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.

Tumor Suppressor Genes

Horizontal Gene Transfer

Horizontal Gene Transfer and Antibiotic Resistance

Gene Knockin

What are Homeobox Genes?

Gene History

The Latest Advances in Cell and Gene Therapy

Gene Editing Techniques: ZFNs, TALENs or CRISPR?

Genetics and Gene Expression

What is SATI Gene Editing?

Gene Knockout versus Knockdown

See more featured articles »

Conditional Gene Knockout Techniques

What are Homeobox Genes?

Genetic Inheritance

Functions of BRCA1/2 Gene Products

Genes that Control Pluripotency

Ras Genes and Cancer

Latest Gene News and Research

Boosting PI31 to restore synaptic function and prevent neurodegeneration

One fundamental feature of neurodegenerative diseases is a breakdown in communication. Even before brain cells die, the delicate machinery that keeps neurons in touch-by clearing away protein waste at the synapses-starts to fail.

16 Sep 2025

FUJIFILM Biosciences introduces BalanCD HEK293 perfusion a medium to enable gene therapy production

FUJIFILM Biosciences, a global leader in the innovation and manufacture of cell culture solutions for the Life Science market, today announced the commercial launch of BalanCD HEK293 Perfusion A.

15 Sep 2025

Study reveals how centenarians preserve youthful immune defenses

Researchers mapped immune cells from centenarians, their offspring, and younger controls across three cohorts using multi-omics single-cell profiling. They found that centenarians retain leaner helper pools but have enhanced cytotoxic and NK cell programs, along with reinforced NK–T communication networks.

15 Sep 2025

How processed red meat might drive neurodegenerative diseases

The relationship between processed red meat and neurodegenerative diseases is complex, with potential risks and protective effects requiring more investigation.

15 Sep 2025

Genetic study shows dual GIPR/GLP1R action curbs binge alcohol use

Researchers used drug-target Mendelian randomization to test whether genetically proxied activation of GLP1R and GIPR influences alcohol-related behaviors. They found that GIPR, especially when combined with GLP1R, was linked to lower binge and heavy drinking, healthier food preferences, improved liver markers, and reduced coronary artery disease risk.

15 Sep 2025

Ketogenic diets may lower migraine frequency and medication use

This narrative review argues that the migraine brain is hypometabolic, with converging evidence of mitochondrial dysfunction, impaired glucose handling, neuroinflammation, microbiome shifts, and obesity-related pathways. It proposes ketogenic diets as a plausible preventive strategy that may reduce monthly migraine days and medication use, while emphasizing the need for larger, rigorous randomized trials and careful clinical oversight.

14 Sep 2025

Novel vitamin K analogs show promise for reversing neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Huntington's disease are characterized by the progressive loss of neurons.

13 Sep 2025

Genetic mutation in some East Asians linked to aldehyde storm and increased liver disease risk

Researchers have identified the mechanism by which a common genetic mutation increases liver disease risk. Their findings suggest that healthy choices, such as increasing antioxidants and limiting exposure to smoke, may reduce the risk of this disease.

13 Sep 2025

Female-specific mechanism enhances heat production in brown fat

Higher activity of PGC-1α enables brown fat cells in females to thermogenic activity and energy expenditure compared to males, reveals a study conducted in Japan.

12 Sep 2025

Bacteria use density switch to balance virulence and growth

Pathogens are becoming more and more resistant to antibiotics. With the goal of developing new therapeutic approaches to treat bacterial infections more effectively in the future, researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) and the Max Planck Institute in Marburg investigated the plague-related bacterium Yersinia enterocolitica.

12 Sep 2025

AI toolset reveals links between lung fibrosis and aging

A new research paper was published in Volume 17, Issue 8 of Aging-US on August 8, 2025, titled "AI-driven toolset for IPF and aging research associates lung fibrosis with accelerated aging."

11 Sep 2025

Study identifies C1orf122 as prognostic marker in liver cancer

Primary liver cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths, of which hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for approximately 90% of all liver cancer cases.

11 Sep 2025

Blocking immune brake protein boosts defense against Aspergillus fumigatus

People are exposed to millions of fungal spores every day, even potentially harmful ones like those from Aspergillus fumigatus.

11 Sep 2025

Scientists uncover brain circuit that turns cravings into eating behavior

Researchers found that the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis integrates pleasure signals from central amygdala prodynorphin neurons and hunger signals from agouti-related peptide neurons to drive consumption. Manipulating this bed nucleus of the stria terminalis circuit bidirectionally altered food intake and body weight in mice.

11 Sep 2025

Weill Cornell Medicine receives $3.4 million NIH grant to study type 1 diabetes development

Weill Cornell Medicine has received a four-year, $3.4 million grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health, for a study of the details and dynamics of the autoimmune process that causes type 1 diabetes.

11 Sep 2025

New genetic test redefines diagnosis and management of hereditary pancreatitis

A new genetic test developed at Mayo Clinic is redefining how clinicians diagnose and manage hereditary pancreatitis.

11 Sep 2025

RAB26 identified as a critical regulator of prostate cancer aggressiveness

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignant tumors in men worldwide. While early detection has improved patient outcomes, effective therapies for advanced disease remain limited.

11 Sep 2025

CRISPR-based therapeutic approach designed to treat fatal pediatric disease

Multisystemic smooth muscle dysfunction syndrome (MSMDS) is a rare condition associated with stroke, aortic dissection (tearing) and death in childhood.

11 Sep 2025

Chronic insomnia linked to faster cognitive decline and brain changes

People with chronic insomnia may experience faster declines in memory and thinking skills as they age-along with brain changes that can be seen on imaging scans-than people who do not have chronic insomnia, according to a study published in the September 10, 2025, issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

10 Sep 2025

Can cannabis use disrupt women’s fertility? New study finds strong evidence

Researchers found that THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis, alters oocyte gene expression, spindle formation, and chromosome segregation, lowering embryo euploidy rates in IVF. This provides direct human evidence linking cannabis exposure to impaired female fertility outcomes.

10 Sep 2025