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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).

Antioxidant in green tea may lead to new anti-cancer drugs

Green tea contains an antioxidant that may boost the concentrations of p53, called the “guardian of the genome,” for its potential to kill cancerous cells.

15 Feb 2021

Gene-based blood test may predict treatment success in people with metastatic melanoma

A test that monitors blood levels of DNA fragments released by dying tumor cells may serve as an accurate early indicator of treatment success in people in late stages of one of the most aggressive forms of skin cancer, a new study finds.

From New York University (NYU) 15 Feb 2021

Study uncovers how harmless E.coli gut bacteria turn deadly

An international team of scientists has determined how harmless E.coli gut bacteria in chickens can easily pick up the genes required to evolve to cause a life-threatening infection.

From University of Bath 15 Feb 2021

New AI-based method produces new diversity of AAV capsids for optimized gene therapy

Dyno Therapeutics has demonstrated the use of AI to created an unparalleled range of adeno-associated virus capsids that can evade the immune system.

15 Feb 2021

Enzyme in fruit fly larvae plays key role in waking up brain stem cells

Researchers studying an enzyme in fruit fly larvae have found that it plays an important role in waking up brain stem cells from their dormant 'quiescent' state, enabling them to proliferate and generate new neurons.

12 Feb 2021

Cell cycle of cancer cells can be disrupted using two commercially available inhibitors

With two commercially available inhibitors, the cell cycle of the cancer cells in the childhood tumor neuroblastoma can be disrupted at a key point causing tumor cell death.

12 Feb 2021

New tool reveals potentially risky DNA alterations at site of CRISPR gene repair

Scientists have developed an affordable, downloadable app that scans for potential unintended mistakes when CRISPR is used to repair mutations that cause disease.

12 Feb 2021

Daytime napping is partly regulated by a person's genes

How often a person takes daytime naps, if at all, is partly regulated by their genes, according to new research led by investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and published in Nature Communications.

11 Feb 2021

Study examines the largest and most diverse genetic sequencing data sets

Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) and their colleagues published a new analysis today in the journal Nature from genetic sequencing data of more than 53,000 individuals, primarily from minority populations.

11 Feb 2021

Researchers program genome tool to target specific histone proteins

If finding a needle in a haystack is hard enough, then one should try finding a particular molecule on the needle.

11 Feb 2021

Unusual DNA folding leads to higher mutation rates

DNA sequences that can fold into shapes other than the classic double helix tend to have higher mutation rates than other regions in the human genome.

From Penn State University 10 Feb 2021

Forensic identification from a single strand of hair

AZoLifeSciences speaks to Dr. Shinsuke Kunimura about his latest research which involved combining Raman spectroscopy and X-ray fluorescence to identify an individual from a single strand of hair.

From Tokyo University of Science 10 Feb 2021

New study facilitates the use of gene editing technique on plants

A new study performed by the IBMCP of UPV University enables the use of the CRISPR genomic editing technique on plants.

9 Feb 2021

New bioinformatic tool allows scientists to digitally genotype sequenced populations

With the recently developed bioinformatic tool, called SSRgenotyper, scientists can now use simple sequence repeats to digitally genotype sequenced populations.

9 Feb 2021

Researchers identify genes that determine a person’s facial profile

A research team, headed by the University College London, has discovered genes that establish the shape of an individual’s facial profile.

From University College London 9 Feb 2021

Components of Neanderthals' gut microbiota are essential for human health

Neanderthals' gut microbiota already included some beneficial micro-organisms that are also found in our own intestine.

5 Feb 2021

Study shows how microbiomes may recover from biodiversity loss

For many years, researchers have fought with opposing theories to describe how inter-species interactions, including competition, affect biodiversity.

5 Feb 2021

Scientists determine biological mechanism that may lead to more efficient antibiotics

Hormone-mimicking molecules that trigger the production of antibiotics in soil bacteria could present new opportunities for drugs that are right under our feet.

From The University of Warwick 5 Feb 2021

Study shows strong link between genetic changes and cerebral palsy

Scientists have identified a strong connection between genetic modifications known to cause cerebral palsy and neurodevelopmental disabilities.

3 Feb 2021

New technique to improve genome editing technology

A group of scientists from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University (SPbPU), in association with collaborators from Belgium, has taken a step in the advancement of genome editing technologies.

3 Feb 2021