Genetics and Genomics News and Research

Latest Genetics and Genomics News and Research

Viruses buried in marsupials' DNA may help protect against future infections

Fossils of ancient viruses are preserved in the genomes of all animals, including humans, and have long been regarded as junk DNA. But are they truly junk, or do they actually serve a useful purpose?

From The University of New South Wales (UNSW) 9 Sep 2021

Large herbivores can form a nature-based solution to reduce wildfire risks

In many parts of the world, socio-economic drivers are causing large-scale land abandonment. Nomadic practices and pastoralism are decreasing worldwide as well.

9 Sep 2021

Functional genomics can assist in molecular breeding of maize, finds study

For centuries, the vast physical diversity of maize, the most popular cereal grain crop globally, has fascinated biologists and plant breeders alike.

9 Sep 2021

Study imparts mechanistic understanding on early stages of human cancer

Scientists demonstrated that normal human fibroblast cells can be converted to specific cancer cells through factors that are identified in actual human patients.

9 Sep 2021

Study unearths previously unknown role of CTCF, the transcription regulator

Researchers discovered evidence that CTCF governs chromatin accessibility, the mechanism of opening tightly spooled DNA facilitating gene expression.

9 Sep 2021

Bacteria-derived curli amyloid fibril promotes neurodegeneration in the host

Increasing evidence points to the fact that gut microbiota performs a vital role in regulating the advancement of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s.

9 Sep 2021

Climate change plus weeds could significantly reduce corn yield

By the end of the century, scientists expect climate change to reduce corn yield significantly, with some estimating losses up to 28%.

8 Sep 2021

Exploring more about sesame seed cultivation

Sesame is one of the most versatile crops. Sesame seeds are a reservoir of healthy fats and protein. The oil extracted from sesame seeds is a premium cooking oil.

8 Sep 2021

Stem cell transplantation leaves no scars in the DNA of transplanted cells

Stem cell transplants do not lead to changes in the DNA of the donor cells. That's according to a new study, which provides important evidence for the safety of this procedure.

8 Sep 2021

New framework to evaluate the risks of antibiotic resistance genes

Scientists have created a useful framework to assess the risks of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs).

8 Sep 2021

Study details replication and immune evasion of Delta SARS-CoV-2 variant

According to scientists, the Delta variant of SARS-CoV-2 has likely spread through its capability to avoid neutralizing antibodies and its heightened infectivity.

8 Sep 2021

Polygenic risk scores are no better in predicting disease, says study

Scientists went through the records of more than 8,000 schizophrenia patients and identified a tool used for assessing an individual’s genetic risk for a disease.

8 Sep 2021

Researchers reveal how aspen forests change genetic structure to adapt to changing environments

Watching paint dry has nothing on watching a forest grow. That achingly long wait has always made it challenging to study how forests adapt to environmental fluctuations -; making it that much harder to predict how they'll fare in a changing climate or under new pest pressures.

7 Sep 2021

Researchers discover underlying metabolic changes that may be pivotal in severe COVID-19

COVID-19 patients have differing immune responses that lead to disease outcomes ranging from asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection to death.

7 Sep 2021

Study explores the efficiency of CasMINI, an engineered CRISPR-Cas system

A compact CRISPR-Cas system, known as CasMINI, can be employed for gene-therapy and cell-engineering applications as it is easier to deliver into cells.

7 Sep 2021

Study suggests a simple mechanism could underlie the self-replication of protocells

Recent research suggests that a simple process could underlie the growth and self-replication of protocells—putative ancestors of modern living cells.

7 Sep 2021

Drug-resistant Salmonella serovar Enteritidis genome sequenced by experts

Scientists sequenced the genome of a virulent Salmonella Enteritidis strain and discovered that it was both antibiotic-resistant and could affect people.

7 Sep 2021

Study provides deep insights into the association between genes and diseases

Scientists examined genomic data from more than 30,000 individuals and unraveled thousands of new regulatory regions that regulate disease-linked genes.

7 Sep 2021

Researchers discover the role of a retrotransposon in horizontal memory transfer in roundworms

When an organism encounters a threat in its environment, it is to the species' advantage to warn others of the peril.

6 Sep 2021

Gut bacteria may play a key role in neurological damage of premature infants

Extremely premature infants are at a high risk for brain damage. Researchers at the University of Vienna and the Medical University of Vienna have now found possible targets for the early treatment of such damage outside the brain: Bacteria in the gut of premature infants may play a key role.

6 Sep 2021