Gene News and Research

Latest Gene News and Research

Study uses novel approach to investigate genetic origins of mental illnesses

A study in Biological Psychiatry has established a new analytical method for investigating the complex genetic origins of mental illnesses using brain cells that are grown in a dish from human embryonic stem cells.

16 Oct 2018

Study uncovers important role of PRMT1 in dilated cardiomyopathy

In a study published in iScience, Professor Akiyoshi Fukamizu of the Life Science Center for Survival Dynamics, Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance (University of Tsukuba, JAPAN) and the research group reported a new work on discovery of the important role of PRMT1 in dilated cardiomyopathy.

16 Oct 2018

Zebrafish study uncovers molecular 'brake' that helps control eye lens development

How different cells in a multicellular organism acquire their identities remains a fundamental mystery of development. In the eye, for example, the lens contains two cell types - lens epithelial cells and lens fiber cells -- the first of which differentiates into the second as an animal matures.

16 Oct 2018

Rice University chemist wins big award to study small surfaces

It's one thing to start a chemical reaction and get a result, but it's quite another thing to watch it in progress. Rice University chemist Matt Jones wants to see it happen.

16 Oct 2018

Study pinpoints new marker that can predict Crohn’s disease subtype

Crohn's disease, a chronic inflammatory condition of the intestinal tract, has emerged as a global disease, with rates steadily increasing over the last 50 years.

16 Oct 2018

Researchers sequence two selfish genes in the fungus Neurospora intermedia

Selfish genes are genes that are passed on to the next generation but confer no advantage on the individual as a whole, and may sometimes be harmful.

15 Oct 2018

Yale researchers develop way to attack RNA with small-molecule drugs

Yale researchers have developed a way to target RNA with small-molecule drugs, creating a new method for tapping into a vast number of biological mechanisms critical to metabolism and gene expression.

15 Oct 2018

Breastfeeding reduces the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in infant gut

A new study from the University of Helsinki shows that babies that are breastfed for at least six months have less antibiotic-resistant bacteria in their gut compared with infants breastfed for a shorter time. In addition, antibiotic use by mothers increases the number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in infants.

15 Oct 2018

Scientists shed light on roles of transcription factors, TP63 and SOX2, in squamous cell carcinoma

Squamous cell carcinomas are aggressive malignancies arising from squamous epithelium of various organs, such as esophagus, head and neck, lung and skin. Previous studies demonstrated that two master transcription factors, TP63 and SOX2, effect genomic activation in SCCs.

15 Oct 2018

Study identifies molecular switch that controls fate of milk-producing breast cells

A research team, led by investigators from Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, details how a natural and dramatic process -- changes in mammary glands to accommodate breastfeeding -- uses a molecular process believed to contribute to survival of pre-malignant breast cells.

15 Oct 2018

Researchers to study the use of CRISPR on human liver on-a-chip platform

Two Arizona State University professors are among the first recipients of Somatic Cell Genome Editing grants from the National Institutes of Health Common Fund. The $2,600,000, five-year grant will fund the first study of the genome editing technology CRISPR to be used on a "human liver on-a-chip" platform.

15 Oct 2018

Researchers develop two-pronged approach for targeting Ebola virus

In a new study researchers have developed a two-pronged approach for targeting Ebola virus infection using linked nucleic acid (LNA) antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs)designed to interfere both genes essential for translation of Ebola virus genes and to block production of an intracellular human protein needed for the virus to enter cells.

12 Oct 2018

Study: Alterations in genes encoding proteins contribute to ADHD development

A team from I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University together with foreign colleagues analyzed the genomes of several families that have members with ADHD.

12 Oct 2018

Findings offer new insight into early changes that occur during AD pathology

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, involving memory loss and a reduction in cognitive abilities.

12 Oct 2018

Scientists use haploid stem cells to produce mice with same-sex parents

In a new study, Chinese researchers were able to produce healthy mouse pups with two mothers. The research involved the use of haploid embryonic stem cells.

12 Oct 2018

Metabolome tests could be new way to measure obesity and health

The link between obesity and health problems may seem apparent. People who are obese are at higher risk of type 2 diabetes, liver disease, cancer, and heart disease.

12 Oct 2018

Antimicrobial signaling molecule has lower activity against hepatitis C virus in most humans

An antimicrobial signaling molecule called IFNλ4 has lower activity against the hepatitis C virus in the vast majority of humans compared with chimpanzees and African hunter-gatherer Pygmies, according to a study published October 11 in the open-access journal PLOS Pathogens by John McLauchlan’s research team at the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research in the UK, and colleagues.

12 Oct 2018

Study suggests new approach to treat life-threatening blood disorder in children

Pediatric researchers studying the life-threatening blood disorder Fanconi anemia have devised a method to block the abnormal biological signals that drive the disease.

12 Oct 2018

Lab grown retinal cells provide clues to color blindness treatment

Researchers have grown human retinal cells in the laboratories and thus attempted to understand the basis of color vision and its development in humans. The results showed that certain hormones are essential for the development of color vision in humans and were published in the latest issue of the journal Science.

11 Oct 2018

Scientists discover molecular link between body weight and early-onset puberty

Becoming overweight at a young age can trigger a molecular chain reaction that leads some girls to experience puberty early, according to new research published in Nature Communications.

11 Oct 2018