Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Selenium protects specialized neurons from cell death during postnatal development

Exactly 200 years ago, the Swedish scientist Jöns Jacob Berzelius discovered the trace element selenium, which he named after the goddess of the moon, Selene.

29 Dec 2017

UAB study shows missense mutations as key risk factor for severe symptoms of neurofibromatosis type 1

Research led by Ludwine Messiaen, Ph.D., professor of genetics at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, shows that missense mutations in a cluster of just five codons in the NF1 gene are an important risk factor for severe symptoms of the genetic disease neurofibromatosis type 1.

28 Dec 2017

Scientists discover five new regions of the genome that increase asthma risk

An international study led by scientists from Inserm and Paris Diderot Universit, the University of Chicago, the National Heart and Lung Institute and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus together with researchers of the Trans-National Asthma Genetics Consortium has discovered five new regions of the genome that increase the risk of asthma.

22 Dec 2017

Salk scientists find simpler way to derive functioning cardiac cells from stem cells

The process by which embryonic stem cells develop into heart cells is a complex process involving the precisely timed activation of several molecular pathways and at least 200 genes.

22 Dec 2017

Research provides insights into reactive and proactive aggression in childhood

Over the past few months, many local cases of assault and harassment have come to light and been widely discussed in the news, both here and in the U.S. and Europe.

21 Dec 2017

Multifunctional protein also plays role in development of blood cells

Like an actor who excels at both comedy and drama, proteins also can play multiple roles. Uncovering these varied talents can teach researchers more about the inner workings of cells.

21 Dec 2017

Novel drug shows promise in treating metastatic kidney cancer

Metastatic kidney cancer remains largely incurable. Despite a dozen treatments and several immunotherapies, survival rates beyond 5 years remain around 10 percent.

21 Dec 2017

Two studies show how cells adapt to stressors by reprogramming internal signaling networks

In a pair of publications, researchers have shown how cells adapt to stressors--like water loss--by reprogramming their internal signaling networks.

20 Dec 2017

Japanese researchers use pluripotent stem cells to reproduce higher-order kidney structures

In the embryonic kidney, three types of precursor cells, nephron progenitor cells, ureteric buds, and interstitial progenitor cells, interact to form three-dimensional structures of the kidney.

20 Dec 2017

Epigenetics: A New Tool for Forensic Detectives

Developing analytical methods can help the triers of fact, judges and juries, better understand the events surrounding the circumstances of a crime. In forensic analysis, we are talking about determining the identity of unknown individuals through DNA and using DNA and other chemical signatures to determine and clarify the circumstances of the crime.

From Pittcon 20 Dec 2017

UCLA researchers reveal reversibility of Friedreich's ataxia in mouse models

In children and adults with Friedreich's ataxia, an inherited disease that causes damage to the nervous system, a loss of coordination typically progresses to muscle weakness and can involve vision, diabetes, and other problems over the course of several years.

20 Dec 2017

Study identifies potential markers for early diagnosis, treatment of oral tongue cancer

Squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, also known as oral tongue cancer, is an aggressive form of cancer that generally affects older people. Patients with the disease often find it difficult to eat, swallow food, or speak.

19 Dec 2017

Scientists identify new genes that influence how the body regulates blood pressure

Researchers at the University of Georgia have identified several new genes that influence how the body regulates blood pressure. This may help scientists develop novel blood pressure treatments or even allow them to tailor prevention strategies for individuals based on their genes.

19 Dec 2017

KU researchers win $10.8 NIH grant to study cancer, neurological disorders, lung and heart diseases

The University of Kansas' Center for Molecular Analysis of Disease Pathways, a National Institutes of Health Center of Biomedical Research Excellence, recently earned a second phase of grant funding in the amount of $10.8 million for an additional five years.

19 Dec 2017

TSRI scientists uncover new insights into regulatory network behind axon termination

All things must come to an end. This is particularly true for neurons, especially the extensions called axons that transmit electrochemical signals to other nerve cells. Without controlled termination of individual neuron growth, the efficient and accurate construction of a nervous system is in serious jeopardy.

19 Dec 2017

Gene that could be associated with reduced pain response found

Researchers found an Italian family, the Marsilis that have six individuals who respond significantly differently to pain than others. This includes a 78-year-old lady and her two daughters and their three children.

18 Dec 2017

Longer life associated with optimism, stubborness and “love for land” finds study

A new study has shown that being stubborn and optimistic may be a key to long life. The researchers looked at nine villages in the Cilento region of southern Italy and found that hundreds of people there are over 90 years of age. They explored the reasons behind this longevity and found certain behavioral traits accounted for long life. The study was published this week in the journal International Psychogeriatrics.

17 Dec 2017

Rejected antibiotic candidate could be worth a second look, research finds

An antibiotic candidate compound shelved in the 1970s in favour of more worthwhile drugs could be worth a second look, new research has found.

15 Dec 2017

Long-term U-M study yields framework that could be useful for studying bipolar disorder

Nearly 6 million Americans have bipolar disorder, and most have probably wondered why. After more than a decade of studying over 1,100 of them in-depth, a University of Michigan team has an answer – or rather, seven answers.

15 Dec 2017

Genetic variations may help identify people at high-risk for chronic pain after surgery

Genetics may play a role in determining whether patients experience chronic pain after surgery, suggests a study published today in the Online First edition of Anesthesiology, the peer-reviewed medical journal of the American Society of Anesthesiologists

14 Dec 2017

Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Selenium protects specialized neurons from cell death during postnatal development

UAB study shows missense mutations as key risk factor for severe symptoms of neurofibromatosis type 1

Scientists discover five new regions of the genome that increase asthma risk

Salk scientists find simpler way to derive functioning cardiac cells from stem cells

Research provides insights into reactive and proactive aggression in childhood

Multifunctional protein also plays role in development of blood cells

Novel drug shows promise in treating metastatic kidney cancer

Two studies show how cells adapt to stressors by reprogramming internal signaling networks

Japanese researchers use pluripotent stem cells to reproduce higher-order kidney structures

Epigenetics: A New Tool for Forensic Detectives

UCLA researchers reveal reversibility of Friedreich's ataxia in mouse models

Study identifies potential markers for early diagnosis, treatment of oral tongue cancer

Scientists identify new genes that influence how the body regulates blood pressure

KU researchers win $10.8 NIH grant to study cancer, neurological disorders, lung and heart diseases

TSRI scientists uncover new insights into regulatory network behind axon termination

Gene that could be associated with reduced pain response found

Longer life associated with optimism, stubborness and “love for land” finds study

Rejected antibiotic candidate could be worth a second look, research finds

Long-term U-M study yields framework that could be useful for studying bipolar disorder

Genetic variations may help identify people at high-risk for chronic pain after surgery

Sequencing & Genomics: Elevating Science and Healthcare eBook

Real-time Raman monitoring for pharmaceutical hot melt extrusion

Synthetic Psychedelics: A Growing Public Health Concern

How the Vutara VXL simplifies single-molecule imaging