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.

What is the Expanded Genetic Code?

Genetics and Gene Expression

Genetics Research and Technology

START and STOP Codons

Genetic Regulation of Fingers and Toes Development

The Role of Alternative Splicing in Disease

Genetic Change

Genetic Inheritance

What is Genetic Anticipation?

History of Genetics

Genetic Risk Associated with Social Anxiety

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The Importance of Genetic Counseling In Healthcare And Medicine

Genetics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

What is Cytogenetics?

Applications of the Expanded Genetic Code

Genotype Versus Phenotype

Von Recklinghausen Disease Expressivity

Latest Genetics News and Research

Blocking nerve signaling may reduce cancer-associated cachexia

Researchers have uncovered a previously unrecognized pathway linking lung tumor genetics, diet, and the nervous system that drives cancer-associated cachexia, according to a new study in mice.

2 Jul 2026

Discovery provides key insights into cellular mechanisms underlying female fertility

Female fertility depends on the successful growth and maturation of eggs (oocytes) within ovarian follicles. Within these follicles, the oocyte is surrounded by granulosa cells that supply nutrients, signaling molecules, and structural support essential for egg development.

2 Jul 2026

ACMG issues guidance for reporting uncertain genetic test variants

The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) has published a new statement, Points to Consider for the Reporting of Variants of Uncertain Significance in Germline Genetic and Genomic Testing, providing guidance to laboratories and healthcare professionals on the reporting and communication of variants of uncertain significance (VUS) identified through genetic and genomic testing.

1 Jul 2026

Flavonoid-rich foods may blunt breast cancer risk tied to genetics

Higher flavodiet scores were associated with lower breast cancer risk among 93,271 UK Biobank females followed for a median of 11.8 years. The inverse association was particularly evident in women with high genetic risk, but the observational study cannot prove causation.

1 Jul 2026

Genetic markers for ADHD influence early toddler activity levels

A toddler's activity levels are influenced by genetic differences, with some of the same genetic markers also linked to Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), according to new research from the University of Surrey.

1 Jul 2026

Genetics play a bigger role than pregnancy in childhood obesity risk

Genetic factors primarily explain the link between parental and childhood BMI, with maternal obesity impacting birth weight more than later childhood obesity.

1 Jul 2026

Study links DNA methylation to aggressive prostate cancer behavior

The prostate is the single organ most frequently afflicted by cancer in men. Prostate cancer affects approximately 4 million American men, with another 330,000 men expected to be diagnosed with the condition this year alone.

30 Jun 2026

Study explains how leukemia creates inflammatory lung environments

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) does more than infiltrate the lungs: it also transforms lung tissue to create an inflammatory environment that promotes the expansion of tumor cells and impairs respiratory function.

30 Jun 2026

New genetic clues may help prevent unexpected strokes in youth

UVA Health stroke researchers have identified a distinct and temporary pattern of gene behavior during cervical artery dissections, a leading cause of stroke in young people.

30 Jun 2026

Rare genetic condition offers new insights into human aging process

Scientists have discovered a rare genetic condition which causes people to age at a much faster rate, offering fresh insights into the aging process.

30 Jun 2026

Fish-inspired device enables scalable monitoring of beating heart organoids

An international team, including the University of Tokyo, has created a sensor inspired by the lateral line in fish - their "sixth sense" organ - which measures the pulse of lab-grown 3D heart tissue (cardiac organoids).

29 Jun 2026

New viral model triggers Parkinson's symptoms without using toxins

Scientists usually use animal models when studying Parkinson's disease because these models mimic the disease well.

29 Jun 2026

New discovery sheds light on how the human body controls Salmonella infections

Salmonella, an infection that causes diarrhea, fever, and abdominal pain, is the most common form of bacterial food poisoning in the U.S., sickening more than a million people each year.

26 Jun 2026

New screening approach identifies proteins that control human gene expression

Researchers at University of California San Diego have developed a large-scale screening approach that identifies proteins controlling a fundamental step in gene expression known as alternative polyadenylation (APA).

26 Jun 2026

Breastfeeding up to six months linked to lower ADHD risk

A new study from the University of Bergen shows an association between breastfeeding up to six months of age and a reduced risk of ADHD symptoms from ages three to eight.

26 Jun 2026

Scientists find link between bacterium in the gut ecosystem and lupus

Scientists at UT Health San Antonio, the academic health center of The University of Texas at San Antonio, found a link between a bacterium in the gut microbiome, or ecosystem, and lupus, which could lead to more effective treatment of the disease, in a study published in Nature Communications.

25 Jun 2026

Protein-sharing helps dormant bacteria withstand antibiotic treatment

When bacteria are under antibiotic attack, it is not 'every man for himself.' Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine and colleagues from collaborating institutions have discovered that bacterial populations work as a team to survive antibiotics.

25 Jun 2026

Blood metabolites reveal lifestyle links to brain health before dementia

Blood metabolome profiling in dementia-free middle-aged adults linked 14 metabolites to cognition and 22 metabolites to MRI markers of brain health. Lifestyle, clinical factors, medication use and gut microbiota appeared to shape many of these metabolites, with ergothioneine emerging as a notable cognition-linked signal.

25 Jun 2026

Dogs could transform the future of autism drug development

For thirty years the search for autism medicines has hit the same wall, and a new peer-reviewed Perspective in Genomic Psychiatry suggests that the way around it has been sleeping at our feet the entire time.

25 Jun 2026

Good oral health could improve athletic performance

Millions of fans around the world will be glued to screens in the coming weeks to watch remarkable displays of speed, precision and endurance in the world's most important football competition.

25 Jun 2026