New UC Davis Research Using DNA Changes Origin of Human Species

In testing the genetic material of current populations in Africa and comparing against existing fossil evidence of early Homo sapiens populations there, researchers have uncovered a new model of human evolution — overturning previous beliefs that a single African population gave rise to all humans. The new research was published today, May 17, in the journal Nature.

UC Davis to offer mobile mammograms for underserved communities

From the Davis Enterprise; Story by Caleb Hampton

The UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is set to launch two new initiatives next year to improve breast health and early cancer detection in underserved women in rural communities, UC Davis Health announced Thursday. The new tools for early cancer detention will include a “mammovan” and free genetic testing.

Interplay between DNA sequence and negative superhelicity drives R-loop structures

IGG students Robert Stolz and Maika Malig, published groundbreaking work describing the first modeling of so-called R-loop structures, the most abundant non-B DNA structures in mammalian genomes. Using a “first-principle” mathematical approach backed by experimental validation, the group from the Chedin and Benham labs at UC Davis elucidated the relative contributions of DNA sequence and DNA topology to R-loop formation.

Discovering Curiosity: Building Mini-Organs to Fight Pancreatic Cancer with New Faculty Chang-il Hwang

When a healthy cell turns cancerous a cascade of events enables the cancer to spread throughout the body. But its origin lies within a single progenitor cell.

“What goes wrong with that particular cell?” asked Assistant Professor Chang-il Hwang, Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. “Something happens at the molecular level. One DNA molecule, or one protein molecule changes.”

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