A new blood test developed by Johns Hopkins Medicine accurately identifies more than half of people with early-stage colorectal, breast, lung, and ovarian cancers. The test distinguishes between cancer-specific DNA and altered DNA that can be mistaken for biomarkers.
A study published in Science reveals that archaeal DNA folding is identical to the process found in more complex organisms, suggesting an early prototype for the eukaryotic nucleosome. This discovery sheds light on the evolutionary origins of genome folding and raises questions about the common ancestor of life.
Studies of microbe DNA structure reveal surprising similarities to human DNA folding, suggesting an early common ancestor. The discovery hints at the evolutionary origins of genome folding in eukaryotes.
A team of Vanderbilt University researchers has worked out the molecular details of Yatakemycin (YTM), a potent bacterial toxin that prevents DNA replication. The study reveals how YTM stabilizes DNA, making it resistant to repair mechanisms, and could be used to fine-tune its antimicrobial properties.
Scientists in China have derived a formula to calculate the end-to-end distance of semiflexible polymers, including DNA and RNA, accounting for their stretchiness. This method enables researchers to estimate the flexibility of segments of DNA, crucial for its biological function.
A new imaging technique has revealed a more diverse and flexible DNA structure than previously thought, featuring small folds of DNA in close proximity. This discovery provides exciting insights into how chromatin directs gene expression and regulation.
Researchers at Salk Institute have visualized chromatin structure in living human cells using a novel DNA dye and advanced microscopy. They found that chromatin forms a semi-flexible chain with varying packing density, suggesting that gene activity is determined by compaction rather than higher-order structures.
Researchers discovered how Cas1-Cas2 proteins insert viral DNA into CRISPR region by relying on flexible Cas1 protein, IHF binding, and DNA bending, allowing proper storage of 'memories' of prior viral infections. This finding opens doors for modification of the proteins to redirect them to other sequences.
Researchers have discovered how certain enzymes in living organisms can repair damaged DNA caused by prolonged exposure to UV light. The enzymes, called (6-4) DNA photolyase, use electrostatic interactions to bind to the damaged DNA and keep it separate from the rest of the cell.
A team from Kyoto University developed a synthetic compound that can bind to mitochondrial DNA, suppressing a gene associated with nerve and muscle disease. The compound, MITO-PIP, caused a 60% to 90% reduction in the expression of a key gene involved in mitochondrial metabolism.
Forensic scientists at Nagoya University have successfully extracted human DNA from mosquitoes' stomachs and amplified it using PCR techniques. The team found that human DNA remained viable in mosquito blood for up to two days after feeding, providing a new tool for crime scene investigators.
The study suggests that a hominin migration out of Africa occurred between 470,000 and 220,000 years ago, introducing their mitochondrial DNA to the Neanderthal population. This event reconciles discrepancies in nuclear and mitochondrial DNA phylogenies, providing new insights into human evolution.
Scientists describe the first step of DNA packing in a cell, revealing how protein H1 helps compact and shield DNA. The discovery sheds light on genetic processes critical to understanding diseases like cancer and muscular dystrophy.
Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology create liposomes with a DNA-based skeletal support, allowing them to withstand osmotic pressure and maintain their structure. This innovation enables controlled release of entrapped compounds and opens up new possibilities for drug delivery and cosmetics.
A study by the Stowers Institute for Medical Research found that cancer cells often lose copies of repetitive sequences known as ribosomal DNA, which may enable faster proliferation but also render them more sensitive to DNA damage. This could potentially be exploited by DNA-damaging chemotherapeutics.
Researchers have built simple machines out of DNA consisting of arrays whose units switch reversibly between two different shapes. The arrays' properties shed light on how to build structures with more complex, dynamic behaviors. By harnessing these DNA mini-machines, scientists may be able to create nanotech sensors and amplifiers.
A study by the University of Edinburgh reveals that dynamic DNA properties can ward off gene damage and promote genome organization. The research highlights the importance of scaffold attachment factor A in forming a protective chromatin mesh that allows for flexible and responsive cell signals.
Researchers watched individual DNA strands replicate and found that polymerases on the leading and lagging strands are completely autonomous, with no coordination. The study reveals a new stochastic view of DNA replication, challenging conventional wisdom and providing insights into this essential biological process.
A team of researchers has discovered that a DNA-cutting enzyme plays a broad role in driving abnormal genetic rearrangements, including translocations that cause cancer. The study identified specific sites of DNA damage along the entire genome of human leukemia cells.
Italian scientists introduce NanoTracer, a simplified assay combining DNA barcoding with nanotechnology to authenticate food with the naked eye. The test detects substitutes and adulterants in products like European perch and saffron powder.
New simulations reveal DNA's constant motion enables rapid transcription factor diffusion, contradicting the long-held assumption of rigid DNA. The findings have significant implications for understanding cell processes and potentially boost speed and accuracy in biological and medical research.
Drexel University researchers uncover a crucial role of the Rad52 protein in RNA-dependent DNA repair. The study reveals an unexpected function of Rad52, promoting 'inverse strand exchange' between double-stranded DNA and RNA molecules. This mechanism may help identify new therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.
A new two-part system turns embryonic or adult stem cells into the desired target cell type, reproducing flawlessly. The system uses a DNA plasmid that makes cells glow green when exposed to blue light, allowing researchers to track its removal and control gene expression.
Researchers at Penn State have created inexpensive molecular rulers for DNA research using new, license-free DNA ladders. These plasmids can estimate DNA fragment sizes between 50 and 5,000 base pairs in length, offering a cost-effective alternative to commercially available methods.
Researchers from Mayo Clinic have made significant progress in understanding the DNA damage response proteins and their role in repairing double-strand breaks. The study reveals how these proteins work together to fix damaged DNA, potentially leading to new therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.
A new study has unravelled the mystery of how mitochondria can withstand attacks on their DNA from rogue molecules. The discovery could lead to new treatments for cancer and neurodegenerative diseases by boosting DNA repair capacity or selectively damaging mitochondria in cancer cells.
Scientists have discovered DNA from ancient humans in cave sediments lacking skeletal remains. The technique used has identified Neandertal and Denisovan DNA sequences, providing valuable insights into human evolutionary history.
Researchers found somatic mitochondrial DNA inserts in colon and rectal cancer genomes, correlated with gene-rich segments and poorer patient survival. A novel Fiber-FISH technique rapidly maps mitochondrial DNA insertions in nuclear genomes.
Researchers at IBS prove the accuracy of a gene editing method that substitutes one nucleotide in the genome, finding it more accurate than CRISPR-Cas9. The technique caused fewer off-target changes, indicating its potential for widespread use.
Engineers at FAU have successfully produced complex crystal lattices, so-called clathrates, using DNA strands and nanoparticles. The team achieved this by reordering pyramid-shaped gold crystals to form clathrate compounds through a self-assembling process.
A Northwestern University study found that free-floating proteins can break up protein-DNA bonds at a single-binding site, disrupting gene expression. This discovery challenges previous beliefs about the stability of protein-DNA interactions and has implications for understanding biological processes in living cells.
Researchers at TUM have developed a method to construct custom DNA-protein hybrid structures using genetically encoded proteins and DNA. This approach allows for the creation of complex shapes and spatial arrangements that can be used to investigate fundamental processes in cell biology and biotechnology.
Researchers at Aarhus University have described the structure and organization of the DNA control protein Rad26, revealing how kinase Rad3 is recruited to damaged DNA. This new knowledge may lead to the development of Rad3 inhibitors that make cancer cells more susceptible to chemotherapy.
Researchers have developed a DNA storage method called DNA Fountain that approaches the theoretical maximum for DNA storage, storing 60% more data than previous efforts. The technique uses a coding approach to randomly package information and reassemble it in order, minimizing errors and allowing for reliable retrieval of stored data.
A team of researchers at Columbia University has developed an algorithm that unlocks DNA's full storage potential, storing up to 215 petabytes of data in a single gram. They demonstrate the reliability and efficiency of their DNA Fountain technique, which packs more information into DNA molecules than previously published methods.
A recent study by Caltech and Vanderbilt University researchers found that electrons play a crucial role in DNA replication, allowing the cell to quickly locate and repair mutations. The discovery reveals a new pathway for cells to regulate DNA replication, which is essential for maintaining genome stability.
A team of researchers at Caltech has developed a software tool called Seesaw Compiler that allows users to design and build DNA circuits with ease. The tool uses a systematic wet-lab procedure to guide researchers through the process, making it accessible to novices like undergraduate students.
An ASU-led team has developed the first controllable DNA switch, allowing for reversible control of electricity flow within a single molecule. The modified DNA helix can conduct electricity and is reversibly controlled using an anthraquinone group.
Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology develop DNA computer capable of detecting several antibodies in blood and performing subsequent calculations. This system allows for controlled drug delivery into the bloodstream, a key step towards intelligent drugs with fewer side effects and lower costs.
Researchers at Louisiana State University have discovered a way to sequence the DNA of rare and extinct animals preserved in natural history museum collections. This breakthrough enables scientists to analyze the genetic relationships among species, including those that were thought to be lost to science.
University of North Texas researchers used Maverick supercomputer to perform the first all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of Cas9-catalyzed DNA cleavage. The simulations provided insight into the Cas9 enzyme's active state and resolving controversies about its cutting process.
Adaptive PCR, a new method developed by Vanderbilt University biomedical engineers, uses left-handed DNA to monitor and control PCR reactions. This approach promises to simplify PCR operation, improve reliability, reduce sensitivity to environmental conditions, and enable handheld size.
Researchers have characterized the critical function of the Zf-GRF domain in manipulating DNA during repair processes. The domain is essential for APE2 enzyme activity, enabling it to bind to single-stranded DNA and facilitate its 3'-5' resection.
E-cigarette vapour exposure has been shown to be genotoxic and cytotoxic in human lung cells at high doses. In contrast, Vype e-cigarette vapour produced no DNA damage even at 28 times the equivalent smoke dose. The findings suggest that e-cigarettes are safer than smoking cigarettes.
Researchers found that cytoplasmic DNA can accumulate beneficial substitutions faster than free-living sexual genomes. Cytoplasmic genomes, including mitochondria and plastids, undergo adaptation due to uniparental inheritance and egg cell selection against faulty mitochondria.
Researchers have solved the mystery of DNA replication by identifying a ring of proteins that binds to origin DNA, causing it to melt and initiate replication. This discovery could lead to understanding genetic duplication and potentially blocking viral pathogens and cancer cells.
Researchers capture elusive DNA reaction intermediates in living cells, discovering mechanisms underlying genome instability and a new role for an E. coli protein related to human cancer proteins. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new drugs that prevent cancer by neutralizing these key pieces of genetic code.
Researchers from Lomonosov Moscow State University have discovered the mechanisms of DNA packaging in the cell nucleus, which has implications for epigenetic control of gene expression. The study reveals that chromatin structures maintain high levels of packing and flexibility despite traditional notions.
A new technique allows researchers to quickly and cheaply generate DNA variants in a particular stretch of DNA, enabling the distinction between harmless and potentially hazardous genetic variations. This technique has the potential to speed up gene catalog creation and aid clinicians in interpreting genetic mutations.
A recent study found that hybrid structures composed of DNA and RNA play a crucial role in restoring genetic information after damage. The research also revealed that RNase H enzymes targeting these hybrids are vital for efficient DNA repair. This discovery offers potential for developing new cancer drugs targeting these enzymes.
A research team has solved the three-dimensional structure of PrimPol, a key protein that helps damaged cellular DNA repair itself. The knowledge gained from this study will likely aid in designing anti-cancer agents.
Researchers develop universal assay to detect cisplatin cross-linking sites in the genome. They found that mitochondrial DNA is a major target of cisplatin's action, while nuclear DNA is less affected.
Researchers discovered that cyanobacteria form compacted DNA structures transiently before cell division, similar to eukaryotes. The compacted DNA includes polyphosphate bodies that may regulate phosphate supply for DNA synthesis.
A mathematical analysis has led to a formula describing the movement of DNA inside living human cells, enabling researchers to study the 3D architecture of the genome. The findings provide key insights into how genes are accessed by cellular machinery.
A new study from the University of Pennsylvania has developed a system to observe the repair of broken DNA in telomeres, a process that drives 15% of cancers. The researchers found that this unique type of repair, called break-induced telomere synthesis, differs from other forms of homologous recombination.
Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute developed a new electronic DNA sequencing platform using biologically engineered nanopores, enabling highly scalable, accurate single-molecule DNA sequencing. The method can transform precision medicine by dramatically lowering the cost of sequencing while increasing accuracy.
A study has identified over 1.9 million variants affecting multiple DNA 'letters', clarifying part of the human genome's unknown regions. These findings enable researchers to predict the occurrence of large structural changes and discover new genes, such as a previously unknown ZNF gene present in half of the Dutch population.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine identified a unique 'constrained motion' pattern in which Rad4, a repair protein, scans DNA for structural faults. This discovery could lead to therapies that enhance existing treatments and counter drug-resistance, particularly in cancer.
Researchers from NIST and collaborators suggest a new DNA sequencer based on an electronic nanosensor that can detect tiny motions in single atoms. The device uses a thin film of molybdenum disulfide to store electric charge, allowing for fast and accurate sequencing of DNA bases.
A new study by Duke University researchers creates an analog DNA circuit that can add, subtract and multiply in a test tube, using concentrations of specific DNA strands as signals. The technology has the potential to be used in diagnosing and treating diseases, with applications including sensing vital signs and detecting molecular si...