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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 develop DNA-based switching circuits

The myriad processes occurring in biological cells may seem unbelievably complex at first glance. And yet, in principle, they are merely a logical succession of events, and could even be used to form digital circuits.

4 Jun 2021

Scientists generate first-ever maps of genome's motions before and after cell differentiation

The organization of the human genome relies on physics of different states of matter - such as liquid and solid - a team of scientists has discovered.

3 Jun 2021

Study measures the mass of human chromosomes using X-rays for the first time

In a recent study led by UCL researchers, the mass of human chromosomes was quantified using X-rays for the first time.

From University College London 3 Jun 2021

New method can help diagnose unsolved cases of rare diseases across Europe

Experts in rare diseases have recently described the results of a collaboration to diagnose individuals living with unsolved cases of rare disorders throughout Europe.

3 Jun 2021

Understanding molecular determinants of liver cancer in patients with Indigenous American ancestry

Oncotarget published "Global DNA hypermethylation pattern and unique gene expression signature in liver cancer from patients with Indigenous American ancestry" which reported that contrasting with this pattern, the age structure of HCC in Andean people displays a bimodal distribution with half of the patients developing HCC in adolescence and early adulthood.

2 Jun 2021

First real-time observation of DNA-histone interactions

The genetic material of most organisms is carried by DNA, a complex organic molecule. DNA is very long -- for humans, the molecule is estimated to be about 2 m in length.

2 Jun 2021

Biologists use eDNA technique to find invasive snails

Invasive species, beware: Your days of hiding may be ending. Biologists led by the University of Iowa discovered the presence of the invasive New Zealand mud snail by detecting their DNA in waters they were inhabiting incognito.

2 Jun 2021

Study examines if myoDN improves myoblast differentiation exacerbated by diabetes

Skeletal muscle makes up 30% to 40% of body weight and serves multiple functions like heat production and energy metabolism.

1 Jun 2021

Researchers develop a new way for pollution remediation

Phosphate pollution in rivers, lakes and other waterways has reached dangerous levels, causing algae blooms that starve fish and aquatic plants of oxygen. Meanwhile, farmers worldwide are coming to terms with a dwindling reserve of phosphate fertilizers that feed half the world's food supply.

1 Jun 2021

New sunscreen is coral-safe and offers higher UVB/UVA protection

According to a new study reported in Nature Scientific Reports, Methylene Blue, a century-old medication, can be a very efficient, broad-spectrum UV irradiation protector that absorbs UVA and UVB, repairs ROS and UV irradiation-induced DNA damage, and is safe for coral reefs.

31 May 2021

New study shows why some children get secondary leukemia after neuroblastoma treatment

Researchers from the Wellcome Sanger Institute and the University of Cambridge discovered that in children with neuroblastoma—a tumor of immature nerve cells—platinum chemotherapy created mutations in the genome that might lead to leukemia in some children later on.

31 May 2021

“Topologically tunable” DNA-based material has potential applications in drug delivery, tissue regeneration

DNA is usually idealized as the “molecule of life,” but it is also a highly advanced polymer that can be used for cutting-edge materials. Apart from storing information, other interesting aspects of DNA are its topological and geometrical properties, like super-coiling and knotting.

31 May 2021

Researchers discover new genes and functionalities in bovine genome

Modern genetic research often works with what are known as reference genomes. Such a genome comprises data from DNA sequences that scientists have assembled as a representative example of the genetic makeup of a species.

27 May 2021

New plasmofluidic chip could accelerate diagnosis during current and future pandemics

Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been the gold standard for diagnosis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

27 May 2021

Genomic study can reveal adaptive mechanisms of life under future ocean acidification

Human-driven global change is challenging the scientific community to understand how marine species might adapt to predicted environmental conditions in the near-future (e.g. hypoxia, ocean warming, and ocean acidification).

27 May 2021

New software tool detects, evaluates, and quantifies off-target editing activity

CRISPR technology enables researchers to edit genomes by modifying DNA sequences and hence gene function.

27 May 2021

Two components of bacterial CRISPR-Cas immunity system are physically linked

Skoltech scientists have demonstrated that the two components of the bacterial CRISPR-Cas immunity system are physically connected.

27 May 2021

Genetic and molecular mechanisms make chemotherapy drug work for some cancer patients

The chemotherapy drug decitabine is commonly used to treat patients with blood cancers, but its response rate is somewhat low. Researchers have now identified why this is the case, opening the door to more personalized cancer therapies for those with these types of cancers, and perhaps further afield.

25 May 2021

New method helps tests large groups for SARS-CoV-2 infection

Researchers at the Vienna BioCenter designed a testing protocol for SARS-CoV-2 that can process tens of thousands of samples in less than 48 hours. The method, called SARSeq, is published in the journal Nature Communications and could be adapted to many more pathogens.

25 May 2021

Telomere length decreases most rapidly from birth to age 3, shows study

Telomeres are protective caps on DNA that shorten as we grow older. Now, one of the first studies to examine telomere length (TL) in childhood finds that the initial setting of TL during prenatal development and in the first years of life may determine one's TL throughout childhood and potentially even into adulthood or older age.

25 May 2021

DNA News and Research

Further Reading

Researchers develop DNA-based switching circuits

Scientists generate first-ever maps of genome's motions before and after cell differentiation

Study measures the mass of human chromosomes using X-rays for the first time

New method can help diagnose unsolved cases of rare diseases across Europe

Understanding molecular determinants of liver cancer in patients with Indigenous American ancestry

First real-time observation of DNA-histone interactions

Biologists use eDNA technique to find invasive snails

Study examines if myoDN improves myoblast differentiation exacerbated by diabetes

Researchers develop a new way for pollution remediation

New sunscreen is coral-safe and offers higher UVB/UVA protection

New study shows why some children get secondary leukemia after neuroblastoma treatment

“Topologically tunable” DNA-based material has potential applications in drug delivery, tissue regeneration

Researchers discover new genes and functionalities in bovine genome

New plasmofluidic chip could accelerate diagnosis during current and future pandemics

Genomic study can reveal adaptive mechanisms of life under future ocean acidification

New software tool detects, evaluates, and quantifies off-target editing activity

Two components of bacterial CRISPR-Cas immunity system are physically linked

Genetic and molecular mechanisms make chemotherapy drug work for some cancer patients

New method helps tests large groups for SARS-CoV-2 infection

Telomere length decreases most rapidly from birth to age 3, shows study

Driving Support for Pharmaceutical Testing Through Continuous Innovation

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