Gene

A gene is a unit of heredity in a living organism. It normally resides on a stretch of DNA that codes for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. All living things depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains.

What are Genes?

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the chemical information database that carries the complete set of instructions for the cell as to the nature of the proteins produced by it, its life span, maturity, function and death. Genes are the working subunits of DNA. Each gene contains a particular set of instructions, usually coding for a particular protein or for a particular function.

The Latest Advances in Cell and Gene Therapy

Tumor Suppressor Genes

What is SATI Gene Editing?

Functions of BRCA1/2 Gene Products

Horizontal Gene Transfer

What are Homeobox Genes?

Genetic Inheritance

Gene Knockout versus Knockdown

Horizontal Gene Transfer and Antibiotic Resistance

Genetics and Gene Expression

Conditional Gene Knockout Techniques

See more featured articles »

Ras Genes and Cancer

Genes that Control Pluripotency

What are Homeobox Genes?

Gene Editing Techniques: ZFNs, TALENs or CRISPR?

Gene History

Gene Knockin

Latest Gene News and Research

Senescent brain immune cells secrete protein linked to cognitive decline

Brain-resident immune cells that have reached an old-age state called "senescence" secrete a protein that causes dysfunction in other brain cells, according to a study led by investigators at Weill Cornell Medicine.

11 Aug 2026

Huge philanthropic grant funds pioneering stem cell-based heart attack therapy

In a landmark moment for both the treatment of heart disease and philanthropic support, The Marcus Foundation has awarded the head of USC Stem Cell Center, Chuck Murry, MD, PhD, $28.7 million to advance a clinical trial testing a stem cell-based therapy designed to regenerate damaged tissue after a heart attack.

11 Aug 2026

Shared cellular pathway drives neurodegeneration in rare childhood dementia and Alzheimer’s

Researchers at University of California San Diego and their colleagues have identified a key cellular pathway that drives brain degeneration in both a rare childhood disorder and the far more common Alzheimer's disease.

11 Aug 2026

New computational tool identifies hidden genes driving asthma

Researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, in collaboration with investigators at the University of Chicago, have developed a new computational framework that helps scientists identify genes that play central roles in diseases such as asthma but are often overlooked by existing genetic analysis methods.

11 Aug 2026

Scientists identify parasite-specific protein linked to chronic Toxoplasma infections

Toxoplasma gondii, or Toxoplasma, is a parasite that infects hundreds of millions of people around the world.

11 Aug 2026

Folic acid relies on vitamin A pathway to prevent birth defects

For decades, we've known that folic acid can help prevent serious birth defects of the brain and spinal cord, but we haven't fully understood how it does it.

11 Aug 2026

Researchers identify molecular targets to treat painful nerve neuromas

Human peripheral nerves have a remarkable ability to regenerate after damage. However, when re-growing axons fail to meet their target organ, they can transform into painful neuromas.

11 Aug 2026

Early-life stress rewires brain epigenetics to heighten sensitivity to future stress

. Early-life stress increased SETD7 and H3K4me1 in the ventral tegmental area of mice, creating an epigenetically primed state that heightened later transcriptional, neuronal, and behavioral responses to stress. Reducing Setd7 during development lowered H3K4me1 and weakened these stress-sensitizing effects, identifying a mechanism that may help explain how early adversity leaves lasting biological effects.

11 Aug 2026

Broken String Biosciences launches BaseMap ABE to enable genome-wide off-target characterization in base editing therapeutic development

Broken String Biosciences, a biotechnology company enabling gene editing teams to accelerate development of safer, more effective genetic medicines, today announced the launch of BaseMap™ ABE. Built on the Company\'s INDUCE-seq® technology, BaseMap ABE extends the platform\'s capabilities to support adenine base editing (ABE) applications.

From Broken String Biosciences 10 Aug 2026

H5N1 infections remain rare among workers exposed to infected birds

A two-year cohort study of 428 people exposed to H5N1-infected birds in England found fewer than 1% met criteria for infection, with no severe disease or secondary human transmission. The findings support continued PPE use, biosecurity, and targeted surveillance while highlighting challenges around occupational exposure, mucosal contamination, and pandemic preparedness.

10 Aug 2026

Study identifies key immune cell changes in the lungs of people with sarcoidosis

Researchers at National Jewish Health and partner institutions discovered specific changes in immune cells in the lungs of people with sarcoidosis.

10 Aug 2026

Study uses alternative splicing data to predict protein function

A single human gene can produce multiple protein isoforms through alternative splicing, greatly expanding the functional diversity of the proteome.

10 Aug 2026

Study links delayed Ewing sarcoma growth to reduced Trk and IGF1R pathway markers

A new research paper was published in Volume 17 of Oncotarget on August 7, 2026, titled "Delayed growth of SK-ES-1 Ewing sarcoma tumor xenografts is associated with reduced Trk and IGF1R pathway markers."

10 Aug 2026

Scientists create single-cell atlas of spinal neurons involved in motor coordination

Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital created a single-cell atlas of a key class of spinal neurons involved in motor coordination. From that resource, they identified a small subgroup of interneurons associated with the speed of rhythmic movements such as walking.

10 Aug 2026

New gene signature predicts immunotherapy success for bone marrow cancers

A team led by researchers from the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), the HI-STEM Stem Cell Institute, and Medical Clinic V at Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD) has characterized T cells in the bone marrow in cases of multiple myeloma and acute myeloid leukemia: A specific group of tumor-reactive T cells can recognize and, in principle, fight cancer cells, but is often not sufficiently activated.

10 Aug 2026

Spatial transcriptomics study elucidates cellular dynamics during heart transplant rejection

A new study that explores gene expression during heart transplant rejection marks a step forward for precision medicine approaches to treat organ rejection.

10 Aug 2026

New combination therapy could permanently clear HIV in newborns

Every year, more than 120,000 newborns worldwide contract HIV, a global health burden that requires lifelong treatment for millions of people - assuming they have access and can afford it.

10 Aug 2026

New human genome benchmark captures both parental copies with near-perfect accuracy

Researchers created T2T-HG002, a near-perfect diploid human genome benchmark that is free of detectable errors across 99.4% of the genome and captures both maternal and paternal haplotypes. The benchmark expands coverage into previously excluded genomic regions and provides a new framework for evaluating sequencing reads, assemblies, phased variants, and personalized genome inference.

10 Aug 2026