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.

Genetic Inheritance

Ras Genes and Cancer

Horizontal Gene Transfer and Antibiotic Resistance

Tumor Suppressor Genes

What is SATI Gene Editing?

Gene Knockin

Genes that Control Pluripotency

Gene Knockout versus Knockdown

What are Homeobox Genes?

Horizontal Gene Transfer

Gene Editing Techniques: ZFNs, TALENs or CRISPR?

See more featured articles »

What are Homeobox Genes?

The Latest Advances in Cell and Gene Therapy

Genetics and Gene Expression

Functions of BRCA1/2 Gene Products

Gene History

Conditional Gene Knockout Techniques

Latest Gene News and Research

Condensate-based strategy protects synthetic gene circuits across cell generations

Genetic engineers can design and assemble sophisticated gene circuits to program cells with new functions, but important signaling molecules can become diluted as these cells grow and divide, causing the synthetic gene circuits to lose their new functions.

7 Nov 2025

Multiple protein forms from a single gene offer fresh insight into rare disease mechanisms

Iain Cheeseman and colleagues reveal the underappreciated role of single genes producing multiple proteins in atypical presentations of rare disease, and present case studies of affected patients through a collaboration with Boston Children's Hospital.

7 Nov 2025

Comprehensive kinase atlas reveals new insights into cell signaling and disease

The enzyme RNA polymerase II transcribes genes into messenger RNA. This process is guided by modifications to the enzyme's "tail" called phosphorylation patterns.

7 Nov 2025

New initiative focuses on advancing human disease research through AI and frontier biology

Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan today announced the launch of a first-of-its-kind initiative combining frontier artificial intelligence and frontier biology to dramatically accelerate scientific progress toward understanding and addressing human disease.

7 Nov 2025

Machine learning advances human-centric drug toxicity prediction

In the UK, there was a case where TGN1412, an immunotherapy under development, triggered a cytokine storm within hours of administration to humans, leading to multiple organ failure.

7 Nov 2025

New delivery particle could make mRNA vaccines cheaper and more effective

A new delivery particle developed at MIT could make mRNA vaccines more effective and potentially lower the cost per vaccine dose.

7 Nov 2025

BIOVECTRA and Revolution Biomanufacturing partner to deliver integrated mRNA Design and GMP production services

BIOVECTRA, a part of Agilent Technologies Inc., and Revolution Biomanufacturing Inc. today announced a collaboration that grants BIOVECTRA access to Revolution Biomanufacturing's proprietary platforms for optimizing untranslated regions (UTRs) and codon usage to enhance mRNA stability and translational efficiency.

6 Nov 2025

Intensive mind-body retreat rapidly alters brain function and blood biology

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have found that an intensive retreat combining multiple mind-body techniques, including meditation and healing practices, produced rapid and wide-ranging changes in brain function and blood biology.

6 Nov 2025

Scientists turn human stomach cells into insulin-producing beta cells

Type 1 diabetes is caused by an insufficient production of the hormone insulin by cells in the pancreas called beta cells and estimated to affect 9.5 million people worldwide.

6 Nov 2025

Alzheimer’s breakthrough reveals how tweaking one gene shields brain connections

Lowering the transcription factor PU.1 reprograms microglia into a neuroprotective, lymphoid-like state that compacts amyloid, blocks tau spread, and preserves synapses in Alzheimer’s disease. Microglial CD28 signaling helps restrain inflammation, revealing a regulatory switch that may inform future immunotherapies targeting microglia rather than neurons.

6 Nov 2025