Genetics

Genetics is the study of genes and heredity. Heredity is the passing of genetic information and traits (such as eye color and an increased chance of getting a certain disease) from parents to offspring.

How Do Genetic Mutations Cause Disease?

Mutations in genes can lead to genetic disorders, impacting health. Understand the types, causes, and implications of genetic mutations and disease.

Genetic Risk Associated with Social Anxiety

The Role of Alternative Splicing in Disease

Genetic Inheritance

The Importance of Genetic Counseling In Healthcare And Medicine

What is the Expanded Genetic Code?

Genotype Versus Phenotype

START and STOP Codons

Genetics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Genetics Research and Technology

Genetic Change

Applications of the Expanded Genetic Code

See more featured articles »

What is Cytogenetics?

Von Recklinghausen Disease Expressivity

What is Genetic Anticipation?

Genetics and Gene Expression

Genetic Regulation of Fingers and Toes Development

History of Genetics

Latest Genetics News and Research

Better schools can offset genetic disadvantages in learning

Research indicates that high-quality schooling can compensate for genetic disparities in reading success, underscoring the importance of equitable education.

3 Nov 2025

Mental and physical health conditions can be traced back to a shared risk factor

Mental and physical health conditions in children and adolescents are often linked and can be traced back to a shared risk factor. According to new research from örebro University.

3 Nov 2025

GeneSight test-guided treatment leads to faster remission and response in patients with depression

Myriad Genetics, Inc., a leader in molecular diagnostic testing and precision medicine, today announced a post-hoc analysis of the Precision Medicine in Mental Health Care (PRIME) study showed that treatment informed by the GeneSight® test led to faster initial remission and response in patients with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

31 Oct 2025

Neuroscientists uncover a surprising role for "Frazzled" protein in the nervous system of fruit flies

Florida Atlantic University neuroscientists have uncovered a surprising role for a protein named "Frazzled" (known as DCC in mammals) in the nervous system of fruit flies, showing how it helps neurons connect and communicate with lightning speed.

31 Oct 2025

Researchers uncover mechanism by which BRCA2-deficient tumors develop chemoresistance

One of the biggest challenges in cancer treatment is chemoresistance: tumors that initially respond well to chemotherapy become resistant over time. When that happens, treatment options are often limited.

30 Oct 2025

Study finds more commonalities between CTE and Alzheimer's disease at the genetic level

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) – most often found in athletes playing contact sports – is known to share similarities with Alzheimer's disease (AD), namely the buildup of a protein called tau in the brain.

30 Oct 2025

Some hormonal contraceptives linked to higher risk of breast cancer

Some common hormonal contraceptives are linked to a slightly higher risk of breast cancer than others.

30 Oct 2025

Scientists capture a near-continuous molecular movie of ribosome formation

Ribosomes are the cell's protein factories, which read the genetic code and assemble the proteins that every organism needs to live. But as far as how ribosomes themselves were formed, tantalizingly little was known.

30 Oct 2025

Eating habits tied to Parkinson’s risk: sweets and processed meats raise odds, fruit lowers them

In a large Italian case-control study, researchers identified data-driven dietary patterns linked to Parkinson’s disease risk. Diets rich in sweets, red and cured meats were associated with higher odds of PD, while fruit, especially citrus, was protective.

29 Oct 2025

Scripps Research professor wins $3.2 million grant to unravel the mysteries of type 1 diabetes

Luc Teyton, professor in the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at Scripps Research, has received a five-year, $3.2 million grant from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) to help answer how type 1 diabetes manifests and develop potential therapeutics to reverse or prevent the disease.

29 Oct 2025

Unlocking memory: The role of epigenetics in memory expression

Our experiences leave traces in the brain, stored in small groups of cells called "engrams". Engrams are thought to hold the information of a memory and are reactivated when we remember, which makes them very interesting to research on memory and age- or trauma-related memory loss.

29 Oct 2025

Fruit flies illuminate the role of Alzheimer's disease risk genes

Scientists have identified hundreds of genes that may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease but the roles these genes play in the brain are poorly understood.

29 Oct 2025

Heart ‘blueprint’ offers insights into fetal development and congenital defects

New research in Sweden has produced a "blueprint" revealing how the human heart is built during prenatal development.

29 Oct 2025

New biofilm discovery may pave way to undermining antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas

The bacterium known as Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an unwelcome visitor in the human body. Serious infections can result when a bunch of these bugs settle together on a surface to form a biofilm - a community of microbes like the slime on spoiled food, but in this case residing inside a person.

29 Oct 2025

AI-powered LifeClock forecasts diseases years before symptoms appear

Researchers have developed LifeClock, an AI-driven biological clock trained on over 24 million electronic health records to estimate biological age across the human lifespan. The model accurately predicts disease risk years in advance, revealing distinct developmental and aging processes.

28 Oct 2025

BD² expands global effort to examine the key mechanisms of bipolar disorder

Today, BD², or Breakthrough Discoveries for thriving with Bipolar Disorder, announced its third round of Discovery Research grants, totaling nearly $18 million – expanding a comprehensive global effort to examine the key mechanisms of bipolar disorder.

28 Oct 2025

Researchers discover a previously unknown genetic cause for microcephaly

Microcephaly is a congenital malformation that leads to a significantly reduced brain size and is often accompanied by developmental delay.

28 Oct 2025

Scripps Research wins $4 million CIRM grant to develop novel platform for neurodevelopmental disorders

Most people are born with two functioning copies of each gene-one inherited from each parent. In many cases, having just one working copy is enough for the body to function normally.

28 Oct 2025

Obesity’s health risks shift with age and sex, new genetic study reveals

Using a new time-resolved Mendelian randomization approach in over 360,000 UK Biobank participants, Karlsson et al. revealed that the causal impact of obesity changes across life, with distinct age- and sex-specific risk patterns for diabetes, heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and osteoarthritis.

27 Oct 2025

Study finds up to 5% of Americans carry genetic mutations linked to increased cancer susceptibility

New Cleveland Clinic research reveals that up to 5% of Americans – approximately 17 million people – carry genetic mutations or "variants" linked to increased cancer susceptibility, regardless of risk factors like personal or family cancer history.

27 Oct 2025