Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Study finds addiction risk tied to reward and impulse genes

Most of the genetic risk for developing a substance use disorder comes from genes that broadly affect how our brains process rewards, regulate impulses and weigh consequences – not from genes that specifically influence substance use disorder or any single drug.

22 Mar 2026

Hepatitis C drug may prevent hepatitis E virus replication

A drug that is already in clinical trials against hepatitis C virus can also prevent hepatitis E virus from replicating.

22 Mar 2026

Study links gut microbiome imbalance to worsening kidney disease

Researchers at UC Davis School of Medicine have uncovered how an imbalanced gut microbiome escalates the production of metabolic byproducts by certain gut bacteria.

19 Mar 2026

Weaning reshapes gut microbes to strengthen lifelong immune defenses

According to a team of researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, Tongji University and collaborating institutions, weaning or switching from milk to solid food in early life doesn't just change what babies eat, it helps reprogram the gut's immune defenses to mount faster and stronger responses that can last into adulthood.

19 Mar 2026

Tiny gene mutations shape cancer behavior and immune response

Cancer is often thought of as a single disease. Yet even tumors that arise in the same organ can follow very different genetic paths.

19 Mar 2026

Study explores if wastewater can track colorectal cancer at population level

A proof-of-concept study shows that cancer-linked RNA can be detected in wastewater, raising the possibility of tracking colorectal cancer patterns across communities without relying on individual screening.

19 Mar 2026

Genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease may be modified by higher meat intake

Older people with a genetic risk of Alzheimer's disease did not experience the expected increase in cognitive decline and dementia risk if they consumed relatively large amounts of meat.

19 Mar 2026

New compound targets the neuronal epigenome to treat Alzheimer's disease

A team from the University of Barcelona has designed and validated in animal models an innovative compound with a pioneering mechanism of action for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

19 Mar 2026

Targeting protein fragment may improve Huntington disease treatments

Treatments that target a fragment of the mutant protein that causes Huntington's disease might be more effective than treatments, now in clinical trials, that target the whole protein but leave this fragment intact, a new study in mice suggests.

18 Mar 2026

Muscle-repairing macrophages trigger heterotopic ossification in mice

We have identified a macrophage population "Mrep" that plays an essential role in muscle repair. However, in Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP), Mrep functions as a pathogenic cell that triggers heterotopic ossification.

18 Mar 2026

Key gene mutation disrupts the brain’s ability to update beliefs in schizophrenia patients

One of the symptoms of schizophrenia is difficulty incorporating new information about the world. This can lead patients to struggle with making decisions and, eventually, to lose touch with reality.

18 Mar 2026

Why are men missing cancer tests despite higher positive rates?

A study highlights a gap in cancer prevention, showing men undergo genetic testing less often yet are more likely to carry high-risk cancer variants.

18 Mar 2026

Sartorius launches next-generation platform to boost efficiency in cell therapy production

The life science group Sartorius is launching an integrated system for the production and quality control (QC) of autologous cell therapies.

From Sartorius 18 Mar 2026

Scaffold-free muscle patches show promise for injury repair

Traumatic muscle injury can be associated with volumetric muscle loss (VML), often leading to permanent functional loss.

17 Mar 2026

Study identifies brain pathway crucial for proper functioning of working memory

Working memory is a cognitive function that is essential for carrying out everyday activities and temporarily retaining information.

17 Mar 2026

Lysosomal storage of drugs may influence cancer treatment outcomes

One of oncology's biggest challenges is that the same treatment can work well for some patients but fail completely in others.

17 Mar 2026

Researchers identify CD99L2 gene as a cause of spastic ataxia

Despite modern high-throughput sequencing, the genetic cause of most rare movement disorders remains unclear.

17 Mar 2026

MGI Tech and Predica Diagnostics accelerate cervical cancer screening on DNBSEQ platforms

Achieving a major milestone, MGI and Predica Diagnostics enhance cervical cancer diagnostics with rapid, scalable HPV testing on advanced sequencing platforms.

From MGI 17 Mar 2026

Study reveals dual role of PFK enzyme in metabolism and cell cycle progression

A metabolic enzyme studied for over seven decades has a hidden second function - it can unwind RNA and promote cell cycle progression, an additional function beyond its role in energy production, according to a new study led by the University of Surrey.

16 Mar 2026

Genomic sequencing may expand newborn screening beyond biochemical tests

Routine newborn screening (NBS) has transformed early disease detection. However, traditional biochemical tests limit the range of conditions that can be identified at birth. Next-generation sequencing is being explored as a complementary screening tool.

16 Mar 2026