Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

New approach to reduce toxic protein production in ALS

Patients with ALS frequently have a string of repeated DNA code in the cells of their brain, carrying hundreds to thousands of copies within the gene C9orf72.

22 Jan 2019

Staying in right shape is essential for reproductive success of cells

Cells must keep their shape and proportions to successfully reproduce through cell division, finds new research from King's College London and the Francis Crick Institute.

22 Jan 2019

Researchers identify new genes linked with age-related macular degeneration

A new study, published in Clinical Epigenetics, identifies genes associated with Age-related Macular Degeneration that could represent new targets for future drug development.

22 Jan 2019

Genetic changes may predict likelihood of relapse in breast cancer patients

Scientists have identified genetic changes that may predict the likelihood of breast cancer relapse in women taking a common type of hormone therapy.

22 Jan 2019

Scientists have reversed memory loss in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s Disease

Using a new epigenetics-based approach, scientists have managed to reduce memory loss and improve cognitive function in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease.

22 Jan 2019

Researchers show how mechanical stress affects bone development

Researchers at Okayama University show how mechanical stress at very early stages of bone development alters expression pattern of the non-collagenous matrix responsible for biological property of the bone.

22 Jan 2019

Scientists aim to find genetic causes of developmental abnormalities in the vagina and uterus

A percentage of females are born with a missing or underdeveloped vagina and uterus, and scientists are working to analyze the genes of hundreds of them to get a better idea about causes, improve genetic counseling and ideally treatment.

22 Jan 2019

Diversity among rural Africans extends to their gut microbiomes

Our microbiome, the complex community of bacteria, fungi, parasites, and other microorganisms in and on our bodies, reflects the way we live. If we own a pet, we likely share microbes with them. If we eat meat, the microbiome in our intestines may look different from that of a vegan.

22 Jan 2019

Mice transmit brain benefits of enriched upbringing to non-enriched offspring

Mice growing up in a basic cage maintain lifelong visual cortex plasticity if their parents were raised in an environment that promoted social interaction and physical and mental stimulation, according to a multigenerational study published in eNeuro.

From Society for Neuroscience 22 Jan 2019

Study describes metabolism of intestinal microbiota in babies for the first time

A research team with the participation of the Institute for Integrative Systems Biology of the University of Valencia, together with FISABIO and CIBERESP, has carried out the first metatranscriptomic study of the gut microbiota of babies, which has allowed to unveil the metabolism of the intestinal bacterial community during the first year of life, with a level of detail unknown until now

22 Jan 2019

Blood marker could aid in early prediction of Alzheimer's progression

Years before symptoms of Alzheimer's disease manifest, the brain starts changing and neurons are slowly degraded. Scientists at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, the Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research and the University Hospital Tuebingen now show that a protein found in the blood can be used to precisely monitor disease progression long before first clinical signs appear.

21 Jan 2019

Mouse studies challenge 'inhibition' theory of autism

A detailed study of four mouse models of autism challenges the most common assumption about what goes wrong in brain circuits to cause disease symptoms.

21 Jan 2019

Molecular profiling of precancerous lung lesions could lead to early detection and new treatments

The world's first genetic sequencing of precancerous lung lesions could pave the way for very early detection and new treatments, reports a new study led by UCL researchers.

21 Jan 2019

Simple blood test reliably detects signs of Alzheimer’s damage before symptoms

A simple blood test reliably detects signs of brain damage in people on the path to developing Alzheimer's disease - even before they show signs of confusion and memory loss, according to a new study from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Germany.

21 Jan 2019

Unexpected connection found between feeding and memory centers of the brain

The search for a mechanism that could explain how the protein complex NCOR1/2 regulates memory has revealed an unexpected connection between the lateral hypothalamus and the hippocampus, the feeding and the memory centers of the brain, respectively.

21 Jan 2019

Study reveals new genes and biological pathways linked to osteoarthritis

In the largest genetic study of osteoarthritis, an international team of scientists including researchers from the University of Sheffield, have uncovered 52 new genetic changes linked to the disease, which doubles the number of genetic regions associated with the disabling condition.

21 Jan 2019

Blood test detects brain damage linked to Alzheimer’s years before symptoms develop

Researchers have developed a blood test that can detect signs of brain damage among people who will develop Alzheimer’s years before the onset of memory loss.

21 Jan 2019

Researchers identify new peptide that helps lateral roots to grow with right spacing

How do plants space out their roots? A Japanese research team has identified a peptide and its receptor that help lateral roots to grow with the right spacing.

21 Jan 2019

New study extends our knowledge of the link between miRNAs and cancer

The abnormal expression of different classes of molecules is known to be linked to various types of cells becoming cancerous.

21 Jan 2019

Branched-chain amino acids in tumors can be targeted to prevent and treat cancer

Researchers at A*STAR's Singapore Bioimaging Consortium have discovered that branched-chain amino acids in tumors can be targeted to prevent and treat cancer. Together with collaborators from the United States and National Cancer Centre Singapore, they found that some cancers potently suppress the catabolism (breakdown) of BCAAs.

21 Jan 2019