Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

SARS-CoV-2 DNA vaccine tested in animal model

A team of experts has tested the immune responses elicited by mucosal homologous plasmid and a heterologous immunization strategy using a plasmid vaccine and a Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) expressing SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) and nucleocapsid (N) antigens.

21 Feb 2021

A different strategy for wastewater detection of SARS-CoV-2

Researchers tested a variety of RNA concentration and extraction methods and assays to develop a protocol for testing SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater, which may help improve COVID-19 surveillance.

21 Feb 2021

Cissampelos pareira L. extracts demonstrate anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity in vitro

A team of scientists from India has recently investigated the antiviral potency of a traditional medicinal plant Cissampelos pareira L. in preventing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. The findings reveal that both whole-plant extracts and bioactive compounds can inhibit SARS-CoV-2 replication by modulating estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) activity.

21 Feb 2021

Evolution of the spike gene of SARS-CoV-2 for human adaptation

Researchers have found a 96% similarity in nucleotide sequence between bat coronavirus (RaTG13), isolated from Rhinolophus affinis bats in China in 2013, and SARS-CoV-2 and ~97% amino acid similarity with the Spike (S) protein. This S protein performs two essential roles, i.e., mediates receptor-binding and membrane fusion. Hence, spike protein is regarded as a key coronavirus determinant of host tropism.

21 Feb 2021

Researchers use functional test to measure the effect of inherited variants in BRCA2 cancer gene

Researchers at Mayo Clinic have combined results from a functional test measuring the effect of inherited variants in the BRCA2 breast and ovarian cancer gene with clinical information from women who received genetic testing to determine the clinical importance of many BRCA2 variants of uncertain significance (VUS).

20 Feb 2021

Scientists describe genetic mechanisms behind mating process of ciliates

Conjugation (or mating) of ciliates is a unique phenomenon among living beings. They have sex not for reproduction or pleasure — they seek to increase genetic variation.

20 Feb 2021

Direct cloning method aims to accelerate large-scale discovery of novel natural products

Microorganisms possess natural product biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) that may harbor unique bioactivities for use in drug development and agricultural applications.

20 Feb 2021

Whole-genome study of IBD in African Americans reveals a different genetic risk landscape

In African Americans, the genetic risk landscape for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is very different from that of people with European ancestry, according to results of the first whole-genome study of IBD in African Americans.

20 Feb 2021

Study: Longevity gene protects brain stem cells from the harmful effects of stress

A gene linked to unusually long lifespans in humans protects brain stem cells from the harmful effects of stress, according to a new study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators.

20 Feb 2021

Uninherited genetic mutations can cause spina bifida

Genetic mutations which occur naturally during the earliest stages of an embryo's development can cause the severe birth defect spina bifida, finds a new experimental study in mice led by UCL scientists.

19 Feb 2021

COVID-19 and lung cancer have a common pathway, say researchers

A new preprint on the bioRxiv* server describes the common features COVID-19 shares with lung cancer.

19 Feb 2021

Researchers find CXCR6 gene plays a role in COVID-19 severity

Researchers in the United States have conducted a study demonstrating that a gene called CXCR6 (C-X-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 6) may play an important role in determining the severity of COVID-19.

19 Feb 2021

Researchers develop new tool to decipher cellular conversations

An interdisciplinary team of biologists and mathematicians at the University of California, Irvine has developed a new tool to help decipher the language cells use to communicate with one another.

18 Feb 2021

Specific cell-to-cell communication associated with progression of gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are a subytpe of cancers known as sarcomas. GIST is the most common type of sarcoma with approximately 5,000 to 6,000 new patient cases annually in the United States.

18 Feb 2021

Study of newlyweds suggests a possible genetic link to marriage satisfaction

Variation in a specific gene could be related to traits that are beneficial to bonding and relationship satisfaction in the first years of a marriage, according to a new study by a University of Arkansas psychologist.

18 Feb 2021

Polycomb complexes found to be essential for proper skin development

Mount Sinai researchers have discovered that Polycomb complexes, groups of proteins that maintain gene expression patterns, are essential for proper skin development, according to a paper published in Genes & Development on February 18.

18 Feb 2021

UC San Diego researchers launch clinical trial to test gene therapy for Alzheimer’s disease

Researchers at University of California San Diego School of Medicine have launched a first-in-human Phase I clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of a gene therapy to deliver a key protein into the brains of persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a condition that often precedes full-blown dementia.

18 Feb 2021

One in five people lack protein α-actinin-3 in their muscle fiber, shows study

Almost one in five people lack the protein α-actinin-3 in their muscle fibers. Researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden now show that more of the skeletal muscle of these individuals comprises slow-twitch muscle fibers, which are more durable and energy-efficient and provide better tolerance to low temperatures than fast-twitch muscle fibers.

18 Feb 2021

Scientists successfully restore circadian function in the liver of arrhythmic mice

Circadian clocks, which regulate the metabolic functions of all living beings over a period of about 24 hours, are one of the most fundamental biological mechanisms.

18 Feb 2021

Advancements in DNA vaccines against COVID-19

The rapid spread of the pathogen and the increasing number of cases highlight the need for an effective and safe vaccine. As vaccination efforts roll out in many countries, new types of vaccines, like deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) vaccines, are under research..

17 Feb 2021

Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

SARS-CoV-2 DNA vaccine tested in animal model

A different strategy for wastewater detection of SARS-CoV-2

Cissampelos pareira L. extracts demonstrate anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity in vitro

Evolution of the spike gene of SARS-CoV-2 for human adaptation

Researchers use functional test to measure the effect of inherited variants in BRCA2 cancer gene

Scientists describe genetic mechanisms behind mating process of ciliates

Direct cloning method aims to accelerate large-scale discovery of novel natural products

Whole-genome study of IBD in African Americans reveals a different genetic risk landscape

Study: Longevity gene protects brain stem cells from the harmful effects of stress

Uninherited genetic mutations can cause spina bifida

COVID-19 and lung cancer have a common pathway, say researchers

Researchers find CXCR6 gene plays a role in COVID-19 severity

Researchers develop new tool to decipher cellular conversations

Specific cell-to-cell communication associated with progression of gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Study of newlyweds suggests a possible genetic link to marriage satisfaction

Polycomb complexes found to be essential for proper skin development

UC San Diego researchers launch clinical trial to test gene therapy for Alzheimer’s disease

One in five people lack protein α-actinin-3 in their muscle fiber, shows study

Scientists successfully restore circadian function in the liver of arrhythmic mice

Advancements in DNA vaccines against COVID-19

eBook: Using iPSCs models for human disease research and drug discovery eBook

Real-time Raman monitoring for pharmaceutical hot melt extrusion

Synthetic Psychedelics: A Growing Public Health Concern

How the Vutara VXL simplifies single-molecule imaging