Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have discovered a molecule that helps more mitochondria function properly, improving energy production in cells from patients with POLG mutations. This breakthrough paves the way for a new treatment strategy and may have broader therapeutic use for other mitochondrial diseases.
SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 9, 2025
A new study found that combining histone deacetylase inhibitors, poly (ADP ribose) polymerase inhibitors, and decitabine resulted in synergistic cytotoxicity in all cell lines tested. This combination impaired DNA repair pathways and altered epigenetic regulation of gene expression.
SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 5, 2024
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Researchers at IOCB Prague have developed a novel method for preparing ribonucleic acid (RNA) containing modified bases using engineered DNA polymerases. This opens the door to applications in chemical biology and therapeutic applications, including mRNA drugs.
SourceInstitute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IOCB Prague)·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 23, 2024
Researchers identified 10 new types of DNA polymerase involved in mitochondrial DNA maintenance, including rdxPolA, which is a direct descendant of the α-proteobacterial symbiont that gave rise to the first mitochondrion. The study provides critical insights into the early evolution of mitochondrial DNA maintenance machinery.
SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalMolecular Biology and Evolution·DateFeb 29, 2024
Researchers at UNC School of Medicine have pieced together the lesser-known DNA repair pathway, polymerase theta-mediated end joining (TMEJ), which is upregulated in patients with hereditary breast cancer, ovarian cancer, and prostate cancer. The discovery could lead to new therapies for cancer by targeting this pathway.
SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNature·DateNov 15, 2023
Researchers identified key factors in DNA repair, revealing the 'proofreading' portion of polymerase epsilon helps prevent strand breakage. This knowledge arms scientists with ways to enhance anti-cancer drug effectiveness and develop new diagnostic methods.
SourceTokyo Metropolitan University·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateNov 11, 2023
A new process developed by researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters greatly reduces bias in gene amplification, enabling high-coverage genome sequencing from single bacterial cells. The improved method uses an engineered phi29 DNA polymerase that is more efficient and robust than traditional versions.
SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalFrontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology·DateJul 24, 2023
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Researchers have developed a sustainable and scalable method to produce therapeutic oligonucleotides, which have the potential to treat various diseases. The new approach uses polymerases to amplify a catalytic DNA template in a single step, addressing challenges associated with current methods.
SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalScience·DateJun 28, 2023
Researchers discovered that MSH2-MSH3 plays a crucial role in selecting the right DNA repair process by interacting with other proteins during DSB repair. This interaction facilitates error-free homologous recombination and blocks error-prone polymerase theta-mediated end-joining.
SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 18, 2023
Scientists discovered a new type of DNA repair mechanism that cancer cells use to recover from next-generation cancer radiation therapy. DNA polymerase θ (POLQ) is an important factor in repairing complex DNA double-strand breaks, and inhibiting POLQ may augment the efficacy of heavy ion radiation therapy.
SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNucleic Acids Research·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 16, 2023
Researchers estimate transcription error rates in human cells and identify genetic and epigenetic factors responsible for inaccuracies. Inaccurate transcription produces truncated or altered proteins, leading to disease.
SourceArizona State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2023
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Researchers at Nagoya University have identified new agents involved in DNA damage tolerance pathways, including RFWD3, which may contribute to anticancer treatment. The study's findings suggest that inhibiting these pathways could sensitize cancer cells to conventional chemotherapeutic agents.
SourceNagoya University·JournalLife Science Alliance·DateSep 20, 2022
Researchers have discovered the genetic basis of natural resistance in cassava to mosaic disease, which is transmitted by whiteflies and causes significant yield losses. The gene, known as CMD2, is a DNA polymerase that corrects errors during replication, making it essential for the virus's survival.
SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 21, 2022
Researchers at Medical University of South Carolina found that blocking the enzyme polymerase reduces the virus's ability to multiply. This discovery exposes an Achilles' heel that could be targeted with a therapeutic. Polymerase is a key tool for DNA replication and repair, making the virus vulnerable to disruption.
SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJournal of Virology·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2022
A study by Rice University bioscientists has revealed the presence of a central metal ion critical to DNA replication and implicated in misincorporation. The research found that three metal ions are involved in the process, with the first supporting nucleotide binding and the second stabilizing the binding of loose nucleotides. This di...
SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 9, 2022
A new protein called NDF has been discovered to enhance gene activation and may be involved in diseases like cancer. Found in all human tissues, NDF works by stimulating RNA polymerase elongation, a key step in gene expression.
SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalGenes & Development·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 9, 2022
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Researchers introduce a new theoretical model that explains how DNA supercoiling drives collective dynamics of RNA polymerases during transcription. The model considers the number of RNAPs and transcription factor binding, revealing two contrasting modes of RNAP group dynamics.
SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 9, 2021
Researchers found that DNA polymerases derived from E. coli are more prone to errors under microgravity, increasing the mutation rate and potentially leading to cancer. The study's results highlight the importance of designing rotating spaceships with artificial gravity to prevent negative effects on astronauts' health.
SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 29, 2021
Cryo-EM study reveals details of DNA repair mechanism translesion synthesis (TLS), allowing cells to survive with mutations. Key protein complex Pol K - PCNA interaction modulated by ubiquitination facilitates recruitment of TLS polymerase to damage sites.
SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalNature Communications·TypeImaging analysis·DateNov 22, 2021
GIST scientists utilized latest advances in single molecule detection to observe the enzymatic activity of gene repair. The study revealed that ExoIII has an affinity for damaged DNA sites, creating a gap that Pol I fills. Understanding this mechanism may lead to technologies for targeted gene repair and drug development.
SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateSep 13, 2021
Yang Gao's lab has received a $1.9 million NIH grant to investigate the mechanisms of proteins that produce copies of genomic DNA, with potential implications for cancer treatment. The research aims to understand how DNA replication and repair processes can be targeted to develop new therapies.
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Thomas Jefferson University researchers identified a highly efficient human reverse transcriptase, polymerase theta, which can convert RNA sequences back into DNA. This finding challenges the long-held assumption that polymerases only work in one direction and has implications for various fields of biology.
SourceThomas Jefferson University·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 11, 2021
CSU researchers have observed early RNA transcription dynamics by recording where, when, and how RNA polymerase enzymes kick off transcription. The breakthrough technology has far-reaching potential, including sharpening understanding of basic biological processes and unveiling genetic underpinnings of certain diseases.
SourceColorado State University·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 27, 2021
Scientists have isolated a genetic clue in the form of an RNA polymerase enzyme that offers new insights into the origins of life. The discovery provides evidence for the RNA World Hypothesis, suggesting that self-replicating RNA molecules were capable of driving chemical reactions essential for life.
SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalScience·DateMar 18, 2021
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Researchers have solved a long-standing mystery of how living organisms distinguish RNA and DNA building blocks during gene expression. The discovery enables the design of more effective antiviral drugs targeting viral RNA polymerases.
SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 17, 2021
Cryo-electron microscopy study reveals how an enzyme synthesizes ribosomal RNA at different speeds depending on the bacteria's growth rate, providing insights into the regulation of this process and its importance in E. coli cells.
SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 22, 2021
A new approach to studying DNA packaging allows scientists to study individual cells and uncover the underlying mechanisms of chromatin folding. The technique reveals that Drosophila fly cells have structured domains similar to those found in mammalian cells, but with more ordered structures.
SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 12, 2021
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New research reveals that Rho protein 'hitchhikes' on RNA polymerase for the duration of transcription, cooperating with other proteins to eventually coax the enzyme through structural changes. This process refutes traditional understanding of how Rho stops gene expression.
Scientists have unraveled the structure and mechanism of DNA polymerase ζ, an enzyme that replicates through daily DNA-damaging events. This discovery offers valuable insights into developing effective inhibitors to make cancer cells more sensitive to chemotherapy.
SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateAug 17, 2020
Researchers have developed a novel method to quantify deoxyribonucleotide triphosphates (dNTP) concentrations in small tissue samples, which is useful for studying mitochondrial diseases and cancer. The technique uses DNA polymerase and fluorescent dye, allowing for accurate measurement even in samples with low dNTP concentration.
SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateJun 24, 2020
Max Planck researchers have successfully developed a self-replicating genome, enabling the regeneration of proteins and DNA. The artificial system, assembled from modular DNA pieces, can produce its own translation factors and maintain chemical systems.
SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 18, 2020
Researchers at Rice University have developed a theoretical model explaining how RNA polymerase enzymes trigger bursts of RNA production in cells. The model suggests that DNA supercoils, like springs, are involved in the process, with RNA polymerases compressing and releasing tension to regulate protein production.
SourceRice University·JournalBiophysical Journal·DateJan 30, 2020
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Scientists at the University of Exeter's Living Systems Institute have discovered a fresh understanding of how genes are copied, shedding light on the transcription process. The study suggests that two long-debated models work together to terminate gene expression, providing a more accurate explanation for this complex process.
SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalGenes & Development·DateDec 6, 2019
Researchers discovered enzymes can efficiently conduct electricity under proper conditions, enabling new innovations in medical diagnostics and DNA sequencing. The study's findings could lead to the development of biological parallel processors and revolutionize the field of nanotechnology.
SourceArizona State University·JournalACS Nano·DateOct 31, 2019
Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital have discovered the near-atomic-resolution structure of DNA polymerase delta, a crucial enzyme in genome replication. The team also mapped mutations associated with cancers and other diseases.
SourceThe Mount Sinai Hospital / Mount Sinai School of Medicine·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateOct 3, 2019
A study from IRB Barcelona describes the reaction mechanism of DNAzymes, which catalyse RNA ligation through a similar mechanism to natural enzymes. The discovery may lead to improvements in current catalysers and the design of novel biocatalysers formed by DNA.
SourceInstitute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)·JournalNature Catalysis·DateJun 20, 2019
Scientists discovered a giant virus, Medusavirus, that turns amoebas into stone-like cysts and harbors ancient proteins crucial to eukaryotic life. This finding suggests a possible relationship between the virus and the emergence of complex life.
SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJournal of Virology·DateApr 30, 2019
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Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.
A protein complex, Ccr4-Not, has been shown to recruit factors that mark RNAPII with ubiquitin, triggering its degradation and clearing the jam. This process is essential for normal cell function and preventing diseases associated with DNA damage.
SourcePenn State·JournalGenes & Development·DateApr 5, 2019
A new study led by Grant Brown suggests that at times of stress, DNA replication errors are far more frequent than previously appreciated. This could lead to increased mutations in human cells, potentially contributing to cancer and other diseases.
SourceUniversity of Toronto·JournalMolecular Cell·DateFeb 4, 2019
Scientists at the University of Konstanz have gained detailed structural insights into DNA polymerases interacting with modified substrates. This knowledge can be used to advance genome sequencing and other areas of molecular biology-based diagnostics.
SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 18, 2018
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer
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Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine describe how RNA polymerase I stalls by DNA lesions caused by UV exposure. The study identifies a key amino acid essential to detecting UV damage, offering potential for novel cancer therapeutic targets.
SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 22, 2018
Jeff Gelles to receive 2019 BPS Kazuhito Kinosita Award in Single-Molecule Biophysics, recognizing his exceptional contributions to single-molecule studies and cross-disciplinary research. The award aims to promote further developments in the field, advancing an appreciation of single-molecule biophysics among scientists.
Researchers used single-molecule magnetic tweezers to study FACT's function in gene transcription. They found that FACT not only destabilizes nucleosome structure but also enhances reversibility of nucleosome formation, revealing its dual role.
SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJul 19, 2018
Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago discovered that persistent binding of the Cas9 protein to DNA causes CRISPR failure. To improve efficiency, they found that consistent strand selection forces RNA polymerases to collide with Cas9, knocking it off DNA.
SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalMolecular Cell·DateJul 10, 2018
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Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.
Scientists at UC Berkeley developed a new DNA synthesis method that uses a natural human enzyme to print long DNA strands in water. The technique offers improved precision and potential for faster research and development of new medicines.
SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateJun 18, 2018
A team of scientists discovered a key factor that unravels nucleosomes, allowing genes to activate. This finding provides new insights into the regulation of genes and has implications for understanding human diseases such as cancer.
SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalGenes & Development·DateMay 14, 2018
Researchers have determined the molecular target and mechanism of action of fidaxomicin, a front-line antibiotic for treating Clostridium difficile infections. The study reveals that fidaxomicin inhibits bacterial RNA polymerase through a unique binding site and mechanism, allowing it to target resistant strains.
SourceRutgers University·JournalMolecular Cell·DateMar 29, 2018
A team of researchers has made a breakthrough in understanding how transcription is terminated, revealing key components and mechanisms involved. The study used gene editing approaches to identify the molecular torpedo that stops RNA polymerase, shedding new light on this fundamental biological process.
SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalGenes & Development·DateFeb 12, 2018
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered how the most common DNA mutation happens, a phenomenon that allows guanine and thymine bases to change shape and avoid detection by enzymes. This finding provides a foundation for understanding other types of DNA mutations, which are responsible for diseases and normal aging.
SourceOhio State University·JournalNature·DateFeb 1, 2018
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Researchers found a transient, shape-shifting mechanism in DNA that influences the frequency of spontaneous mutations, which can drive evolution and diseases like cancer. The study reveals that specific DNA sequences affect the rates of these errors.
Researchers used magnetic tweezers to monitor RNA polymerase enzymes during replication, revealing a new class of antivirals that pause and backtrack the virus' machinery. This understanding can help fine-tune drug design and accelerate approval.
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute have developed a method for creating modified DNA-based hydrogels with unique properties. These hydrogels can be dissolved, reformed, and retain their biochemical activity, making them suitable for various applications such as drug delivery and cell growth.
SourceScripps Research Institute·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateOct 11, 2017
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.
SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalCell·DateJun 15, 2017
Recent research from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research reveals that polymerase pauses prevent other machines from immediately following, thereby controlling the flow of genetic information. Paused polymerases keep new polymerases from initiating transcription, maintaining a controlled pace during gene expression.
SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalNature Genetics·DateMay 17, 2017
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Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.
Researchers have determined the atomic structure of African swine fever virus enzyme AsfvPolX, revealing a unique binding pocket and high error rate. This could lead to the development of targeted treatments by blocking the binding pocket with drugs.
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.
SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateFeb 23, 2017
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.
SourceVanderbilt University·JournalAnalytical Chemistry·DateJan 11, 2017
A recent study by Robert A. Martienssen's team reveals that RNA interference (RNAi) is essential for quiescent cells to maintain their state, preventing the accumulation of heterochromatin and promoting cell survival.
SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalScience·DateNov 9, 2016
A new technology called Maximum Depth Sequencing (MDS) can accurately read the order of DNA code and reveal how bacteria use high-speed evolution to defeat antibiotics. MDS also promises to enable earlier cancer diagnosis by detecting rare genetic changes in human cell populations.
SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature·DateJun 22, 2016
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DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
The Rutgers scientists reveal how a transcription activator protein interacts with RNA polymerase and DNA to initiate transcription. The discovery provides a molecular picture of transcription activation at a target promoter.
SourceRutgers University·JournalScience·DateJun 9, 2016