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Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a biologically important type of molecule that consists of a long chain of nucleotide units. Each nucleotide consists of a nitrogenous base, a ribose sugar, and a phosphate.

Pioneer transcription factors help turn on key genes that give cells unique properties

Biologists have long wondered how complex organisms contain a variety of dramatically different types of cells with specialized functions, even though all of those cells are genetically identical.

25 Jan 2021

Researchers identify a new way to stop COVID-19 virus

While the world awaits broad distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, researchers at Ohio University just published highly significant and timely results in the search for another way to stop the virus -- by disrupting its RNA and its ability to reproduce.

22 Jan 2021

New computational technique accurately differentiates between normal and cancer cells

Scientists have created a new method to precisely differentiate between data from a wide range of normal cells and cancer cells found inside tumor samples.

19 Jan 2021

Targeting RNA splicing can trigger antiviral immune pathways in triple-negative breast cancers

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have discovered how therapeutics targeting RNA splicing can activate antiviral immune pathways in triple negative breast cancers (TNBC) to trigger tumor cell death and signal the body's immune response.

15 Jan 2021

Circadian rhythms control killer cells in the immune system

According to an analysis of data humans’ ability to combat diseases may largely depend on day-to-day circadian cycles than previously believed.

13 Jan 2021

Scientists identify the sensor in human lungs that detects SARS-CoV-2

Scientists at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute have identified the sensor in human lungs that detects SARS-CoV-2 and signals that it's time to mount an antiviral response.

13 Jan 2021

Study reveals richness of space-time gene expression dynamics of the liver

Nothing in biology is static. Biological processes fluctuate over time, and if we are to put together an accurate picture of cells, tissues, organs etc., we have to take into account their temporal patterns. In fact, this effort has given rise to an entire field of study known as "chronobiology".

12 Jan 2021

New discovery helps explain how COVID-19 suppresses the body’s immune response

Seeking to understand why COVID-19 is able to suppress the body's immune response, new research from the USC Leonard Davis School of Gerontology suggests that mitochondria are one of the first lines of defense against COVID-19 and identifies key differences in how SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, interacts with mitochondrial genes when compared to other viruses.

12 Jan 2021

Study unravels the mystery of infectious virion formation

Researchers have for the first time identified the way viruses like the poliovirus and the common cold virus 'package up' their genetic code, allowing them to infect cells.

11 Jan 2021

Sequencing-based solution can help determine patients’ response to infection therapy

Scientists from the University of Helsinki have created a new sequencing-based strategy for identifying pathogens from complex samples.

8 Jan 2021

New technique to detect gene doping in human plasma

All athletes wish to be at the top of their game while competing, yet some turn to corrupt strategies to achieve peak speed, agility, and muscle growth. Latest advancements in gene editing technology could lure athletes to change their DNA to gain an upper hand.

7 Jan 2021

Scientists resolve long-standing debate over key mechanism involved in gene silencing

Scientists from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) have resolved a long-standing debate over how crucial gene-silencing protein detects its targets.

5 Jan 2021

Controlling biological functions of DNA with the aid of light

DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is the basis of life on earth. The function of DNA is to store all the genetic information, which an organism needs to develop, function and reproduce. It is essentially a biological instruction manual found in every cell.

29 Dec 2020

Researchers report a potential cancer drug that targets mitochondrial function

A newly developed compound starves cancer cells by attacking their "power plants" - the so-called mitochondria. The new compound prevents the genetic information within mitochondria from being read.

23 Dec 2020

Research sheds new light on immune system interactions with cancer

Cancers like melanoma are hard to treat, not least because they have a varied bag of tricks for defeating or evading treatments.

22 Dec 2020

Scientists develop a new gene biomarker identification method for toxicity testing

Companies like agrochemicals must check extensively for possible toxicity when they develop new products, before they can obtain regulatory approval.

21 Dec 2020

TGen identifies genetic target that could help explain the variation in COVID-19 effects

The Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen), an affiliate of City of Hope, has identified a specific genetic target that could help explain the tremendous variation in how sick those infected with COVID-19 become.

17 Dec 2020

Researchers identify suitable biocatalyst for designing COVID-19 vaccine

The chemical substance class of nucleosides is attracting a great deal of interest, and this can be attributed to the ongoing COVID 19 pandemic.

17 Dec 2020

Scientists invent new RNA drug-discovery tool for undruggable diseases

Imagine trying to throw a bullseye when the dartboard lies buried within a crumpled box. That's the challenge faced by scientists working to make new medicines for some "undruggable" diseases, including a type of metastatic breast cancer.

16 Dec 2020

New study dispels concerns that human stem cells contain cancer-causing mutations

Pioneering new research has made a pivotal breakthrough that dispel concerns that human stem cells could contain cancer-causing mutations.

From University of Exeter 15 Dec 2020