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A gene is a unit of heredity in a living organism. It normally resides on a stretch of DNA that codes for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. All living things depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains.

Two enzymes drive pre-cancer stem cells into malignancy

Since stem cells can continually self-regenerate, making more stem cells, and differentiate into many different specialized cell types, they play an important role in our development and health.

From UC San Diego 27 Jan 2021

New variant of CRISPR-Cas9 tool expands genomic editing in plants

For the first time, Yiping Qi has represented the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources on the Web of Science 2020 list of Highly Cited Researchers.

26 Jan 2021

Pioneer transcription factors help turn on key genes that give cells unique properties

Biologists have long wondered how complex organisms contain a variety of dramatically different types of cells with specialized functions, even though all of those cells are genetically identical.

25 Jan 2021

Study reveals complete genome of major parasitic flowering plant

On January 22 in Current Biology, a team of Harvard-led researchers presented the most complete genome yet assembled of one of the major Rafflesiaceae lineages, Sapria himalayana.

25 Jan 2021

Study shows major differences in mild versus severe COVID-19 infection

These days, a crucial question on people’s minds is how long does SARS-CoV-2 immunity last after infection?

22 Jan 2021

Caffeinated coffee helps to minimize reductions in attention and cognitive function

A new study exploring the impact of repeated sleep loss during a simulated working week has found that consuming caffeinated coffee during the day helps to minimize reductions in attention and cognitive function, compared to decaffeinated coffee.

22 Jan 2021

Study defines the most crucial genes that Increase risk of breast cancer

Genetic inheritance affects the likelihood of developing breast cancer. Some genes are already known to increase cancer risk; other genes are suspected to be involved, but not to what extent. It is crucial to clarify this issue to improve prevention since it opens the way to more personalized follow-up and screening programs.

22 Jan 2021

Venom of Tiger Rattlesnakes may advance genetic science

Among all rattlesnake species, the Tiger Rattlesnake has the simplest yet most lethal venom. Now, a new study performed by a team of researchers can describe the genetics behind the venomous bite of the Tiger Rattlesnake.

21 Jan 2021

Antibiotic resistance may be spreading much faster than expected

Pathogenic bacteria in humans are developing resistance to antibiotics much faster than expected. Now, computational research at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, shows that one reason could be significant genetic transfer between bacteria in our ecosystems and to humans. This work has also led to new tools for resistance researchers.

21 Jan 2021

Investigational antisense medicine lowers disease burden, reduces myeloma cell abundance in mice

Many patients with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer, eventually develop resistance to one treatment after another. That's in part because cancer stem cells drive the disease -- cells that continually self-renew. If a therapy can't completely destroy these malignant stem cells, the cancer is likely to keep coming back.

From UC San Diego 21 Jan 2021

Researchers discover genetic risk factor for stroke

A research team from Geisinger Health System has detected a common genetic variant as a risk factor for stroke, particularly in patients aged more than 65.

20 Jan 2021

Study reveals genetic variants that increase the risk of nocturnal enuresis

In a large-scale study of Danish children and young people, researchers from Aarhus University have for the first time found genetic variants that increase the risk of nocturnal enuresis - commonly known as bedwetting or nighttime incontinence. The findings provide completely new insights into the processes in the body causing this widespread phenomenon.

20 Jan 2021

Researchers define cancer invasion machinery orchestrated by cancer gene

Researchers at the University of Helsinki have defined a cancer invasion machinery, which is orchestrated by a frequently mutated cancer gene called Ras. When signaling from Ras protein becomes abnormally high, like it does in many cancers, this switches on the cellular machinery that helps the cancer cells to depart from the tissue from which the cells have developed.

20 Jan 2021

New computational technique accurately differentiates between normal and cancer cells

Scientists have created a new method to precisely differentiate between data from a wide range of normal cells and cancer cells found inside tumor samples.

19 Jan 2021

New genome resource helps study genetic traits in major crops

Thanks to a new genome resource created for green millet, researchers will be able to study the genetics of crucial traits in crops, like sorghum and maize, in a much better way. The resource was created by three RIKEN scientists.

18 Jan 2021

Gene therapy helps paralyzed mice to walk again

For the first time, scientists have successfully used gene therapy to make mice walk again after these animals suffered a complete cross-sectional injury.

18 Jan 2021

Study shows how specific gene mutations cause different types of diseases

Renowned cancer experts have resolved a query of how different types of mutations in a single gene are responsible for causing various types of diseases.

15 Jan 2021

Study identifies gene networks that control sugar and organic acid metabolism during fruit development

The watermelon and melon cultivation project by researchers achieved a new advancement in controlling the metabolism of sugar in watermelon fruit.

15 Jan 2021

Speciation process takes place in the presence of maximal gene flow, indicates study

Spatial isolation is known to promote speciation - but researchers at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitaet (LMU) in Munich have now shown that, at least in yeast, the opposite is also true. New ecological variants can also evolve within thoroughly mixed populations.

15 Jan 2021

New model could optimize strategies to cure HIV

According to a study, researchers have established the optimal conditions after a stem cell transplant that could regulate HIV without having to use a daily pill.

13 Jan 2021