Genetic News and Research

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Infectious bacteria can produce genetic variants among siblings, study finds

A research team from the University of Tübingen and the German Center for Infection Research is investigating how pathogens influence the immune response of their host with genetic variation.

23 Jul 2020

Simple DNA repeats can be the basis for genetic computers

Dr. Herbert asks what if our genome was far smarter than everyone previously believed? What if in the many DNA repeat elements lay the foundation for building a novel type of biocomputer?

22 Jul 2020

Fusion protein found to effective at treating pulmonary arterial hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is an insidious disease. Symptoms may begin slowly, and even before they appear, extensive damage has caused the obstruction of small arteries leading to increased blood pressure in the lungs.

22 Jul 2020

Novel genetic measure could improve screening for osteoporosis

An international team of scientists has developed a novel genetic measure that could dramatically improve how doctors assess the risk of sustaining a fracture due to osteoporosis or fragility.

22 Jul 2020

Study explores the genetic and molecular basis of PD-L2 regulation

In immune-related disorders, therapy often involves identifying the molecules responsible for immune dysregulation and targeting them using drugs.

22 Jul 2020

Silver-plated gold nanostars could be used to detect early cancer biomarkers

Biomedical engineers at Duke University have engineered a method for simultaneously detecting the presence of multiple specific microRNAs in RNA extracted from tissue samples without the need for labeling or target amplification.

22 Jul 2020

Chronic inflammation disrupts tissue structure of the colon, study finds

In a new study, researchers have compared diseased colon with healthy tissue to better understand how inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancers, at a molecular level.

22 Jul 2020

Researchers image the formation of four-stranded DNA in living human cells

The development of four-stranded DNA has been monitored in the living cells of human beings, enabling researchers to observe its potential role in cancer.

21 Jul 2020

Genes and cardiovascular health contribute to a person's dementia risk

Genes and cardiovascular health each contribute in an additive way to a person's risk of dementia, U.S. researchers including Sudha Seshadri, MD, and Claudia Satizabal, PhD, of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) reported July 20 in the journal Neurology.

21 Jul 2020

Protein composition of milk affects coagulation and consequently cheese yield, study shows

Cheese production relies on coagulation of milk proteins into a gel matrix after addition of rennet. Milk that does not coagulate (NC) under optimal conditions affects the manufacturing process, requiring a longer processing time and lowering the cheese yield, which, in turn, has economic impact.

21 Jul 2020

Advanced cryo-EM reveals stunning details of viral RNA replication complex structure

For the first time, scientists at the Morgridge Institute for Research have generated near atomic resolution images of a major viral protein complex responsible for replicating the RNA genome of a member of the positive-strand RNA viruses, the large class of viruses that includes coronaviruses and many other pathogens.

21 Jul 2020

Researchers estimate the cost-effectiveness and health impact of BRCA testing

Screening entire populations for breast and ovarian cancer gene mutations could prevent millions more breast and ovarian cancer cases across the world compared to current clinical practice, according to an international study led by Queen Mary University of London.

20 Jul 2020

Type 1 interferon deficiency in the blood could be a hallmark of severe COVID-19

Approximately 5% of people with Covid-19 progress to a severe or critical form, including the development of severe pneumonia that progresses to acute respiratory distress syndrome.

20 Jul 2020

Yale researchers uncover mechanism driving Wolfram Syndrome

Yale pharmacology professor Barbara Ehrlich and her team have uncovered a mechanism driving a rare, lethal disease called Wolfram Syndrome and also a potential treatment.

20 Jul 2020

Researchers construct “DNA droplets” that exhibit dynamic functions

DNA is considered the storage unit of all genetic data in living organisms.

20 Jul 2020

Study shows how proteins prevent DNA replication errors

Two rereading proteins on the DNA assembly line collectively work as an emergency stop button to inhibit replication errors.

20 Jul 2020

Genetic sequencing can reveal evolutionary differences in reef-building corals

Globally, the rising water temperatures caused by pollution and global warming have impacted the coral reefs that are dwindling at an alarming speed.

20 Jul 2020

Study: High levels of iron in the blood can prevent age-related damage

Genes linked to ageing that could help explain why some people age at different rates to others has been identified by scientists.

17 Jul 2020

Hypercompact CRISPR enzyme from bacteriophages expands genome editing toolbox

A recently discovered hypercompact CRISPR enzyme found only in huge bacteriophages, and known as CRISPR-CasΦ, is functional, a new study by Patrick Pausch, Jennifer Doudna and colleagues reports, and it provides a powerful new tool in the CRISPR genome editing toolbox, including because it can target a wider range of genetic sequences compared to Cas9 and Cas12

17 Jul 2020

Study shows how cells respond to nutrient deprivation

The idea of the cell as a city is a common introduction to biology, conjuring depictions of the cell's organelles as power plants, factories, roads, libraries, warehouses and more.

From Harvard Medical School 17 Jul 2020