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Study finds evidence to strongly implicate OAS1 as an effector gene influencing COVID-19 severity

Researchers demonstrated that this splice variant is likely to be the single nucleotide polymorphism responsible for the association at this locus.

17 Jan 2022

Virus-like particles as delivery vehicles for gene-editing

Scientists deliver gene-editing proteins through the use of engineered virus-like particles, which mediated efficient base editing both in vitro and in vivo.

13 Jan 2022

Study reveals how the brain’s blue spot shapes selective attention

How can we shift from a state of inattentiveness to one of highest attention? The locus coeruleus, literally the "blue spot," is a tiny cluster of cells at the base of the brain.

7 Jan 2022

Scientists discover a division of labor between genetic switches

Two X chromosomes are actually one too many. Female mammalian cells hence switch off one of them – but only when the cells start to specialize into tissues.

5 Jan 2022

Novel insight into the immune characteristics of bats

Many studies have indicated that bats are significant reservoirs of innumerable viruses, such as influenza, coronaviruses, and rabies. These studies have also reported that bats predominantly remain asymptomatic or develop mild diseases during viral infections caused by henipaviruses, Ebola virus, coronaviruses, etc.

4 Jan 2022

Research provides compelling insights into the complex nature of genomic imprinting in mice

Mammalian offspring inherit two versions, or alleles, of each gene with one allele from each biological parent. However, gene expression is tightly regulated and certain genes undergo the phenomenon of "genomic imprinting", which is where only the allele received by the male or the female parent is expressed.

4 Jan 2022

Allele-specific RT-qPCR assay to identify SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in wastewater

Researchers develop a new allele-specific RT-qPCR to detect the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in wastewater.

23 Dec 2021

Study points toward an alternative drug strategy to stall Alzheimer’s neurodegeneration

Boosting levels of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine with atomoxetine, a repurposed ADHD medication, may be able to stall neurodegeneration in people with early signs of Alzheimer's disease, a study conducted at Emory Brain Health Center suggests.

22 Dec 2021

Correlation between idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and COVID-19

A new study investigates the genetic overlap between COVID-19 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis to identify possible shared biological mechanisms.

14 Dec 2021

Phenome study reveals alternate associations with SARS-CoV-2 risk loci

Researchers from the Duke Molecular Physiology Institute have been investigating genetic associations with more severe disease and examining the associations that certain genetic features have with other diseases.

13 Dec 2021

Nasal infection drives lethal lung injury due to SARS-CoV-2 in mice

A new study demonstrates lethal infection of the olfactory epithelium in a mouse model that could help understand the mechanisms of COVID-19.

12 Dec 2021

Novel method enables deeper analysis of endocrine disrupting chemicals' impact on gene expression

When something disrupts hormone binding to the receptor, such as environmental compounds or pollutants, called endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), the results can be harmful and, in some cases, lead to certain forms of cancer.

24 Nov 2021

Scientists identify new gene that contributes to type 1 diabetes progression

When the pro-inflammatory pair, a receptor called CCR2 and its ligand CCL-2, get together, it increases the risk of developing type 1 diabetes, scientists report.

16 Nov 2021

New study offers genetic insight into why we look the way we do

Which genes control the defining features that make us look as we do? And how do they make it happen?

11 Nov 2021

Researchers uncover new genetic link to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the accumulation of fat in the liver unrelated to alcohol abuse or other liver diseases. It is often associated with obesity and diabetes and is considered a manifestation of metabolic syndrome.

10 Nov 2021

Identification of a candidate effector gene at COVID-19 risk locus

A new study focuses on developing a comprehensive platform to decode the effects of sequence variation identified by GWAS.

8 Nov 2021

Deletion of ABI3 gene in the brain may increase risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease

When immune cells move throughout the brain, they act as the first line of defense against viruses, toxic materials and damaged neurons, rushing over to clear out them.

7 Nov 2021

Mapping C. difficile: Advanced ribotyping technology helps researchers keep track of deadly disease

Interview with Seth Walk, Principal Investigator and Associate Professor, Department of Microbiology and Cell Biology, Montana State University

From Promega Corporation 26 Oct 2021

A new bacterial two-hybrid assay to study SARS-CoV-2 interactome

Recently, scientists have developed a bacterial two-hybrid (B2H) system to study the PPIs of SARS-CoV-2 in a heterologous non-eukaryotic system. This study is available on the bioRxiv* preprint server. Put simply, the B2H system could be used to analyze the SARS-CoV-2 proteome.

11 Oct 2021

Study uncovers five new genetic loci predisposing to atopic dermatitis

An international study led by the University of Oulu's researchers reports five new genetic loci predisposing to atopic dermatitis.

18 Sep 2021