Online DNA Services Vulnerable to Genetic Hacking
With the growth of home DNA testing, online services such as GEDMatch, MyHeritage and FamilyTreeDNA have become popular places for people to upload their genetic…
DNA
Genetic Sequencing Tests Routinely Fail to Analyze Large Segments of DNA – “Potentially Critical Deficiency”
UT Southwestern Medical Center experts: Gaps in clinical whole exome sequencing at major commercial labs indicative of larger issue Reanalysis of patient samples from 3…
New Test Can Quickly Detect Potentially Cancer-Causing DNA Damage
Screen could offer better safety tests for new chemicals: Using specialized liver cells, a new test can quickly detect potentially cancer-causing DNA damage. It’s estimated…
New Answers in the Search for the Origin of Life
Life Could Have Emerged From Lakes With High Phosphorus Life as we know it requires phosphorus. It’s one of the six main chemical elements of…
Scientists Extract Complete Human Genome From 5,700-Year-Old “Chewing Gum” – Here’s What They Found
Researchers from the University of Copenhagen have succeeded in extracting a complete human genome from a thousands-of-years old “chewing gum”. According to the researchers, it…
Mysterious Circular DNA Causes Cancer in Children – Surprising New Insights Into Cancer Genetics
First Map of Circular DNA in Childhood Cancer Cancer development is associated with the gradual accumulation of DNA defects over time. Thus, cancer is considered…
DNA Sequencing Reveals Carolina Parakeet Extinction Was Driven by Humans
The lack of signals of population decline found on its genome points to a human-mediated, abrupt extinction. Researchers from the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE,…
“DNA of Things” – Storing Extensive Data in Everyday Objects
Living beings contain their own assembly and operating instructions in the form of DNA. That’s not the case with inanimate objects: anyone wishing to 3D…
New Tool for Rapidly Analyzing CRISPR Edits Reveals Frequent Unintended DNA Changes
New method unmasks all DNA changes caused by CRISPR in two days vs. two months; Most errant edits may be harmless, but insights essential to…
Scientists Discover Structure of Mysterious Protein Central to the Functioning of DNA
Scientists Now Know What DNA’s Chaperone Looks Like Researchers have discovered the structure of the FACT protein—a mysterious protein central to the functioning of DNA….
DNA Is Just One Among Millions of Possible Genetic Molecules – Clues for Origin of Life & Search for Extraterrestrial Biology
Scientists computed a zoo of millions of alternate genetic polymer molecular structures, giving context for why biology encodes information how it does, and providing potential…
Re-Cracking the Genetic Code – We May Have Only Begun to Scratch the Surface
Crack open a biology textbook and you will find a standard icon of molecular biology: the table summarizing the standard genetic code. This refers to…
Dangerous Toxin Genetically Engineered Into a High-Resolution Biosensor
Some bacteria release a toxin that forms pores on other cells. EPFL scientists have studied the pore-forming toxin aerolysin and genetically engineered it to be…
Study of Koala Virus Epidemic Uncovers “Innate” Genome Immune System
In animals, infections are fought by the immune system. Studies on an unusual virus infecting wild koalas, by a team of researchers from the University…
Key Found to Origin of Life on Earth? Deliquescent Salts and Hot, Humid Summers
Uncovering how the first biological molecules (like proteins and DNA) arose is a major goal for researchers attempting to solve the origins of life. SLU…
Cornell Scientists Unravel Mystery Behind DNA Replication
The molecules of life are twisted. But how those familiar strands in DNA’s double helix manage to replicate without being tangled up has been hard…
Analyzing the Current Ethical Landscape of Ancient DNA Research
An international team seeks to integrate diverse voices, experiences and expertise into the scientific practices of ancient DNA research and foster better collaboration with Indigenous…
Rapid Evolution of Deadly Pathogen: Cholera Bacterium Can Steal Up to 150 Genes in One Go
EPFL scientists have discovered that predatory bacteria like the cholera pathogen can steal up to 150 genes in one go from their neighbors. The study…