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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).

Common bread fungus mutates its own DNA to fight virus-like infections

Organisms attempt to halt their DNA from mutating, but researchers have discovered that a common fungus mutates its own DNA as a means to fight infections.

23 Jun 2020

Novel precision medicine targets cancer's DNA defenses

A new precision medicine targeting cancer's ability to repair its DNA has shown promising results in the first clinical trial of the drug class.

23 Jun 2020

Females rely on anti-inflammatory T cells for blood pressure control

In the face of a multipronged front to drive blood pressure up, including a high-salt diet, females are better able to keep their pressure down by increasing levels of a T cell that selectively dials back inflammation, scientists say.

23 Jun 2020

Developments in Engineered T Cells for Type 1 Diabetes

AZoLifeSciences speaks to Professor David J. Rawlings from the Seattle children's hospital about recent developments in engineered T cells for type 1 diabetes.

23 Jun 2020

Diagnosing Brain Tumors With A Blood Test

A highly sensitive blood test has been found to accurately diagnose and classify different types of brain tumors, resulting in more accurate diagnosis.

23 Jun 2020

Study sheds light on DNA sculpting properties of enigmatic protein

Sometimes, when something is broken, the first step to fixing it is to break it even more. In a recent example, scientists seeking to understand the mechanism of a DNA-repairing enzyme have discovered that the molecule performs its functions by first marking and then further breaking damaged DNA.

22 Jun 2020

Biologists Unravel Tangled Mystery Of Plant Cell Growth

Scientists now understand how a protein called TANGLED1 can lead to accurate cell division in plants.

22 Jun 2020

Transcriptomic data can help track Neanderthal-derived RNA

Scientists are taking stem cell technology and using it to explore the developmental impacts of Neanderthal DNA.

19 Jun 2020

Study sheds light on the reproductive role of 'dark matter' DNA

Researchers from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University have shed light on the reproductive role of 'dark matter' DNA - non-coding DNA sequences that previously seemed to have no function.

19 Jun 2020

Discovery could lead to a new toolset for cancer drug development

In the watery inside of a cell, complex processes take place in tiny functional compartments called organelles. Energy-producing mitochondria are organelles, as is the frilly golgi apparatus, which helps to transport cellular materials. Both of these compartments are bound by thin membranes.

19 Jun 2020

Novel silicon-based antioxidant agent may prevent kidney failure and Parkinson's disease

Oxidative stress is the result of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and can be damaging to cells and tissues.

From Osaka University 19 Jun 2020

Researchers use lead sequencing to determine the structure of RNAs

Scientists from RUB and the University of Münster have created a technique to simultaneously establish the structures of all RNA molecules in a bacterial cell.

18 Jun 2020

Structural map reveals changes in SMCHD1 protein linked to degenerative conditions

Researchers have used structural biology to map a portion of a protein called SMCHD1, describing how certain modifications can lead to degenerative conditions.

18 Jun 2020

Researchers discover DNA differences in 100 varieties of tomatoes

A study has revealed over 230,000 DNA variations across 100 varieties of tomatoes, which will enable scientists to engineer juicier and larger plants.

18 Jun 2020

New system of gene editing allows for targeted, super-fast DNA repair

In a series of experiments using human cancer cell lines, scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have successfully used light as a trigger to make precise cuts in genomic material rapidly, using a molecular scalpel known as CRISPR, and observe how specialized cell proteins repair the exact spot where the gene was cut.

18 Jun 2020

Study calls for more research on bacteriophages involved in plant health

In an individual’s own gut and in marine environments, bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria, play an important role in the regulation of microbiome.

17 Jun 2020

Dysfunctional placenta can contribute to Cornelia de Lange syndrome

Researchers have demonstrated that a dysfunctional placenta can play a formerly unknown role during the earliest phases of development in Cornelia de Lange.

17 Jun 2020

A new rapid-prototyping system to accelerate the design of biological systems

Northwestern University synthetic biologists have developed a new rapid-prototyping system to accelerate the design of biological systems, reducing the time to produce sustainable biomanufacturing products from months to weeks.

16 Jun 2020

Remodeling of gut microbiome strongly inhibits thickened-artery condition in mice

Scientists at Scripps Research have developed molecules that can remodel the bacterial population of intestines to a healthier state and they have shown--through experiments in mice--that this reduces cholesterol levels and strongly inhibits the thickened-artery condition known as atherosclerosis.

16 Jun 2020

New machine learning model accurately predicts base editing outcomes

Gene editing technology is getting better and growing faster than ever before. New and improved base editors--an especially efficient and precise kind of genetic corrector--inch the tech closer to treating genetic diseases in humans.

15 Jun 2020