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 Knockin

Ras Genes and Cancer

Gene Knockout versus Knockdown

Tumor Suppressor Genes

What is SATI Gene Editing?

Gene History

Gene Editing Techniques: ZFNs, TALENs or CRISPR?

The Latest Advances in Cell and Gene Therapy

Conditional Gene Knockout Techniques

What are Homeobox Genes?

Horizontal Gene Transfer and Antibiotic Resistance

See more featured articles »

Genes that Control Pluripotency

Genetic Inheritance

Horizontal Gene Transfer

Functions of BRCA1/2 Gene Products

What are Homeobox Genes?

Genetics and Gene Expression

Latest Gene News and Research

UC San Diego receives funding to establish the Polysubstance Addiction Research Center

Researchers from University of California San Diego have received a $12.6 million award from the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) to establish the Polysubstance Addiction Research Center (PARC), a multidisciplinary center designed to uncover the biological factors that contribute to addiction across multiple substances.

30 Sep 2026

High-dose taurine aggravates alcohol-induced liver injury, study shows

The researchers first tested whether taurine could compensate for reduced intestinal taurine availability and protect against alcohol-induced liver damage.

30 Sep 2026

Novo Nordisk Foundation funds genomic research into metabolic diseases

The Novo Nordisk Foundation has committed $53 million to renew and expand the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Genomic Mechanisms of Disease at the Broad Institute, led by managing director Kasper Lage.

30 Sep 2026

Personalized navigation support increases genetic testing among cancer patients' relatives

Among cancer patients who received personalized support and navigation services from experts throughout the genetic testing process, their first-degree relatives – parents, siblings and children – were significantly more likely to receive genetic testing, as well.

30 Sep 2026

Laverock Therapeutics announces in vivo programs in oncology and genetic medicine

Laverock Therapeutics (‘Laverock’), a biotechnology company developing disease-responsive advanced therapies through its unique, programmable gene control technology, today announces its in vivo programs spanning CAR-T and genetic medicine

From Laverock Therapeutics 30 Sep 2026

Streamlining CRISPR workflows, from editing to analysis

INTEGRA's automated solutions optimize CRISPR workflows, enhancing gene editing efficiency and accelerating the path to innovative therapeutic developments.

From INTEGRA Biosciences 30 Sep 2026

MolBoolean™ measures free and bound proteins in the same experiment

Atlas Antibodies has launched MolBoolean™, a new in situ proximity assay. It detects free protein A, free protein B, and the A–B complex together in fixed cells and tissue.

From Atlas Antibodies AB 30 Sep 2026

Antibiotic resistance gene helps C. difficile spores withstand hospital disinfectants

Antibiotic resistance is supercharging dangerous gut bacteria to withstand even hospital-grade disinfectants intended to kill them.

29 Sep 2026

Intestinal enzyme links microbial metabolism to MASH progression

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is often viewed through the lens of hepatic lipid accumulation, inflammation and fibrosis. A new study published in eGastroenterology shifts attention upstream, identifying intestinal neutral ceramidase as a gut-derived driver of MASH progression through its effects on microbial metabolism, epithelial signalling and intestinal barrier function.

29 Sep 2026

Bile DNA sequencing helps identify hidden pancreatobiliary tumors

Distinguishing malignant from benign biliary strictures remains a major clinical challenge. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-guided cytology and biopsy may be inconclusive, particularly in early-stage disease or when tissue is scarce.

29 Sep 2026

Genomics and AI identify a candidate gene behind rare neurodevelopmental disorder

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, the Duncan Neurological Research Institute (Duncan NRI) at Texas Children's Hospital, the Texome Project and collaborating institutions have identified variants in gene BRSK1 as a likely diagnosis for individuals with a rare and complex neurodevelopmental disorder who until now had not received an explanation for their condition.

28 Sep 2026

Intentional substance exposures at school rise sharply among younger children

A new study found that rates of intentional substance exposures at school reported to U.S. poison centers increased substantially among elementary- and middle-school-aged children from 2000 through 2024, while high-school-aged adolescents continued to experience the highest rates of serious medical outcomes and hospital admissions.

28 Sep 2026

New antibody treatment blocks immune response to prevent Alzheimer's damage

There is no treatment available today to stop the death of brain cells in neurodegenerative diseases known as tauopathies, including Alzheimer's disease, in which twisted clumps of a protein called tau accumulate in the brain.

28 Sep 2026

Zebrafish study reveals how albinism gene influences embryonic eye development

Tiny, striped zebrafish are helping scientists trace how a gene linked to albinism influences eye development, work that may ultimately help explain some of the vision problems experienced by people with the condition and guide the search for new treatments.

28 Sep 2026

Cancer cells erase sections of Y chromosome to trigger tumor growth in men

A new study found that cancer cells selectively chip away gene-rich sections of the Y chromosome, triggering ripples that regulate tumor growth.

28 Sep 2026

Scientists find new way to overcome cell’s natural defenses against self-amplifying mRNA vaccines

The innovation could enable protection at lower doses, meaning vaccines could be rolled out further and faster than was previously imaginable, and opens new possibilities in gene therapy, cancer immunotherapy, and protein replacement therapies.

28 Sep 2026

New framework maps the complex link between psychological status and cardiovascular health

CVD remains the leading cause of death worldwide, while the global burden of mental disorders continues to rise.

28 Sep 2026

New EASD study highlights red meat sugar as independent risk factor for type 2 diabetes

Preliminary results of an observational study being presented at the Annual Meeting of The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Milan, Italy (Sept 28 – Oct 2), reveal that a sugar called dietary N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), which is common in red meat, is independently associated with a 63% higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes (T2D) in those with the highest versus lowest consumption, even after taking into account other T2D risk factors such as level of physical activity, overall diet, smoking status and other health conditions.

28 Sep 2026

Why one gut microbe is attracting attention in heart failure research

Researchers found that chronic systolic heart failure caused by nonischemic cardiomyopathy was associated with reduced gut microbial diversity, depletion of Bifidobacterium, and lower microbial short-chain fatty acid production potential. Higher Bifidobacterium abundance and higher circulating indole-3-propionic acid levels were associated with milder disease and clinical improvement, although the findings do not establish causality.

27 Sep 2026

Could the Mediterranean diet protect the brain through the gut?

A narrative review finds that the Mediterranean diet may support brain health through gut microbiome, immune, metabolic, and barrier-related pathways, but direct human evidence that microbiome remodeling mediates neuroprotection remains limited. The proposed mechanisms involve microbial metabolites, reduced inflammatory signaling, stronger intestinal and blood-brain barrier function, and possible effects on processes linked to Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

27 Sep 2026