Genomics

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New study focuses on two-way gene switches controlling gene activity

Led by ICREA research professors at the Centre for Genomic Regulation, Luciano Di Croce and Marc A. Marti-Renom, the study focused on a set of genes with what's known as bivalent promoters - two-way genetic 'control switches' that are poised either to turn on in early development and rapidly drive high levels of gene activity, or to switch off and shut down the gene completely.

20 Sep 2018

Antioxidant in green tea helps sneak therapeutic RNAs into cells

Drinking green tea has been linked to health benefits ranging from cardiovascular disease prevention to weight loss.

19 Sep 2018

Study finds why some human genes are more popular with biomedical researchers

Historical bias is a key reason why biomedical researchers continue to study the same 10 percent of all human genes while ignoring many genes known to play roles in disease, according to a study publishing September 18 in the open access journal PLOS Biology, led by Thomas Stoeger and Luís Amaral of Northwestern University, and colleagues. This bias is bolstered by research funding mechanisms and social forces.

19 Sep 2018

Researchers describe cell mechanism that optimizes proteins production in stressful situations

The different genes within the genome must be expressed in precise levels and in the exact moment if the complex balance regulating cell activity is to be maintained.

19 Sep 2018

Scientists discover new molecules that work together to remove unwanted DNA

Scientists have discovered a new family of molecules that work together to precisely remove unwanted DNA during reproduction in single-celled, freshwater organisms called ciliates.

19 Sep 2018

Tweaking nuclear pores could provide new avenue to battle against cancer

If the cell nucleus is like a bank for DNA, nuclear pores are the security doors around its perimeter. Yet more security doors aren't necessarily better: some cancer cells contain a dramatic excess of nuclear pores.

19 Sep 2018

Research shows enlarged genotype-phenotype correlation for three-base pair deletion in NF1

International collaborative research led by Ludwine Messiaen, Ph.D., shows that while a three-base pair, in-frame deletion called p.Met992del in the NF1 gene has a mild phenotype for people with the genetic disorder neurofibromatosis type 1, or NF1, the mutation does cause complications.

18 Sep 2018

Researchers use CRISPR screen to reveal new targets in squamous cell carcinomas

A little p63 goes a long way in embryonic development - and flaws in p63 can result in birth defects like cleft palette, fused fingers or even missing limbs.

18 Sep 2018

Chinese and German researchers to cooperate more closely in future for better food

Working together for better food: Chinese and German researchers want to cooperate more closely in the future.

18 Sep 2018

Scientists find the genetic code underlying limb growth

Researchers at the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne have discovered the gene code that sets the pace and order of fetal development.

18 Sep 2018

Researchers find way to map mysterious content of non-coding RNA

Researchers from the University of North Carolina have found a way of categorising long non-coding RNAs (lnc-RNAs) by their probable function.

18 Sep 2018

Key signaling molecule that helps stem cells make healthy bone declines as we age

With age, expression of a small molecule that can silence others goes way up while a key signaling molecule that helps stem cells make healthy bone goes down, scientists report.

18 Sep 2018

Brigham Genomic Medicine program unravels 30 medical mysteries

A table in a recently published paper tells the story of 30 families who have, sometimes after years of searching, finally received an answer about the condition that has plagued one or more family members.

18 Sep 2018

Researchers use CRISPR to identify gene that helps cells resist flavivirus infection

UT Southwestern researchers today report the first use of CRISPR genome-wide screening to identify a gene that helps cells resist flavivirus infection. That nasty class of pathogens includes West Nile virus, dengue fever, Zika virus, and yellow fever.

18 Sep 2018