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News tagged with rna

Brain development is guided by 'junk' DNA that isn't really junk

(Medical Xpress)—Specific DNA once dismissed as junk plays an important role in brain development and might be involved in several devastating neurological diseases, UC San Francisco scientists have found.

Genetics created Apr 15, 2013 | popularity 4.9 / 5 (14) | comments 2 | with audio podcast

New flu drug stops virus in its tracks

A new class of influenza drug has been shown effective against drug-resistant strains of the flu virus, according to a study led by University of British Columbia researchers.

Medical research created Feb 21, 2013 | popularity 4.6 / 5 (11) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

A change of heart: Researchers reprogram brain cells to become heart cells

For the past decade, researchers have tried to reprogram the identity of all kinds of cell types. Heart cells are one of the most sought-after cells in regenerative medicine because researchers anticipate ...

Medical research created Jul 08, 2011 | popularity 4.5 / 5 (10) | comments 7 | with audio podcast

Surprising culprits behind cell death from fat and sugar overload

Excess nutrients, such as fat and sugar, don't just pack on the pounds but can push some cells in the body over the brink. Unable to tolerate this "toxic" environment, these cells commit suicide.

Medical research created Jul 05, 2011 | popularity 4.6 / 5 (9) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

ENCODE project: In massive genome analysis new data suggests 'gene' redefinition

Most people understand genes to be specific segments of DNA that determine traits or diseases that are inherited. Textbooks suggest that genes are copied ("transcribed") into RNA molecules, which are then used as templates ...

Genetics created Sep 05, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (8) | comments 3 | with audio podcast

Our brains are made of the same stuff, despite DNA differences

Despite vast differences in the genetic code across individuals and ethnicities, the human brain shows a "consistent molecular architecture," say researchers supported by the National Institutes of Health. ...

Genetics created Oct 26, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (7) | comments 9 | with audio podcast

New nanoparticles that shut off cancer genes shrink tumors in mice

By sequencing cancer-cell genomes, scientists have discovered vast numbers of genes that are mutated, deleted or copied in cancer cells. This treasure trove is a boon for researchers seeking new drug targets, but it is nearly ...

Cancer created Aug 15, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (7) | comments 2 | with audio podcast

New study points to major discovery for Alzheimer's disease

The Journal of Neuroscience has published a study led by researchers at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, the first and only U.S. extension of the prestigious Max Planck Society, that may hold a stunning breakt ...

Alzheimer's disease & dementia created Mar 19, 2013 | popularity 4.9 / 5 (7) | comments 2

Compound that halts growth of malaria parasite created

A drug candidate that has shown promise for neutralizing dangerous bacteria also prevents the parasite that causes malaria from growing, new research by a Yale University team headed by Nobel laureate Sidney Altman shows.

Medical research created Apr 02, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (6) | comments 1 | with audio podcast

Researchers prevent heart failure in mice

(Medical Xpress)—Cardiac stress, for example a heart attack or high blood pressure, frequently leads to pathological heart growth and subsequently to heart failure. Two tiny RNA molecules play a key role ...

Cardiology created Sep 25, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (6) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Researchers describe elusive replication machinery of flu viruses

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute (TSRI) have made a major advance in understanding how flu viruses replicate within infected cells. The researchers used cutting-edge molecular biology and electron-microscopy ...

Medical research created Nov 22, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (6) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Scientists discover master regulator of skin development

The surface of your skin, called the epidermis, is a complex mixture of many different cell types—each with a very specific job. The production, or differentiation, of such a sophisticated tissue requires an immense amount ...

Medical research created Dec 02, 2012 | popularity 5 / 5 (6) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

New study represents major breakthrough in macular degeneration

University of Kentucky researchers, led by Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati, have made an exciting finding in the "dry" form of age-related macular degeneration known as geographic atrophy (GA). GA is an untreatable condition that ...

Medical research created Aug 06, 2012 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (6) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Binding sites for LIN28 protein found in thousands of human genes

A study led by researchers at the UC San Diego Stem Cell Research program and funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine (CIRM) looks at an important RNA binding protein called LIN28, which ...

Genetics created Sep 04, 2012 | popularity 4.3 / 5 (6) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Scientists override errant form of genetic signaling for first time

In a new study published today in the journal Nature, scientists discovered an entirely new way to change the genetic code. The findings, though early, are significant because they may ultimately help researchers alter the co ...

Medical research created Jun 15, 2011 | popularity 5 / 5 (5) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

RNA

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a biologically important type of molecule that consists of a long chain of nucleotide units. Each nucleotide consists of a nitrogenous base, a ribose sugar, and a phosphate. RNA is very similar to DNA, but differs in a few important structural details: in the cell, RNA is usually single-stranded, while DNA is usually double-stranded; RNA nucleotides contain ribose while DNA contains deoxyribose (a type of ribose that lacks one oxygen atom); and RNA has the base uracil rather than thymine that is present in DNA.

RNA is transcribed from DNA by enzymes called RNA polymerases and is generally further processed by other enzymes. RNA is central to the synthesis of proteins. Here, a type of RNA called messenger RNA carries information from DNA to structures called ribosomes. These ribosomes are made from proteins and ribosomal RNAs, which come together to form a molecular machine that can read messenger RNAs and translate the information they carry into proteins. There are many RNAs with other roles – in particular regulating which genes are expressed, but also as the genomes of most viruses.

For more information about RNA, read the full article at Wikipedia.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.

Related topics: dna , genes , protein , gene expression , cells