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Evaluating DNA impurities in recombinant adeno-associated virus

A new study found that recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) capsids contain single-stranded DNA impurities derived from plasmid and host cell DNA. The researchers suggest that the adverse effects of these impurities may differ from those of double-stranded DNA, highlighting the need for further evaluation.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalHuman Gene Therapy·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 22, 2025

Chinese Medical Journal article reveals the anticancer potential of poly ADP-ribose polymerase inhibitors

PARP inhibitors have been found to be effective in treating cancers with BRCA1/2 mutations by blocking DNA repair pathways. The combination of PARPis with chemotherapeutic drugs can also improve treatment efficacy, increasing DNA damage and blocking repair processes.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalChinese Medical Journal·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 4, 2025

Pusan National University researchers explore the interplay between high-affinity DNA and carbon nanotubes

The study demonstrates significant advancements in stability and functionality of ssDNA-SWCNT complexes, with high-affinity sequences showing superior binding strength. The findings also reveal notable improvements in resistance to enzymatic degradation, making these complexes suitable for long-term biological applications.

SourcePusan National University·JournalAdvanced Science·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2024

How E. coli defends itself against antibiotics

When E. coli detects damage from antibiotic Ciprofloxacin, it sends out an SOS signal that alters cellular activity. The bacteria then mutate their DNA to repair the damage or adapt to resist the antibiotic. Researchers studied this process in detail using bioreactors and found all genes are activated simultaneously at the protein level.

SourceNorwegian University of Science and Technology·JournalFrontiers in Microbiology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2024

New technique reveals earliest signs of genetic mutations

Researchers developed a new technique called HiDEF-seq to detect early molecular changes in DNA code that precede mutations. The study found higher numbers of single-strand DNA changes in healthy cells from people with genetic syndromes linked to cancer, suggesting a link between these changes and the development of cancer.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 12, 2024

Double trouble at chromosome ends

Scientists have discovered two new end-replication problems in DNA replication, affecting both the leading and lagging strands. This revelation changes our understanding of telomere biology and may hold clinical implications for individuals with telomere disorders, such as Coats plus syndrome.

SourceRockefeller University·JournalNature·DateFeb 28, 2024

Nanoprobe with a barcode

Scientists have introduced a new class of protease-activity sensors using gold nanoparticles equipped with peptide DNA, which can detect multiple active proteases in parallel. The method works at room temperature and does not require complicated sample preparation or elaborate instruments.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 13, 2023

Researchers uncover NSMF protein’s role in relieving DNA replication stress

Researchers discovered NSMF protein's role in alleviating DNA replication stress by displacing weakly bound RPA proteins and promoting phosphorylation. This mechanism accelerates relief of replication stress, offering a new direction for treating various diseases, including cancer and age-related conditions.

Rice models moving ‘washers’ that help DNA replicate

Researchers have modelled a key mechanism by which DNA replicates, revealing details about how helicases wrangle DNA during replication. The simulations showed each step of translocation can travel more than 12 nucleotides along the backbone, pinpointing interactions involved in long-distance movement.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 9, 2022

Physical mechanisms explaining DNA and RNA twist changes

Researchers developed a simple physical model to explain DNA deformations caused by ions and temperature changes. The model reveals that salt-induced twist changes are driven by electrostatic interactions, while temperature-induced changes are related to DNA diameter variation. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mec...

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateJun 6, 2022

Supernova: A glowing DNA enzyme

Researchers at IOCB Prague have created a glowing DNA enzyme called Supernova, which catalyzes a chemiluminescent reaction. This breakthrough uses artificial evolution to identify light-producing deoxyribozymes in a vast library of DNA molecules, opening up new possibilities for point-of-care assays and high-throughput screens.

A new twist on DNA origami

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a new type of meta-DNA structure that can be used to engineer sophisticated nanoscale structures and devices. The meta-DNA self-assembly concept has opened up new possibilities for optoelectronics, including information storage and encryption, as well as synthetic biology.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Chemistry·DateSep 7, 2020

Tying the knot: New DNA nanostructures

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a method to create complex knot-like nanostructures in single-stranded DNA, with crossing numbers ranging from 9 to 57. This breakthrough enables the design of molecular structures with specific functions and unprecedented complexity.

SourceArizona State University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 2, 2018

Oddball enzyme provides easy path to synthetic biomaterials

Researchers have developed a new method using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT) enzyme to produce precise, high molecular weight synthetic biomolecular structures. These structures can be tailored to create single-stranded DNA for self-assembling into ball-like containers for drug delivery or incorporating unnatural nucleotides.

SourceDuke University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateMay 16, 2017

A defense protein that causes cancer

A team of Swiss and Russian scientists has deciphered how APOBEC takes advantage of a weakness in DNA replication to induce mutations, primarily affecting early-replicating genes. The study reveals that APOBEC targets single-stranded DNA regions during replication, which are more prone to mutations.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalGenome Research·DateJan 22, 2016

Study led by NUS researchers proves the existence of 3 overstretched DNA structures

Researchers led by NUS Associate Professor Yan Jie identify three new distinct overstretched DNA structures caused by mechanical stretching, resolving a long-standing scientific debate. The discovery has implications for understanding DNA damage repair and gene transcriptions, with potential applications in designing new DNA devices.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 28, 2013

How DNA finds its match

Scientists at the University of California, Davis have made a significant discovery on how DNA repairs itself. They found that the protein Rad51 searches for the correct region to use for repair by forming an extensive filament and guiding it to the right place in the chromosome.

New DNA nanoforms take shape

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a method to construct arbitrary, two and three-dimensional shapes using DNA origami. The new technique allows for the creation of complex curvature in 3D nanostructures, enabling potential applications in ultra-tiny computing components and nanomedical devices.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience·DateApr 14, 2011