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

Tumor Suppressor Genes

Ras Genes and Cancer

Genes that Control Pluripotency

Genetics and Gene Expression

The Latest Advances in Cell and Gene Therapy

Conditional Gene Knockout Techniques

What is SATI Gene Editing?

Gene Knockin

Genetic Inheritance

Gene Editing Techniques: ZFNs, TALENs or CRISPR?

See more featured articles »

Gene Knockout versus Knockdown

What are Homeobox Genes?

Functions of BRCA1/2 Gene Products

What are Homeobox Genes?

Horizontal Gene Transfer

Horizontal Gene Transfer and Antibiotic Resistance

Latest Gene News and Research

Newly discovered protein controls the space between mitochondrial membranes

Mitochondria are the tiny powerpacks that supply most of the energy our cells need. Their ability to generate this energy relies on a distinctive architecture: two membranes, one tucked inside the other, separated by a narrow gap called the intermembrane space (IMS).

23 Oct 2026

Ancient virus may help explain differences in human and chimpanzee brains

Pandemics can arise wherever animal or human populations are sufficiently large, and they are not confined to the modern age.

23 Oct 2026

Six-gene score could improve survival predictions for acute myeloid leukemia

The activity of six different genes can help determine patient survival of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), according to a study published today in Science Advances.

23 Oct 2026

KRAS-targeting vaccine prompts immune responses in pancreatic cancer patients

An investigational vaccine helped the immune system recognize and respond to mutations that drive most pancreatic cancers, according to results from a randomized phase 2 clinical trial led by Mayo Clinic researchers.

23 Oct 2026

Maternal stress alters placental pathways affecting fetal brain development

About one in five U.S. women experience maternal mental health conditions, and chronic stress during pregnancy can contribute to risk for both maternal and child health challenges.

23 Oct 2026

How Omics Technologies Are Transforming Biological Research and Drug Discovery

Discover how omics is transforming life sciences with expert insights from Dr. Shi-Qi An on multiomics, single-cell research and drug discovery.

23 Oct 2026

Dual-targeted therapy shows promise against metastatic triple-negative breast cancer

A new preclinical study suggests that attacking triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in two ways at once can kill cancer cells, slow tumor growth and limit the cancer's spread. Researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center – Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute (OSUCCC – James) developed the approach.

23 Oct 2026

Scientists studied one million immune cells and found clues to future disease risk

Researchers developed a single-cell atlas of one million human neutrophils, identifying distinct immune cell populations and gene-expression patterns across tissues, infections, cancer, and other health conditions. Certain neutrophil signatures were associated with metabolic dysfunction, cancer outcomes, and mortality, while higher routine neutrophil counts, even within the normal range, were linked to an increased risk of chronic disease.

22 Oct 2026

Unstable immune cells linked to severe cancer immunotherapy side effects

Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh uncovered the unstable immune cells that can cause up to 40% of immunotherapy patients to experience serious side effects and showed that diet and microbiome composition influence the side effect's severity.

22 Oct 2026

Transplanted placental cells successfully detected in mouse pancreas after birth

The pancreas is a complex organ comprising multiple cell types that regulate blood glucose levels through hormones, such as insulin, and support digestion by producing digestive enzymes.

22 Oct 2026

Study defines average human genome and normal genetic disease risk

A new study has characterized the "average" human genome, providing key information on normal human genetic variation and genetic disease risk.

22 Oct 2026

How microplastics and bacteria interact to drive antibiotic resistance

Microplastics can change how bacteria form biofilms and develop antibiotic resistance. Maria Jazmin Silvero Compagnucci explains.

From Pittcon 22 Oct 2026

Single-cell proteomics: Revealing proteome diversity from cellular heterogeneity to non-canonical biology

Discover expert insights into single-cell proteomics, revealing protein diversity and non-canonical biology with advanced mass spectrometry

From Bruker Daltonics 22 Oct 2026

Depression profile linked to disrupted sleep and poorer treatment responses

This study uncovers a circadian depression subtype, revealing links between sleep patterns, symptom severity, and antidepressant response in a large cohort.

22 Oct 2026

New national trial platform aims to accelerate Alzheimer's disease prevention

Researchers from the University of California San Diego will join a collaboration as part of a federal award of up to $41 million to launch a national effort aimed at accelerating the search for treatments that could prevent or slow Alzheimer's disease.

22 Oct 2026

Stem cell therapies may need new protein quality control standards

Current Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards for cell therapies assess identity, viability, sterility, and genetic stability. For extracellular vesicle (EV) products, Minimal Information for Studies of Extracellular Vesicles (MISEV2023) guidance adds particle size, concentration, markers, morphology, contaminants, endotoxin, and assays.

22 Oct 2026

Prenatal iron deficiency linked to lasting changes in the offspring brain

During the first weeks of pregnancy, developing cells are already laying the foundation for the brain. Iron plays a major role in the organization and shaping of cells during this stage of gestation.

21 Oct 2026

Study identifies blood proteins associated with aggressive prostate cancer risk

Proteins linked to the immune system, cell adhesion, blood vessel formation and known prostate cancer genes, were associated with the future risk of developing prostate cancer, including aggressive disease, in a new study led by researchers at Oxford Population Health.

21 Oct 2026

Semaglutide and teduglutide reduce immune-driven gut injury in mice

Researchers found that gut-derived GLP-1 and GLP-2 signaling helped protect mice against T cell-induced intestinal injury, with GLP-1R primarily regulating inflammation and GLP-2R supporting intestinal repair. Semaglutide and teduglutide, administered separately or together, reduced acute intestinal damage in mice lacking intestinal proglucagon, suggesting potential avenues for investigating treatments for immune-mediated gut injury.

21 Oct 2026

Penn State study identifies new regulator of jumping genes

As much as half of the human genome is composed of so-called "jumping genes." These DNA sequences can make copies of themselves that are inserted back into the genome at another location, playing a significant functional role in creating the diversity that drives evolution and in regulating how other genes are turned on or off.

21 Oct 2026