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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 emphasize the need for commercialization in gene editing research

The UK Government published plans to replace the prevailing European Union regulations in using gene editing in UK agricultural practices.

1 Oct 2021

Mapping the genome of Eurasian spruce bark beetle reveals new insights

Researchers have successfully mapped the entire genome of the Eurasian spruce bark beetle. The breakthrough paves the way for new research into bark beetles and better prospects for effective pest control of a species that can destroy more than 100 million cubic meters of spruce forest during a single year in Europe and Asia.

30 Sep 2021

New partnership reveals the genetic secrets hidden in 7,000 grapevines

A new partnership revealing the genetic secrets hidden in 7,000 grapevines are yielding clues that could make the U.S. grape industry more resilient and deliver new kinds of grapes to benefit growers and consumers alike.

30 Sep 2021

Research shows impact of human settlement on island biodiversity

Research has shed new light on the impact of humans on islands' biodiversity. The findings show how human colonization altered forests across the islands of Macaronesia including the loss of landscape authenticity.

29 Sep 2021

Supercoiling and looping can transmit mechanical stress along the DNA backbone, shows study

When people think of DNA, they visualize a string-like double helix structure. In reality, the DNA double helix in cells is supercoiled and constrained into loops. This supercoiling and looping are known to influence every aspect of DNA activity, but how this happens has not been clear.

28 Sep 2021

Bird poop reveals how birds' gut microbiomes change on migration

The trillions of bacteria living in our guts play a crucial role in our ability to digest food and fight off disease.

28 Sep 2021

Study develops a highly efficient expression system for high protease yield

Proteases, one of the most inventive products, are utilized to enhance the efficacy of feed additives.

28 Sep 2021

Researchers examine the deep past of human population dynamics

The current year marks the 20th anniversary of human genome sequencing. To mark this event, scientists headed by Professor Qiaomei Fu from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences reviewed the current progress in the area of ancient DNA (aDNA)—DNA acquired from the remains of past organisms.

28 Sep 2021

Research provides new insights into growth hormone receptor gene's evolutionary history

A new study delves into the evolution and function of the human growth hormone receptor gene, and asks what forces in humanity's past may have driven changes to this vital piece of DNA.

27 Sep 2021

Remnants of organic molecules and chromatin found in nuclei of ancient dinosaur cells

A team of scientists from the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and from the Shandong Tianyu Museum of Nature (STM) has isolated exquisitely preserved cartilage cells in a 125-million-year-old dinosaur from Northeast China that contain nuclei with remnants of organic molecules and chromatin.

27 Sep 2021

Tumor suppressor protein binding to RNA also binds DNA, says study

Scientists from the Medical University of South Carolina earlier displayed how hnRNP E1 attaches to metastatic-linked RNAs to prevent their translation.

27 Sep 2021

Structural parameters of phosphatidylglycerol-DNA complex revealed

An interaction of DNA with lipids is of great interest because of their functions. As fatty acids and lipids can specifically bind to nucleic acids forming a code sequence of the genomic DNA, it is important to study the interaction of the oligonucleotide DNA (dA)20-(dT)20 with phosphatidylglycerol by the molecular dynamics method.

24 Sep 2021

Scientists analyze the molecular machinery of poxviruses at an atomic level

Poxviruses have found a unique way of translating their genes into proteins in the infected organism. A team of researchers from Würzburg shows for the first time how the molecular machinery involved works at an atomic level.

24 Sep 2021

How does the KLF4 transcription factor influence gene expression?

Scientists have led a research group to identify a mechanism using which transcription factor KLF4 can influence gene expression.

24 Sep 2021

Researchers develop a DNA sensor to target and detect infectious viruses in minutes

A new sensor can detect not only whether a virus is present, but whether it's infectious – an important distinction for containing viral spread.

23 Sep 2021

Prions may help yeast cope with rapidly changing environmental conditions

Prions are proteins found in the brain and familiar for their role in causing disease.

23 Sep 2021

Potential biomarkers help diagnose progressive stages of liver disease

Results of national research pinpointed potential biomarkers that could ultimately be employed for the diagnosis of progressive stages of liver disease.

23 Sep 2021

Genetic and epigenetic origin of pediatric liver cancer uncovered

Researchers at Hiroshima University have analyzed the molecular findings of almost 160 pediatric liver cancer cases and discovered molecular markers that should help to understand and treat the considerable variation in prognoses.

22 Sep 2021

Premature aging of the tracheobronchial stem cells could contribute to chronic lung disease

Are prematurely aged or overworked stem cells a significant factor in chronic lung disease? Findings of a study just released in STEM CELLS Translational Medicine (SCTM) say this is likely so.

22 Sep 2021

Researchers seek to point a way toward a unified theory for DNA folding

At more than 2 meters long, the human DNA molecule uses intricate folding patterns to fit into cells while locally unfolding to express genes. Such phenomena, however, are difficult to measure in experiments, and theoretical frameworks explaining them continue to be at odds with one another.

22 Sep 2021