Current Progress in Nucleic Acids Research

Nucleic acids are large biomolecules that are necessary for all life forms including humans, animals and microorganisms. They are composed of a sugar molecule, nitrogen-containing base, and phosphate groups. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) are the two primary types of nucleic acids. Each kind of nucleic acid has a unique structure and performs different functions in the cells. Nucleic acids play an important role in the storage and expression of genomic data. Cell-free nucleic acids (cfNAs) are a mixture of small segments of DNA and RNA present in biological fluids such as blood, saliva and urine. The cfNAs have the potential to act as valuable biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of several diseases including autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. They can also be used for prenatal diagnosis of genetic diseases. This book provides comprehensive insights into the current progress in nucleic acids research. A number of latest researches have been included to keep the readers updated with the latest concepts in this area of study.