Genomics

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Genetic variants that impact protein binding in immune cells can cause autoimmune diseases

Certain genetic variants that cause modified protein binding in immune cells, are also seen in those at high risk of some autoimmune diseases, new research has found.

16 Apr 2021

Study shows how proteins work in concert to resolve DNA double-strand breaks

From cancer treatment to sunlight, radiation and toxins can severely damage DNA in both harmful and healthy cells. While the body has evolved to efficiently treat and restore damaged cells, the mechanisms that allow this natural repair remain misunderstood.

16 Apr 2021

HP1a is a key epigenetic regulator that maintains chromosome integrity

The information of the human genome is encoded by approximately 3 billion DNA base pairs and packaged into 23 pairs of chromosomes.

16 Apr 2021

Study reveals new genes that program stem cells to make dendritic cells

Using a new single-cell technique, WEHI researchers have uncovered a way to understand the programming behind how stem cells make particular cell types.

16 Apr 2021

CityU researchers identify super-enhancers that stimulate the activity of breast cancer genes

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive type of breast cancer with a high fatality rate. Currently, chemotherapy is the major treatment option, but the clinical result is unsatisfactory.

15 Apr 2021

DNAJC9 protein plays a key role in safeguarding histones, shows study

In the cell nucleus histones play a crucial role packaging DNA into chromatin. Histones are however very sticky to both DNA and RNA, so to ensure they are transported to the cell nucleus after synthesis and bind to the right portion of DNA to organize the chromatin, they are guarded by complexes of histone chaperones.

15 Apr 2021

Ebola virus's key protein uses molecular triggers in the human cell to change shape

The human genome contains the instructions to make tens of thousands of proteins. Each protein folds into a precise shape-;and biologists are taught that defined shape dictates the protein's destined function.

15 Apr 2021

Researchers discover molecular signatures of aging process in mice

Researchers have identified molecular signatures of the aging process in mice, publishing their results today in the open-access eLife journal.

13 Apr 2021

Altering a mosquito's gut genes shows promise to curb malaria

Altering a mosquito's gut genes to make them spread antimalarial genes to the next generation of their species shows promise as an approach to curb malaria, suggests a preliminary study published today in eLife.

13 Apr 2021

Gene therapy may offer a new approach to preserving vision in people with retinitis pigmentosa

A gene therapy protects eye cells in mice with a rare disorder that causes vision loss, especially when used in combination with other gene therapies, shows a study published today in eLife.

13 Apr 2021

DNA supercoiling is involved in the control of gene expression

The (when stretched) two-meter-long DNA molecule in each human cell is continuously being unpacked and packed again to enable the expression of genetic information.

13 Apr 2021

New approach to scale up genome editing in tiny worms

Understanding the effects of specific mutations in gene regulatory regions - the sections of DNA and RNA that turn genes on and off - is important to unraveling how the genome works, as well as normal development and disease.

13 Apr 2021

Study shows how nitrate controls gene expression in legumes

Plants in the bean family (legumes) form nodules on their roots to take up nitrogen. Legumes will stop nodule production when nitrogen is plentiful, but precisely how nitrate presence controls nodule formation in these plants has been a mystery.

12 Apr 2021

Researchers use genetics to identify potential drugs for early management of COVID-19

A new study using human genetics suggests researchers should prioritize clinical trials of drugs that target two proteins to manage COVID-19 in its early stages.

9 Apr 2021

Study explains future ethical implications of brain organoid research

Stem cell research has allowed medicine to go places that were once science fiction. Using stem cells, scientists have manufactured heart cells, brain cells and other cell types that they are now transplanting into patients as a form of cell therapy.

9 Apr 2021

Full assembly of human chromosome 8 reveals novel genes, disease risks

The full assembly of human chromosome 8 is reported this week in Nature. While on the outside this chromosome looks typical, being neither short nor long or distinctive, its DNA content and arrangement are of interest in primate and human evolution, in several immune and developmental disorders, and in chromosome sequencing structure and function generally.

8 Apr 2021

Mutations to autism-associated gene cause a cascade of problems in developing mouse brains

Damage to the autism-associated gene Dyrk1a, sets off a cascade of problems in developing mouse brains, resulting in abnormal growth-factor signaling, undergrowth of neurons, smaller-than-average brain size, and, eventually, autism-like behaviors, a new study from Scripps Research, Florida, finds.

8 Apr 2021

IRB Barcelona researchers find the Achilles heel of some lung tumors

In cancer, personalized medicine takes advantage of the unique genetic changes in an individual tumor to find its vulnerabilities and fight it.

8 Apr 2021

PNA-based gene editing technique can advance gene discovery

In an article published in the April 8 issue of Nature, the National Institutes of Health's Somatic Cell Gene Editing Consortium provided a detailed update on the progress of their nationwide effort to develop safer and more effective methods to edit the genomes of disease-relevant somatic cells and reduce the burden of disease caused by genetic changes.

8 Apr 2021

New test for Lyme disease can reliably distinguish between early- and late-stage patients

For those who live in an area blighted by ticks, the threat of Lyme disease can cast a shadow over the joy of spring and summer.

7 Apr 2021

Genomics

Genetic variants that impact protein binding in immune cells can cause autoimmune diseases

Study shows how proteins work in concert to resolve DNA double-strand breaks

HP1a is a key epigenetic regulator that maintains chromosome integrity

Study reveals new genes that program stem cells to make dendritic cells

CityU researchers identify super-enhancers that stimulate the activity of breast cancer genes

DNAJC9 protein plays a key role in safeguarding histones, shows study

Ebola virus's key protein uses molecular triggers in the human cell to change shape

Researchers discover molecular signatures of aging process in mice

Altering a mosquito's gut genes shows promise to curb malaria

Gene therapy may offer a new approach to preserving vision in people with retinitis pigmentosa

DNA supercoiling is involved in the control of gene expression

New approach to scale up genome editing in tiny worms

Study shows how nitrate controls gene expression in legumes

Researchers use genetics to identify potential drugs for early management of COVID-19

Study explains future ethical implications of brain organoid research

Full assembly of human chromosome 8 reveals novel genes, disease risks

Mutations to autism-associated gene cause a cascade of problems in developing mouse brains

IRB Barcelona researchers find the Achilles heel of some lung tumors

PNA-based gene editing technique can advance gene discovery

New test for Lyme disease can reliably distinguish between early- and late-stage patients

Expanding research and clinical options for children with cancer

Examining how pain could play a direct protective role in the gut

From Puberty to Menopause: Clue’s CEO, Audrey Tsang on the Power of Femtech

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