Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 16, 2026
08:25
Detection of Cell-Free DNA in Blood Plasma Samples of Cancer Patients
Published on: September 9, 2020
Circulating nucleic acids in cancer and pregnancy
Pamela Pinzani1, Francesca Salvianti, Mario Pazzagli
1Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Florence and Istituto Toscano Tumori, Viale Pieraccini 6, 50139 Florence, Italy. ppinzani@gmail.com
Methods (San Diego, Calif.)
|February 12, 2010
Summary
Circulating nucleic acids in blood show promise as biomarkers for diseases like cancer. This review covers their characteristics, origins, and detection methods, highlighting their role in cell communication.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Cell-free nucleic acids are found in vertebrate blood.
- Significant research over the past decade focuses on plasma/serum nucleic acids as potential disease biomarkers.
- These molecules are implicated in intercellular communication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize key findings on circulating nucleic acids.
- To review hypotheses regarding their origin.
- To discuss methodological considerations for sample handling and analysis.
- To explore their role in intercellular genetic exchange.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of recent findings.
- Summary of characteristics of circulating nucleic acids.
- Review of origin hypotheses.
- Discussion of sample collection, extraction, and assay methodologies.
- Review of studies on intercellular genetic information exchange.
Main Results:
- Circulating nucleic acids possess distinct characteristics.
- Various hypotheses exist regarding their origin.
- Methodologies for sample collection, extraction, and assay are crucial for reliable results.
- These nucleic acids play a role in intercellular communication.
Conclusions:
- Circulating nucleic acids are important biological molecules with potential as biomarkers.
- Understanding their origin and detection is key to clinical application.
- Their role in intercellular genetic exchange warrants further investigation.
Related Concept Videos
02:55The Nucleolus
The nucleolus is the most prominent substructure of the nucleus. When it was first discovered, it was considered to be an isolated organelle that forms fibrils and granules. In 1931, the relationship between the nucleolus and chromosomes was first described by Heitz. He observed that the appearance and size of nucleolus varies depending on the stage of the cell cycle. He also noticed constricted regions on different chromosomes clustered together at definite cell cycle stages. These regions,...
01:51Mechanisms of Retrovirus-induced Cancers
Retroviruses are RNA viruses that have been shown to cause cancers in diverse species, including chickens, mice, cats, and monkeys. The RNA genomes of these viruses are first reverse-transcribed into single and then double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) copies. This dsDNA called proviral DNA then integrates into the host genome. Subsequently, the host cell transcribes the proviral DNA in concert with the chromosomal DNA. This leads to the production of viral RNA and proteins that assemble at the host...
02:21Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell
Cancer arises from mutations in the critical genes that allow healthy cells to escape cell cycle regulation and acquire the ability to proliferate indefinitely. Though originating from a single mutation event in one of the originator cells, cancer progresses when the mutant cell lines continue to gain more and more mutations, and finally, become malignant. For example, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) develops initially as a non-lethal increase in white blood cells, which progressively...