5. University of Cambridge (2013, January 20).
'Quadruple helix' DNA discovered in human
cells.
Researches at
Cambridge recently
reported that there
are quadruple
structure DNA in
human cancer cells.
6. Scientists believe it may be possible to halt the
runaway cell proliferation at the root of cancer by
marking the quadruplexes with synthetic molecules
that trap the genetic sequences and stop the DNA
replication during cell division.
7. By using antibody
proteins, the
researchers were
able to identify the
quadruple-structures
DNA in human
cells, especially
during the S-Phase
of cell division.
8. The researchers also reported that a gene with a
higher level of quadruple DNA is more vulnerable to
external interference.
9. The finding of a whole different DNA
structure within the human cells
needs to be more
investigated, since it could led to a
new approach towards cancer and
oncogenes studies
10. Johns Hopkins Medicine (2013, January 20).
Epigenetics explains rheumatism? Genes and
their regulatory 'tags' conspire to promote
rheumatoid arthritis.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins and The
Karolinska Institutet have spotted
tagged DNA sequences important in
the development of rheumatoid
arthritis.
11. Some tags depend on specific DNA sequences, while
others depend on cellular processes and environmental
changes. The investigators catalogued DNA sequences
and tagging patterns in the white blood cells of 300
people in order to identify the two types of tagging
events.
12. As they were able to track
the tag in DNA sequences
implicated in rheumatoid
arthritis, the treatment for
this disease can have a
major improve, since
clinicians can directly attack
the implicated genes and
their tag.
13. The researchers also reported that the
amount of variation found in some tagging
events give individuals a greater chance of
adapting to environmental changes, and
this is why some genetic sequences have
to be preserved.
14. The important part of this research is that
the results can explain the relationship
between epigenetics and the development
of not only rheumatoid arthritis, but other
diseases with a genetic risk.
15. The study of epigenetics and DNA
structure is very important
nowadays because it brings new
answers about genetic and
autoimmune diseases.
16. One of the most important
things about this kind of
investigations is that they not
only clear things about the
development and risk
factors, but they shed a new
light about the treatment.
It means, existing treatments
can be changed and
improved, and also, new
treatments can be developed.
17. Tagging DNA sequences and marking genes can provide a
better overview about the development and process of
many diseases.
18. Talking specifically about the quadruplex DNA, we
can be sure about the importance of this research
when it comes to cancer treatment, since the
investigators proved that DNA replication in cancer
cells can be blocked.
19. • University of Cambridge (2013, January 20).
'Quadruple helix' DNA discovered in human
cells.
• Johns Hopkins Medicine (2013, January 20).
Epigenetics explains rheumatism? Genes and
their regulatory 'tags' conspire to promote
rheumatoid arthritis.
