Nucleic acid

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A nucleic acid is a macromolecule composed of chains of monomeric nucleotides. In biochemistry these molecules carry genetic information or form structures within cells. The most common nucleic acids are deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and ribonucleic acid (RNA). Nucleic acids are universal in living things, as they are found in all cells and viruses. Nucleic acids were first discovered by Friedrich Miescher in 1871.

Artificial nucleic acids include peptide nucleic acid (PNA), Morpholino and locked nucleic acid (LNA), as well as glycol nucleic acid (GNA) and threose nucleic acid (TNA). Each of these is distinguished from naturally-occurring DNA or RNA by changes to the backbone of the molecule.

For more information about Nucleic acid, read the full article at Wikipedia.
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News tagged with nucleic acids


Researchers design a tool to induce controlled suicide in human cells

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created Dec 17, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

When cells accumulate excessive errors in the proteins they produce, apoptosis is activated, that is to say, a cell suicide programme; however, beforehand the cells attempt to rectify the problem through a number of rescue ...





Search results for nucleic acids


Prussian blue linked to the origin of life

Prussian blue linked to the origin of life

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created Dec 14, 2009 | popularity 4.7 / 5 (6) | comments 0

A team of researchers from the Astrobiology Centre (INTA-CSIC) has shown that hydrogen cyanide, urea and other substances considered essential to the formation of the most basic biological molecules can be ...


Targeting brain cancer cell metabolism may provide new treatment

Medicine & Health / Cancer

created Dec 15, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Inhibiting fatty acid synthesis in brain cancer cells may offer a new option to treat about 50 percent of deadly glioblastomas that are driven by amplified signaling of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), according ...


New study links DHA type of omega-3 to better nervous-system function

Medicine & Health / Neuroscience

created Dec 16, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

The omega-3 essential fatty acids commonly found in fatty fish and algae help animals avoid sensory overload, according to research published by the American Psychological Association. The finding connects low omega-3s to ...


Drug for Alzheimer's disease does not appear to slow cognitive decline

Medicine & Health / Medications

created Dec 15, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Although there were promising results in a phase 2 trial, patients with mild Alzheimer disease who received the drug tarenflurbil as part of a phase 3 trial did not have better outcomes on measures of cognitive decline or ...


How water forms where Earth-like planets are born

Space & Earth / Astronomy

created Dec 17, 2009 | popularity 4.9 / 5 (9) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- In a study that helps to explain the origins of water on Earth, University of Michigan astronomers have found that water vapor can form spontaneously in habitable zones of solar systems, and that it develops ...


Added sugar in raisin cereals increases acidity of dental plaque

Medicine & Health / Health

created Dec 18, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Elevated dental plaque acid is a risk factor that contributes to cavities in children. But eating bran flakes with raisins containing no added sugar does not promote more acid in dental plaque than bran flakes alone, according ...


Regular coffee, decaf and tea all associated with reduced risk for diabetes

Medicine & Health / Health

created Dec 14, 2009 | popularity 4 / 5 (2) | comments 2

Individuals who drink more coffee (regular or decaffeinated) or tea appear to have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes, according to an analysis of previous studies reported in the December 14/28 issue of Archives of ...


Muscling in on a mystery protein: Study of brawny pigs reveals key player in the genome

Muscling in on a mystery protein: Study of brawny pigs reveals key player in the genome

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Dec 15, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- For thousands of years, humans have bred pigs for desirable traits, such as more muscle and less fat in the meat. Domestication makes animals ideal models for studying how genes control physical ...



List of search results for nucleic acids