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

Conditional Gene Knockout Techniques

Gene Editing Techniques: ZFNs, TALENs or CRISPR?

Gene History

What is SATI Gene Editing?

Gene Knockin

Horizontal Gene Transfer

Functions of BRCA1/2 Gene Products

Ras Genes and Cancer

Tumor Suppressor Genes

Gene Knockout versus Knockdown

See more featured articles »

Genetics and Gene Expression

Genetic Inheritance

Horizontal Gene Transfer and Antibiotic Resistance

What are Homeobox Genes?

Genes that Control Pluripotency

What are Homeobox Genes?

Latest Gene News and Research

Roswell Park scientists present five key cancer studies at clinical meeting

The research findings of experts from Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center will be featured during the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) annual meeting May 29 to June 2 at McCormick Place in Chicago.

25 May 2026

Researchers trace the origin of blood cells back to possible single-celled ancestors

Almost all animal species -- including humans -- have blood cells, but between different species our blood tells different stories.

25 May 2026

Senolytic therapy delays early disc degeneration in mouse model

Targeting senescent cells with dasatinib-quercetin preserves disc structure and modulates degeneration-associated pathways in a mouse model.

25 May 2026

Ferroptosis exploits unique cancer metabolic vulnerabilities to bypass traditional apoptotic evasion pathways

A new wave of scientific understanding is placing ferroptosis, a distinct form of iron-dependent cell death, at the forefront of efforts to overcome drug resistance in digestive cancers. These cancers, which include gastric, colorectal, liver, pancreatic, and esophageal malignancies, remain among the most challenging to treat due to their ability to evade standard therapies.

25 May 2026

Small non-coding RNA molecule precisely controls vital gene expression and cellular balance

A rapidly advancing area of biomedical innovation is shining a spotlight on miR-128-3p, a small yet powerful molecule with the potential to reshape how diseases—especially cancer—are detected, monitored, and treated. This microRNA, part of a broader class of non-coding RNAs, plays a critical role in regulating gene activity and maintaining cellular homeostasis.

25 May 2026

Metabolic reprogramming helps tumor cells adapt and evade the human immune system

A newly published review article highlights the critical role of fatty acid metabolism in shaping the tumor microenvironment and influencing cancer progression, offering fresh perspectives for the development of more effective therapies.

25 May 2026

Sting signaling stimulates vital immune defenses to actively suppress aggressive tumor growth

A new review brings attention to the STING pathway as a critical regulator in both colitis and colon cancer, highlighting its complex and often opposing roles in inflammation and tumor development. The findings underscore how this key component of the innate immune system can act as both a driver of disease and a protective mechanism, depending on biological context.

25 May 2026

New review highlights how glutamine metabolism shapes the complex tumor microenvironment

A new review article highlights the expanding importance of glutamine metabolism in shaping the tumor microenvironment, offering fresh perspectives on how metabolic interactions influence cancer progression and therapeutic response

25 May 2026

Researchers link surgical weight loss to reduced female cancer mortality rates

Substantial and sustained weight-loss has been linked to a reduced risk of cancer and cancer-related death, mainly in women. Two new studies now provide clues to why the risk is reduced - and suggest that gender, metabolism and genetics may play a crucial role.

25 May 2026

New AI model detects hidden antibiotic resistance genes beyond standard databases

resLens uses genomic language models to detect antibiotic resistance genes from DNA sequences, performing especially well on long-read data and on some ARGs poorly represented in reference databases.

25 May 2026

Scientists reveal why common pancreatic precancer lesions rarely turn deadly

Spatial and single-cell analyses of human donor pancreata showed that PanIN epithelial cells gradually acquire cancer-like molecular features, while their surrounding stromal and immune environment remains closer to normal pancreatic tissue. The findings suggest that delayed or incomplete microenvironmental reprogramming may help explain why most PanIN lesions remain indolent rather than progressing to pancreatic cancer.

24 May 2026

New advances improve prevention and treatment of HPV-related cancers

A new review article is drawing attention to the growing global impact of human papillomavirus (HPV) and the rapid progress in vaccines and therapeutic strategies aimed at reducing the burden of cervical and non-cervical cancers.

24 May 2026

RNA regulator RBM15 linked to immunity, metabolism, and cancer progression

A newly published review article brings attention to the expanding role of RBM15, a critical regulator of RNA m6A methylation, in the development and progression of a wide range of diseases, including cancer, metabolic disorders, and cardiovascular conditions.

24 May 2026

Efferocytosis plays central role in wound healing and tissue repair

A new review shines a spotlight on efferocytosis, a critical biological process responsible for the removal of dead cells, as a central force in promoting efficient wound repair and maintaining tissue balance.

24 May 2026

DNA methylation variability may improve precision cancer treatment strategies

A new review article brings attention to the critical role of DNA methylation heterogeneity in shaping the tumor microenvironment, highlighting its growing importance in understanding cancer progression and advancing more precise treatment strategies.

24 May 2026