Genetics News and Research

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Genetics is the study of genes and heredity. Heredity is the passing of genetic information and traits (such as eye color and an increased chance of getting a certain disease) from parents to offspring.

Key genes driving cleft lip and palate identified

A research group headed by the University of Iowa recognized three genes that, when deleted, produce cleft lip or palate, a facial abnormality that affects around one in every 1,600 babies in the United States, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

13 Jan 2023

New molecular profile of endometriosis to help improve therapeutic options

At Cedars-Sinai, a special and elaborate molecular profile of endometriosis has been engineered by investigators to help enhance therapeutic options for the millions of women suffering from the disease.

11 Jan 2023

Chilling tolerance trait in rice with the codon repeats at a single site

A recent study performed by Professor Chong Kang’s group from the Institute of Botany of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has disclosed a fact that a novel cold domesticated repair mechanism for DNA damage in rice.

11 Jan 2023

Broccoli heads can resemble cauliflower when grown in higher temperatures

As seasoned gardeners know, broccoli heads don't develop properly and can resemble cauliflower when grown in higher temperatures.

10 Jan 2023

What are the implications of microbiome-directed measures to treat type 2 diabetes?

According to preliminary findings from an ongoing, prospective study headed by Cedars-Sinai researchers, one type of bacteria seen in the gut might contribute to the development of Type 2 diabetes, while another might guard against the condition.

5 Jan 2023

First-ever chromosome-level genome sequences completed for sharks

The first chromosome level genome sequences for great hammerhead and shortfin mako sharks have shown that both species have experienced major population declines over a 250,000-year history.

5 Jan 2023

Key immune alarm protein that regulates inflammation identified

Trinity researchers have made a significant advance in understanding how inflammation is controlled. They recently discovered that a crucial immunological alarm protein that was previously thought to quiet the immune response apparently performs the opposite.

20 Dec 2022

Genetic cause behind novel DEE syndrome discovered

Autism and epilepsy are two highly prevalent conditions that fall under the umbrella of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD), which affect 1–3% of the world’s population just in terms of cognitive disabilities.

20 Dec 2022

Analysis of genetic factors contributing to cleft lip and palate

Cleft lip and palate, which are mainly caused by genetic reasons, are two of the most common congenital malformations. It is still unknown which genes are exactly affected.

19 Dec 2022

Simple inexpensive test determines the genetic susceptibility to PML

Four genetic mutations have been linked to progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a rare but sometimes fatal brain infection that can be provoked by dozens of FDA-approved drugs.

16 Dec 2022

Analyzing progenitor fate and dynamics long after embryonic development

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers, they have devised a computer model called quantitative fate mapping that looks back in time to track the origin of cells in a fully grown organism.

14 Dec 2022

Scientists identify the long-sought CO2 sensor in Arabidopsis plants

More than 50 years, ago researchers discovered that plants can sense carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations. As CO2 levels change, "breathing" pores in leaves called stomata open and close, thus controlling evaporation of water, photosynthesis and plant growth.

8 Dec 2022

Small fluorescent protein helps researchers to capture deeper, more precise biomedical images

Biomedical and genetic engineers at Duke University and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine have designed a small fluorescent protein that emits and absorbs light that penetrates deep into biological tissue.

7 Dec 2022

The link between tandem repeats and development of Schizophrenia

Each human cell is distinct because it is written in the DNA language.

1 Dec 2022

Fastest-evolved regions of the human genome diverged rapidly after split from chimpanzee ancestor

A team of Duke researchers has identified a group of human DNA sequences driving changes in brain development, digestion and immunity that seem to have evolved rapidly after our family line split from that of the chimpanzees, but before we split with the Neanderthals.

24 Nov 2022

3D “mini eyes” provide insight into genetically induced blindness

The development of “mini eyes” by researchers at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (UCL GOS ICH) has made it possible to study and comprehend the onset of blindness in the rare genetic disease known as Usher syndrome more.

From University College London 22 Nov 2022

Genetics and extensive schooling likely cause nearsightedness in children

Researchers have discovered five genetic variations that, the longer a person attends school, increase their risk of developing nearsightedness. These results were published on November 17th, 2022 in the open-access journal PLOS Genetics by a team at Cardiff University in the United Kingdom, led by Jeremy Guggenheim.

21 Nov 2022

A gene’s function in embryonic development

An international study led by the medical school at the University of Bonn has discovered a gene that is crucial to the growth of the human embryo. Abnormalities of different organ systems may occur if it is changed.

16 Nov 2022

New guidelines for genomic consent benefit patients and researchers

How can Canada maximize the benefits of human genomic sequencing to deepen knowledge of disease? For researchers and decision-makers in this expanding field, new guidance published in CMAJ (Canadian Medical Association Journal) establishes the essential components for obtaining patient consent.

16 Nov 2022

Investigating the direct effect of mutation on sperm behavior

A team of researchers discovered that the activity of sperm cells is attributable in part to the individual DNA make-up of these cells, rather than just male genetics.

From New York University (NYU) 16 Nov 2022