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.

Von Recklinghausen Disease Expressivity

What is Genetic Anticipation?

Genetics and Gene Expression

History of Genetics

What is the Expanded Genetic Code?

START and STOP Codons

Genetics Research and Technology

Genotype Versus Phenotype

Genetic Regulation of Fingers and Toes Development

Applications of the Expanded Genetic Code

Genetic Risk Associated with Social Anxiety

See more featured articles »

What is Cytogenetics?

Genetic Change

The Role of Alternative Splicing in Disease

Genetic Inheritance

Genetics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

The Importance of Genetic Counseling In Healthcare And Medicine

Latest Genetics News and Research

New protein atlas identifies distinct subtypes of neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases form a tangled biological web with overlapping molecular signatures and symptoms. To decode this complexity, a multi-institute collaboration led by St. Jude Children's Research Hospital scientists developed the pan-neurodegeneration atlas (PanNDA).

23 Mar 2026

Early adulthood hypertension linked to heart and kidney disease later in life

Higher blood pressure during young adulthood is likely linked to a higher risk of heart disease and kidney disease later in life, reinforcing the importance of maintaining healthy blood pressure at younger ages, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's EPI|Lifestyle Scientific Sessions 2026.

23 Mar 2026

Replacing sedentary time improves insulin resistance in adolescents

Adolescents who replaced just half an hour of sedentary behaviors, such as sitting on the couch or spending time at the computer, each day for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity or sleep may lower their insulin resistance, a key factor in preventing the development of Type 2 diabetes, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's EPI|Lifestyle Scientific Sessions 2026.

23 Mar 2026

Study finds addiction risk tied to reward and impulse genes

Most of the genetic risk for developing a substance use disorder comes from genes that broadly affect how our brains process rewards, regulate impulses and weigh consequences – not from genes that specifically influence substance use disorder or any single drug.

22 Mar 2026

Balancing sitting and movement may lower the risk for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

During pregnancy, women can reduce their risk of developing a hypertensive disorder by nearly 30% by limiting sedentary time to no more than eight hours a day and increasing light, everyday physical activity to at least seven hours a day, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's EPI|Lifestyle Scientific Sessions 2026.

19 Mar 2026

New method uses biomarkers to determine a person's biological age

Aging is a highly individual process. An international consortium coordinated by researchers in Konstanz has developed a method that uses biomarkers to determine a person's biological age - a valuable tool for research on ageing and the development of new approaches in preventive medicine.

19 Mar 2026

Tiny gene mutations shape cancer behavior and immune response

Cancer is often thought of as a single disease. Yet even tumors that arise in the same organ can follow very different genetic paths.

19 Mar 2026

Early morning workouts may improve cardiometabolic health

People who regularly exercised early in the morning were significantly less likely to have coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes or obesity compared with people who exercised later in the day, according to a study being presented at the American College of Cardiology's Annual Scientific Session (ACC.26).

19 Mar 2026

New data hub aims to advance alternatives to animal testing

A research team at NYU Langone Health and Sage Bionetworks has been awarded a $25 million grant to establish the data hub and coordinating center for the National Institutes of Health's Complement-Animal Research in Experimentation (Complement-ARIE) program.

18 Mar 2026

Blocking a single protein could make hidden HPV-positive tumors vulnerable to treatment

A team of scientists at Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences have uncovered a mechanism that allows certain head and neck cancers to hide from the immune system, a discovery that could change how some of the most treatment resistant tumors are approached.

18 Mar 2026

Taller individuals face higher risk of endometriosis and atrial fibrillation

A large-scale genetic analysis of East Asian individuals led by Fuu-Jen Tsai of the China Medical University Hospital, finds that people with greater height face a higher risk of endometriosis and atrial fibrillation.

18 Mar 2026

Precise application of radio waves could help counter neurological conditions

A new study found that precise application of radio waves can change the activity of brain cells in ways that could counter neurological conditions.

18 Mar 2026

Cancer cells rely on glutathione as fuel for growth

Researchers discovered an antioxidant, glutathione, that cancer cells appear to be "addicted to" as fuel, opening new pathways for investigation and a potential drug that can restrict the way tumors use this nutrient.

18 Mar 2026

Children develop stronger immunity after repeated infections in nursery

Young children who attend nursery get sick more often than those who don't, but they will go on to have fewer illnesses during early school years, finds a new review of evidence by a group of parent-scientists involving University College London (UCL) researchers.

18 Mar 2026

New data platform transforms prediction and understanding of Alzheimer’s disease

A powerful new real-world data platform could transform how scientists predict and understand Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease related dementias (AD/ADRD), reports a new study at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and collaborators at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, the School of Nursing as well as the University of Miami and University of Chicago.

18 Mar 2026

Implantable device boosts immune cells to fight cancer effectively

Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment by harnessing the body's own immune system to fight disease.

17 Mar 2026

Belly fat linked to heart failure risk through inflammation

New research suggests that measures of excess weight around the waist (central obesity or visceral fat) may increase the risk of heart failure primarily due to inflammation, according to findings presented at the American Heart Association's EPI|Lifestyle Scientific Sessions 2026.

17 Mar 2026

Tailored prediabetes treatment may better prevent Type 2 diabetes

A one-size-fits-all approach to prediabetes treatment may miss the opportunity to implement an early, more intensive, tailored prevention approach for those with the highest risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to preliminary research presented at the American Heart Association's EPI|Lifestyle Scientific Sessions 2026.

17 Mar 2026

New CAR-T cell therapy shows promise for treating osteosarcoma

Finding an effective treatment for osteosarcoma, the most common type of bone cancer in children and young adults, has puzzled medical researchers for 40 years.

17 Mar 2026