PUBLIC RELEASE DATE: 6-Oct-2014 Contact: Alex Evilevitch alex.evilevitch@biochemistry.lu.se 412-482-2301 Lund University @lunduniversity Viruses can convert their DNA from solid to fluid form, which explains how viruses manage to eject DNA into the cells of their victims. This has been shown in two new studies carried out by Lund University in Sweden. Both research studies are about the same discovery made for two different viruses, namely that viruses can convert their DNA to liquid form at the moment of infection. Thanks to this conversion, the virus can more easily transfer its DNA into the cells of its victim, which thus become infected. One of the studies investigated the herpes virus, which infects humans. "Our results explain the mechanism behind herpes infection by showing how the DNA of the virus enters the cell", said Alex Evilevitch, a researcher in biochemistry and biophysics at Lund University and Carnegie Mellon University. Evilevitch stated that the discovery was surprising. No one was previously aware of the 'phase transition' from solid to fluid form in virus DNA. The phase transition for the studied herpes virus is temperature-dependent and takes place at 37C, which is a direct adaptation to human body temperature. Evilevitch hopes that the research … Continue reading →

Scientists have taken pictures of the BRCA2 protein for the first time, showing how it works to repair damaged DNA. Mutations in the gene that encodes BRCA2 are well known for raising the risk of breast cancer and other cancers. Although the protein was known to be involved in DNA repair, its shape and mechanism have been unclear, making it impossible to target with therapies. Researchers at Imperial College London and the Cancer Research UK London Research Institute purified the protein and used electron microscopy to reveal its structure and how it interacts with other proteins and DNA. The results are published today in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology. Around one in 1000 people in the UK have a mutation in the BRCA2 gene. The lifetime risk of breast cancer for women with BRCA2 mutations is 40 to 85 per cent, depending on the mutation, compared with around 12 per cent for the general population. Many women who test positive for BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations choose to undergo surgery to reduce their risk of breast cancer. Mutations can also raise the risk of other cancers, such as ovarian, prostate and pancreatic cancer. The BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes encode proteins involved … Continue reading →

LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) - Tom Winchester is to become the head of TV development at DNA TV, DNA's television production arm. Winchester's TV career began at Hat Trick Prods. before joining Tiger Aspect Prods. as drama coordinator. He then worked as script editor at Mammoth Screen Prods. on a range of shows including "Lewis," "Bouquet of Barbed Wire" and "Margot." He oversaw three further series of "Lewis" and developed the hit ITV series "Endeavour." As head of development at Bentley, Tom established a new development slate, working with a diverse selection of writers including Margaret Atwood, Lucy Kirkwood, Jack Lothian and the recent BAFTA and RTS award winners Daniel Fajemisin-Duncan and Marlon Smith. Whilst at Bentley, Tom also oversaw script development for "Midsomer Murders" -- the U.K.'s most popular drama export -- including the 100th episode special. DNA, run by Andrew Macdonald and his producing partner Allon Reich, is one of the U.K.'s most successful film production companies, producing more than 20 films since 2000. Forthcoming releases include Alex Garland's "Ex-Machina" and Thomas Vinterberg's Thomas Hardy classic, "Far From the Madding Crowd." DNA TV is owned and operated as an independent TV production company by Macdonald and Reich, and as … Continue reading →