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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).

Scientists Develop DNA Barcoding for Caragana Genus

In the family of legumes, the genus Caragana is significant both ecologically and pharmacologically. On the entire Asian continent, Caragana is essential to the ecosystem of the cold desert. However, it has proven difficult to correctly identify the genus’ taxa.

31 Jul 2023

Study Provides New Insight Into the Evolutionary History of Gorillas

An international research study led by the University of Vienna (Austria) and the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE) in Barcelona (Spain), recently published in the journal Nature Ecology and Evolution, provides a better insight into the evolutionary history of gorillas.

31 Jul 2023

Analyzing DNA Damage-Induced NF-κB Targeted by Novel Small Molecule Inhibitors

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy aim to destroy cancer cells by inducing DNA double-strand breaks – damage that, once inflicted, usually causes the cells to die. But damage to a cell's genetic material also activates a signaling pathway called IKK/NF-κB that helps prevent cell death, thus limiting the success of these treatments in patients.

28 Jul 2023

New Method Facilitates Early Detection and Localization of Tumors

To help with early tumor diagnosis and tumor localization, researchers have devised a technology that concurrently detects many cancer-specific DNA circulating hallmarks.

26 Jul 2023

Atomic-Level Analysis of Synthetic DNA to Reveal New Treatment Options

West Virginia University researchers can now see synthetic DNA at the atomic level, allowing them to learn how to tweak its structure to improve its scissor-like function.

25 Jul 2023

Breakthrough in Single-Cell Genome Sequencing: New Method Reduces Bias and Expands Research Horizons

It has long been technically difficult to sequence the genome of a single bacterial cell due to the nearly impossible bias in the gene amplification stage of the process, making it difficult to produce a high-coverage genome sequence from precisely one bacterial cell.

25 Jul 2023

Dietary Fiber Regulates Gut Microbiota and Improves Epithelial Cell Proliferation

A high-fiber diet is known to have several health benefits. Scientific studies point to protection against such diseases as cancer and diabetes.

25 Jul 2023

Bioprocessing Breakthrough: Xheme Non-Toxic, Multifunctional Additive Eliminates Oxidative Stress

Oxidative stress, caused by an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants, regularly reduces the yield of pharmaceuticals and therapeutics produced via bioprocessing by about 10-15%. Now, Xheme, Inc.'s Xheme Multifunctional Additive (XMA), a programmable non-toxic nanoporous microparticle, has demonstrated the ability to significantly reduce or eliminate the damage of oxidative stress in bioprocessing conditions.

25 Jul 2023

Essential Bacterial Signaling Autoproteolysis in C. thermocellum

Sensing and communicating with the extracellular environment are both aspects of transmembrane signaling.

24 Jul 2023

New Method for Building Modular Optical Sensors to Detect Bacteria and Viruses

An innovative method for building modular optical sensors that can detect viruses and bacteria has been created by an interdisciplinary research team from Bochum, Duisburg, and Zurich.

24 Jul 2023

Uncovering New Insights into Virus Self-Assembly

Griffith University researchers were instrumental in controlling the way viruses are assembled by using DNA “origami” templates.

18 Jul 2023

Berkeley Lab and Genentech Team Up to Develop Next-Generation Drug Delivery System

Many diseases can be successfully treated in the simple environment of a cell culture dish, but to successfully treat real people, the drug agent has to take a journey through the infinitely more complex environment within our bodies and arrive, intact, inside the affected cells.

18 Jul 2023

New Simulations Reveal How Nuclear Pore Complex Regulates Protein Trafficking

If the human cell is a nightclub, then the nucleus is a VIP lounge. Inside are the DNA, fiercely maintained by the nuclear pore complex, which is charged with the task of protecting every strand. To do this, the NPC acts as gatekeeper against unworthy proteins.

14 Jul 2023

Rensselaer Professor Receives $400,000 Grant to Study Deep Sea Enzymes

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Catherine Royer, Constellation Chair Professor of Bioinformatics and Biocomputation at the Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D. Center for Biotechnology and Interdisciplinary Studies (CBIS) and professor of biological sciences, has received a grant of over $400,000 from the National Science Foundation to investigate enzymes from organisms living in deep sea environments.

14 Jul 2023

New Study Shows How Butterflies and Moths Can Help Understand Evolution

Butterflies and moths share "blocks" of DNA dating back more than 200 million years, new research shows.

14 Jul 2023

Revealing the Function of Retrotransposons

A retrotransposon, a parasitic DNA sequence that borrows the cell’s own machinery to accomplish its objectives, has been discovered.

13 Jul 2023

Gene Recognition of CRISPR-Cas Visualized With New Method

A novel technique has been devised by researchers from the University of Leipzig and the University of Vilnius in Lithuania to monitor the smallest twists and torques of molecules in milliseconds.

13 Jul 2023

The Future of Nanobiotechnology: Ethical Considerations

Prosthetics moved by thoughts. Targeted treatments for aggressive brain cancer. Soldiers with enhanced vision or bionic ears.

13 Jul 2023

Dad’s Genes “Remote Control” Mom’s Metabolism to Benefit Fetus

The unborn baby “remote controls” its mother’s metabolism, resulting in a nutritional tug-of-war between the two. The mother’s body requires the baby to survive, but she also needs enough glucose and fats in her system to be able to deliver the baby, breastfeed, and reproduce again.

12 Jul 2023

Genome of Xerces Blue Butterfly Reveals Extinction Story

The Xerces Blue butterfly (Glaucopsyche xerces) was native to the coastal dunes of San Francisco, in the United States. As the city grew, much of the butterfly's habitat was destroyed and its population was relegated to Golden Gate National Park.

12 Jul 2023