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Protein complex discovered to control DNA repair

A team of scientists has identified a previously unrecognized control point in DNA repair processes, which could lead to novel cancer therapies by inhibiting the repair of damaged cancer cells. The newly discovered GSE1-CoREST complex contains three enzymes that control DNA repair and may form the basis for improved cancer treatments.

SourceMedical University of Vienna·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateJan 11, 2024

Where DNA copying into RNA starts could determine whether cancer cells are receptive to treatment

Researchers found that cancer cells are more vulnerable to radiotherapy when using the less common 'YC' first-base-cytosine site instead of the usual 'YR' adenine or guanine start sites. This discovery enables further understanding of gene regulation in cancers and potential targets for treatment.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 23, 2023

A NICER approach to genome editing

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a new gene editing technique called NICER, which significantly reduces off-target mutations compared to traditional CRISPR/Cas9 methods. This novel approach uses multiple small cuts in DNA strands and promotes interhomolog homologous recombination to correct heterozygous mutations.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 15, 2023

Study illuminates mechanism that annotates genetic information passed from fathers to offspring

Researchers at Van Andel Institute have identified a key part of a mechanism that annotates genetic information before it is passed from fathers to their offspring. The findings shed new light on genomic imprinting, a fundamental biological process linked to diseases such as Silver-Russell syndrome and certain cancers.

SourceVan Andel Research Institute·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 6, 2023

How plants pass down genetic memories

Researchers have discovered how plants pass along chemical markers that instruct cells on using DNA codes, a process known as epigenetic inheritance. The study reveals the role of protein DDM1 in making way for enzymes that add regulatory marks to new DNA strands, preserving genetic controls across generations.

DNA decodes the dining preferences of the shell-shucking whitespotted eagle ray

Researchers at Florida Atlantic University uncover the finer-scale feeding patterns of the whitespotted eagle ray, revealing a significantly broader diet than previously described, with high proportions of cockles and wedge shells. The study's findings suggest that these rays can play a facilitative role in reducing predation threats f...

SourceFlorida Atlantic University·JournalFishes·TypeObservational study·DateAug 1, 2023

Luzio, who lived in São Paulo 10,000 years ago, was Amerindian like Indigenous people now, DNA reveals

A study analyzing genomic data from 34 fossils, including the famous sambaquis shell mounds, found that Luzio, São Paulo's oldest skeleton, was a descendant of the ancestral population that settled the Americas at least 16,000 years ago. The research also revealed differences between coastal and inland communities, suggesting two disti...

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·DateJul 31, 2023

A glimpse into the hexasome: 40 years on

A recent study by the Eustermann group at EMBL Heidelberg reveals that DNA packaging into hexasomes impacts the function of enzymes involved in gene regulation. The researchers used cryo-electron microscopy to visualize the molecular processes of how this packaging regulates genome expression and maintenance.

SourceEuropean Molecular Biology Laboratory·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 12, 2023

DNA barcoding identifies the plants a person has eaten

A new technique using DNA barcoding can identify the plant matter in human feces, improving clinical trials, nutrition studies and historical research. The method detected specific plant species and their relative amounts consumed, varying according to diet, age, and household income.

SourceDuke University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeObservational study·DateJun 27, 2023

The digital dark matter clouding AI

Scientists using popular computational tools to interpret AI predictions are picking up too much 'noise' when analyzing DNA. Researchers have found a way to fix this by applying a new line of code, leading to more reliable explanations and potentially unlocking the next breakthrough in health and medicine.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalGenome Biology·DateJun 5, 2023

A multiomics approach provides insights into flu severity

Researchers used a multiomics approach to analyze changes in transposable elements after influenza A virus infection, identifying transcription factors contributing to individual responses. The study provides insights into the variable severity of illness among individuals infected with the same virus.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCell Genomics·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 22, 2023

UW Medicine scientists among leads of NIH pangenome studies

The Human Pangenome Reference Consortium expands and updates the human genome project with nearly full genomic data from 47 people of diverse ancestry. Researchers at UW Medicine made significant contributions to drafting the pangenome reference and studying variation within repetitive DNA, which could improve equity in human genome re...

SourceUniversity of Washington School of Medicine/UW Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 10, 2023