'Junk' DNA breakthrough by cancer researchers
RESEARCHERS have discovered a new driving force behind cancer growth.
A study by Leeds University and scientists in Berlin has identified how "junk" DNA promotes the growth of cancer cells in Hodgkin's lymphoma.
Professor Constanze Bonifer suspects these pieces of DNA, called "long terminal repeats" (LTRs), can play a role in other forms of cancer, according to the study, published in Nature Medicine.
LTRs are genetic material that has accumulated in the human genome over millions of years. Although they originate from viruses and are potentially harmful, they are usually made inactive when embryos are developing in the womb.
The researchers found the process by which this "junk" DNA is made active, promoting cancer growth.
Prof Bonifer said: "This would have implications for diagnosis, prognosis and therapy of these diseases."
Email to a friend
Print this page- Family mourn death of Glasgow ‘fight’ schoolboy
- Rangers takeover: Duff & Phelps threaten legal action against BBC
- Today’s youth not fit to be employed, says car firm Arnold Clark
- Rangers administration: Fans fear Duff & Phelps claims could scare off Green
- Rangers takeover: triple penalty punishment enough, says Johnston
- Alistair Darling leads ‘No to independence’ fight over tea and biscuits
- Scottish independence: SNP flip-flops over Nato
- Scottish Independence: SNP ‘won’t be Yes campaign’s only voice’
- Scottish independence: Alex Salmond’s pledge to sign up 1m voters
- Today’s youth not fit to be employed, says car firm Arnold Clark
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Edinburgh
Sunday 27 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North east
