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.
This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.


News tagged with nucleic acids


Drug kills cells through novel mechanism

Drug kills cells through novel mechanism

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Dec 10, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

MIT and Boston University researchers have discovered that the drug hydroxyurea kills bacteria by inducing them to produce molecules toxic to themselves — a conclusion that raises the possibility of finding ...


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


Fish fatty acids don’t make you cleverer or happier

Medicine & Health / Health

created Dec 22, 2009 | popularity 3.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- A diet rich in fish fatty acids has no effect on cognitive functions such as memory and concentration in the elderly. Nor does it affect their level of wellbeing. This is the conclusion drawn by Dutch researcher ...


Omega-3 fatty acids may reduce risk of colon cancer

Medicine & Health / Cancer

created Dec 08, 2009 | popularity 4 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Long-chain omega-3 fatty acids, primarily found in fish and seafood, may have a role in colorectal cancer prevention, according to results presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Frontiers in Cancer Prevention ...


Roe of marine animals is best natural source of omega-3

Roe of marine animals is best natural source of omega-3

Medicine & Health / Health

created Dec 11, 2009 | popularity 4 / 5 (3) | comments 1

The roe of hake, lumpsucker and salmon is the best dietary source of Omega 3, according to a study carried out by researchers at the University of Almería (UAL). The scientists analysed the eggs, or ...


Understanding relationship of proteins, fatty acids could help treat diseases

Understanding relationship of proteins, fatty acids could help treat diseases

Chemistry / Biochemistry

created Dec 22, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

(PhysOrg.com) -- It's widely understood that eating a diet high in saturated fats increases the risk for a long list of chronic and deadly diseases, including diabetes and coronary heart disease. Understanding ...


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 ...


Subtle change dramatically reduces pathogenic potential of Huntington's protein

Medicine & Health / Research

created Dec 23, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Scientists have identified a key molecular switch that may drive the onset of Huntington's disease (HD), an incurable neurodegenerative disorder that leads to severe disruptions in muscle coordination and cognitive function. ...


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 ...


Balancing protein intake, not cutting calories, may be key to long life

Balancing protein intake, not cutting calories, may be key to long life

Medicine & Health / Research

created Dec 02, 2009 | popularity 4.8 / 5 (18) | comments 5

Getting the correct balance of proteins in our diet may be more important for healthy ageing than reducing calories, new research funded by the Wellcome Trust and Research into Ageing suggests.


Researchers uncover chemical basis for extra 'quality control' in protein production

Biology / Cell & Microbiology

created Dec 09, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

December 9, 2009 -Even small errors made by cells during protein production can have profound disease effects, and nature has developed ways to uncover these mistakes and correct them. Though in the case of one essential ...



List of search results for nucleic acids