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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.

Comparative Genomics Identifies a Novel Gene Involved in Spider Patterning

An ancient gene is crucial for the development of the distinctive waist that divides the spider body plan in two, according to a study publishing August 29th in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Emily Setton from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, US, and colleagues.

30 Aug 2024

The Molecular Process That Causes MS and Autoimmune Diseases

A human immune system suppressor known as “regulatory T cells” was first identified more than 20 years ago by a research team working in the lab of Yale researcher David Hafler, who was at Harvard at the time.

29 Aug 2024

Evolution of Blood Sugar Regulation in Neotropical Bats

Humans must regulate blood sugar concentrations to stay healthy and to fuel our cells. Too little or too much can cause serious health complications, and high blood sugar is a hallmark of the metabolic condition, diabetes. New research from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research may enable potential solutions to metabolic disease by turning to evolution and to bats.

29 Aug 2024

Bifidobacterium in Maternal Gut Found to Alter Fetal Brain Growth

Bifidobacterium breve supplementation in pregnant mice alters fetal brain metabolism, highlighting its role in enhancing gestational health and development.

29 Aug 2024

Illuminating Plant Defense Mechanisms Through Light-Activated Ion Channels

When it comes to survival, plants have a huge disadvantage compared to many other living organisms: they cannot simply change their location if predators or pathogens attack them or the environmental conditions change to their disadvantage.

29 Aug 2024

Bacterial Cells Pass on Non-Genetic Traits Across Generations

Bacterial cells can "remember" brief, temporary changes to their bodies and immediate surroundings, a new Northwestern University and University of Texas-Southwestern study has found.

29 Aug 2024

The Influence of 'Silent' Mutations on Genetic Disorders

Genetic disorders -; like cystic fibrosis and Huntington's disease -; are considered incurable, with gene mutations occurring in essentially every cell of the body.

29 Aug 2024

Clock Genes Drive Evolutionary Split in Two Moth Species

Investigating moth speciation, this research highlights the impact of clock genes on behavior, providing a rare glimpse into evolutionary processes.

28 Aug 2024

Stem Cell Research Sheds Light on Rare Pediatric Condition

Scientists have identified mutations in the DENND5A gene that cause severe neurodevelopmental issues in infants, leading to improper brain cell division during development.

28 Aug 2024

RNA Interference Drugs Offer Faster, More Effective Alternative to Traditional Drug Discovery

Alnylam's RNA interference platform accelerates drug discovery by targeting RNA transcripts, addressing complex diseases with innovative therapeutic strategies.

28 Aug 2024

CDCA7's Role in DNA Methylation Maintenance Revealed in Recent Study

DNA methylation is a process in which a methyl group is attached to the cytosine base of the DNA molecule, and a major way that DNA is epigenetically marked. Epigenetic modifications can act as on-off switches to regulate gene expression and help generate diverse cell types without changing the underlying DNA sequence. It is how the body ensures that brain-related genes don't get turned on in heart cells, for example.

28 Aug 2024

High-Resolution Structures Illuminate the Chloroplast Protein Import Machinery in Plants

Two groundbreaking studies published in the journal Cell shed light on the assembly, function and evolutionary diversity of the chloroplast protein import system.

28 Aug 2024

A Breakthrough in RNA Therapy for Heart and Nervous System Diseases

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed new techniques to sculpt RNA molecules into circles that may result in more potent and long-lasting treatments.

27 Aug 2024

Innovative Stem Cell Research Unveils Glial Cell Dynamics in Multiple Sclerosis

Researchers from The New York Stem Cell Foundation (NYSCF) Research Institute and Case Western Reserve University have discovered novel ways in which glia, by using the largest known collection of stem cell models from MS patients, essential brain support cells contribute to the disease.

27 Aug 2024

Nile Grass Rats Become New Model for CRISPR Genome Editing

A team of researchers at Michigan State University has discovered a set of methods that enabled the first successful CRISPR-based genome editing in Nile grass rats.

27 Aug 2024

Rare CCDC201 Genotype Significantly Affects Menopause Onset in Women

Scientists at deCODE genetics and collaborators, have identified a sequence variant in the CCDC201 gene that when inherited from both parents homozygous causes menopause on average nine years earlier.

27 Aug 2024

Engineering Purple Bacteria for Enhanced Bioplastic Synthesis

In a world overrun by petroleum-based plastics, scientists are searching for alternatives that are more sustainable, more biodegradable and far less toxic to the environment.

27 Aug 2024

Cryo-EM Reveals CDCA7's Hemimethylation Sensing in Nucleosome Core Particles

DNA methylation, a process by which methyl groups are added to DNA molecules, is essential for the maintenance of DNA and the overall health of an organism. Disruptions in the standard DNA methylation patterns can lead to immunodeficiency and diseases such as cancer.

27 Aug 2024

New Human Intestinal Immuno-Organoids Reveal Insights into Immune Cell Dynamics and Cancer Immunotherapy

Research on intestinal immuno-organoids reveals their potential in modeling immune interactions and studying intestinal diseases linked to cancer therapies.

26 Aug 2024

Clinical Trials Supported by Genetics Show Higher Success Rates

Analyzing 28,561 discontinued trials, the study reveals safety and efficacy concerns as major discontinuation factors, with genetics playing a crucial role.

23 Aug 2024