency hematopoiesis uncovered

If the body’s emergency hematopoiesis program activates, it signifies an alert state of the immune system and serves two functions: In comparison to “normal mode” hematopoiesis, the emergency program results in enhanced replacement of immune cells consumed during infections or inflammations.

12 Dec 2022

Ancient environmental DNA used to map a two-million-year-old ecosystem

Around 2 million years ago climate in Greenland resembled that forecasted under future warming containing trees such as poplars and birch and animals like hare, lemmings, mastodons and reindeer.

9 Dec 2022

FSU study shows the transgenerational transmission of aspartame-induced anxiety in mice

Florida State University College of Medicine researchers have linked aspartame, an artificial sweetener found in nearly 5,000 diet foods and drinks, to anxiety-like behavior in mice.

9 Dec 2022

'Harmless' species of Listeria developing characteristics potentially harmful to humans

In the food processing industry, the deadly bacteria Listeria monocytogenes is monitored closely. Not only can the bacteria make people extremely ill, it is known to be developing resistance to various food safety measures across the world.

6 Dec 2022

The link between tandem repeats and development of Schizophrenia

Each human cell is distinct because it is written in the DNA language.

1 Dec 2022

Revealing the unappreciated role of POLQ in responding to DNA replication stress

Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute, in partnership with Artios, have discovered how an enzyme involved in DNA repair (POLQ) becomes critical to the survival of some tumors when the cancer cells lose the ability to employ a more frequent way of DNA repair.

1 Dec 2022

Research could advance our understanding of evolution and the origins of cell motility

The origin of all biological movements, including walking, swimming, or flying, can be traced back to cellular movements; however, little is known about how cell motility arose in evolution.

1 Dec 2022

Three-year interval appropriate between screening for colorectal cancer

Three years after the first negative multi-target stool DNA test, according to a scientific investigation into the best time to screen for colorectal cancer using non-invasive methods for detecting the disease’s targets in the stool, there were no colorectal malignancies discovered.

1 Dec 2022

Importance of localizing BRCA gene mutations for ovarian cancer treatment

Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, which are inherited by 1 in 400 and 1 in 800 persons, respectively, elevate the risk of various malignancies such as ovarian, breast, pancreatic, and prostate cancer considerably.

30 Nov 2022