Take a swab of saliva from your mouth and within minutes your DNA could be ready for analysis and genome sequencing with the help of a new device. University of Washington engineers and NanoFacture, a [...]
Tag Archives | DNA
Genetic find influences obesity in people of African ancestry
The largest genetic search for “obesity genes” in people of African ancestry has led to the discovery of three new regions of the human genome that influence obesity in these populations and others. University of [...]
Chronic pain alters DNA marking in brain
Injuries that result in chronic pain, such as limb injuries, and those unrelated to the brain are associated with epigenetic changes in the brain which persist months after the injury, according to researchers at McGill [...]
DNA test for Down syndrome IDs two other conditions
A newly available DNA-based prenatal blood test that can identify a pregnancy with Down syndrome can also identify two additional chromosome abnormalities: trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome) and trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome).The test for all three [...]
Light makes write for DNA information-storage device
In an effort to make data storage more cost-effective, a group of researchers from National Tsing Hua University in Taiwan and the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany have created a DNA-based memory device that [...]
Scientists Create First 3-D Map of Human Genome
For the first time, scientists have developed a method for generating accurate three-dimensional models of the entire DNA strand of a cell, known as a genome. The genome plays a central role in the functions [...]
Simple blood test in the first trimester predicts fetal gender
A new research study published in the January 2012 edition of The FASEB Journal (http://www.fasebj.org) describes findings that could lead to a non-invasive test that would let expecting mothers know the sex of their baby [...]
Scientists crack medieval bone code
Two teams of Michigan State University researchers – one working at a medieval burial site in Albania, the other at a DNA lab in East Lansing – have shown how modern science can unlock the [...]
Schizophrenics too wound up, literally
Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have discovered that DNA stays too tightly wound in certain brain cells of schizophrenic subjects. The findings suggest that drugs already in development for other diseases might eventually offer [...]
Modern dogs are more Asian fusions than Euro pups
Don’t close the book on Fido’s genealogy just yet: A new study led by University of California, Davis, wildlife genetics researchers provides a surprising glimpse into the global heritage of both wild and domestic dogs. [...]
Making copies at the right time
All 10 trillion cells in the adult human body are genetically identical, but develop into distinct cell types, such as muscle cells, skin cells or neurons, by activating some genes while inhibiting others. Remarkably, each specialized cell maintains a …
A lake fauna in a shot-glass
Danish research team leads the way for future biodiversity monitoring using DNA traces in the environment to keep track of threatened wildlife — a lake water sample the size of a shot-glass can contain evidence of an entire lake fauna.
Global biod…
Changing the locks: HIV discovery could allow scientists to block virus’s entry into cell nucleus
Scientists have found the ‘key’ that HIV uses to enter our cells’ nuclei, allowing it to disable the immune system and cause AIDS The finding, published today in the open access journal PLoS Pathogens, provides a potential new target for anti-AIDS drug…
Backpacks, not the bombs inside, key to finding DNA
Catching terrorists who detonate bombs may be easier by testing the containers that hide the bombs rather than the actual explosives, according to pioneering research led by Michigan State University.
Unique genetic marker may improve detection of recurrent ovarian cancer
Ovarian cancer is a major health concern for women and the identification of sensitive biomarkers for early detection and/or monitoring of disease recurrence is of high clinical relevance.
New work published in the Dec. 7 issue of the online journal P…
Evolution reveals missing link between DNA and protein shape
Fifty years after the pioneering discovery that a protein’s three-dimensional structure is determined solely by the sequence of its amino acids, an international team of researchers has taken a major step toward fulfilling the tantaliz…
How cells remove bits of RNA from DNA strands
When RNA component units called ribonucleotides become embedded in genomic DNA, which contains the complete genetic data for an organism, they can cause problems for cells. It is known that ribonucleotides in DNA can potentially [...]
Tiny genetic variation can predict ovarian cancer outcome
Yale Cancer Center researchers have shown that a tiny genetic variation predicts chances of survival and response to treatment for patients with ovarian cancer.
The findings, published in the journal Oncogene, provide new insights into the biology of …
Antibiotics in Swine Feed Encourage Gene Exchange
A study to be published in the online journal mBio® on November 29 shows that adding antibiotics to swine feed causes microorganisms in the guts of these animals to start sharing genes that could spread [...]
Dogs Prove Evolution
Dogs provide an interesting proof of evolution. Consider the astonishing variety of different dog breeds. There is the tiny Chihuahua, about six inches tall and weighing under six pounds. And other dogs are enormous, with [...]
VCU Massey first to combine targeted agents to kill multiple myeloma cells
Richmond, Va. (Feb. 10, 2011) — Scientists at Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center have developed a novel treatment strategy for multiple myeloma that pairs two targeted agents to kill cancer cells. The study’s findings, published…
DNA engine observed in real-time traveling along base pair track
Kyoto, Japan — In a complex feat of nanoengineering, a team of scientists at Kyoto University and the University of Oxford have succeeded in creating a programable molecular transport system, the workings of which can be observed in real time. The …
Johns Hopkins researchers develop safer way to make induced pluripotent stem cells
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have found a better way to create induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells — adult cells reprogrammed with the properties of embryonic stem cells — from a small blood sample. This new method, described last week in Cell Re…
If junk DNA is useful, why is it not shared more equally?
The presence of introns in genes requires cells to process “messenger RNA” molecules before synthesizing proteins, a process that is costly and often error-prone. It was long believed that this was simply part of the price organisms paid for the fl…
New technology provides first view of DNA damage within entire human genome
New technology providing the first view of DNA damage throughout the entire human genome developed by Cardiff University scientists could offer a valuable new insight into the development and treatment of conditions like cancer.
Professor Ray Wat…
BIOMICs Group analyzes Basque diaspora DNA
The BIOMICs Group, based at the Lucio Lascaray building in the Álava/Araba campus of the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), is specially known for overseeing the SGIker DNA Bank, not only undertaking this task, but also feeding data into t…
Scientists develop method to keep surgically-removed prostate tissue alive and ‘working’ for week
Scientists at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, University of Helsinki and Stanford University have developed a technique to keep normal and cancerous prostate tissue removed during surgery alive and functioning normally in the laboratory for …
UGA study finds moving animals not a panacea for habitat loss
Athens, Ga. — New University of Georgia research suggests moving threatened animals to protected habitats may not always be an effective conservation technique if the breeding patterns of the species are influenced by a social hierarchy.
Res…