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.

Gene History

Gene Concepts

c-Fos exhibits a dual role in memory formation and Alzheimer's disease

Immediate-early genes (IEGs), including c-Fos, are integral to the brain's response to stimuli. Initially identified as a proto-oncogene, c-Fos is essential for neural activity, synaptic plasticity, and stress responses.

14 Jun 2025

BRCA mutations sharply increase risk of implant-associated lymphoma

Women with breast cancer who were also carriers of the BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation and received textured breast implants as part of their reconstructive surgery after mastectomy were 16 times more likely to develop breast implant-associated anaplastic large cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL), a rare T-cell lymphoma, compared with similar women without these genetic mutations, according to a study published today in Blood Advances.

14 Jun 2025

New nanoparticle platform breaks through MRSA biofilms

A major cause of hospital-acquired infections, the super bacteria Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), not only exhibits strong resistance to existing antibiotics but also forms a dense biofilm that blocks the effects of external treatments.

14 Jun 2025

Understanding the role of astrocytes in depression and neuroinflammation

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a mental health condition that negatively affects the mood of a person and causes a loss of interest in activities that were previously associated with happiness.

13 Jun 2025

RNA steps up to protect the genome from DNA knots

Not all DNA looks like the familiar twisted ladder. Sometimes, parts of our genetic code fold into unusual shapes. One such structure, the G-quadruplex (G4), looks like a knot.

13 Jun 2025

Advancing precision oncology in intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma

ICCA accounts for 10–15% of primary liver cancers and is notorious for late-stage diagnosis and resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

13 Jun 2025

New drug combination shows high remission rates in acute myeloid leukemia

A combination therapy that adds a recently approved drug to the current standard of care for newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) showed high rates of complete remission in an early-phase clinical trial conducted at UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center and 11 other sites nationwide.

13 Jun 2025

Gene therapy shows long-term success in hemophilia B patients

A gene transfer approach to treating the bleeding disorder hemophilia B remains safe and effective long-term, as scientists from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and University College London today report thirteen years of follow-up data.

12 Jun 2025

New nanopore sequencing assay advances fragile X syndrome carrier screening

Researchers have developed an innovative new nanopore sequencing assay to identify carriers of fragile X syndrome (FXS), the leading cause of monogenic autism spectrum disorder and inherited intellectual disabilities.

12 Jun 2025

APOE gene variants influence metabolic patterns linked to aging and Alzheimer’s risk

A new research paper was published in Aging (Aging-US) Volume 17, Issue 5, on May 3, 2025, titled "APOE genotype and biological age impact inter-omic associations related to bioenergetics."

12 Jun 2025

Updated EU CAR-T Handbook offers insights into latest developments in CAR-T cell therapies

The EBMT, the EHA, and the GoCART Coalition proudly announce the release of the second edition of the EU CAR-T Handbook, a comprehensive, open-access resource covering the latest developments in CAR-T cell therapies.

12 Jun 2025

New CRISPR tool enables precise chemical modification of RNA in living cells

CRISPR-Cas13, a powerful RNA-targeting technology is gaining increasing attention as a next-generation gene therapy platform due to its precision and reduced side effects.

12 Jun 2025

Lower oral microbiome diversity linked to higher depression symptoms

A rich and varied mix of microbes in the mouth, particularly bacteria, is not only important for our oral health, but may hold clues for other conditions.

12 Jun 2025

Exercise targets specific brain cells to protect against Alzheimer’s

Using advanced single-nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) and a widely used preclinical model for Alzheimer's disease, researchers from Mass General Brigham and collaborators at SUNY Upstate Medical University have identified specific brain cell types that responded most to exercise.

12 Jun 2025