Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Salk professor awarded $950,000 NSF grant to explore how the brain processes complex sounds

Salk Associate Professor Tatyana Sharpee has been awarded a grant of approximately $950,000 over 4 years by the National Science Foundation to study how the brain processes complex sounds. This grant is part of a multi-national project together with groups in France and Israel.

7 Sep 2017

Exploration of human genetics reveals new targets to combat heart disease

Again and again, it's the rare among humans that help the rest of us. The exploration of human genetics is revealing new targets to combat heart disease among atypical variants. Mutations in genes that play a role in heart health are the inspiration for a cluster of new heart drugs.

7 Sep 2017

Study reveals how changes in gene can lead to blindness in middle age

Blindness study shows how gene causes middle-age sight loss. Chemical changes in the eye that can lead to blindness have been identified by scientists, a conference has heard.

6 Sep 2017

Genetic risk for obesity influenced by lifestyle, study shows

The risk for developing obesity is influenced by our lifestyle as well as our genes. In a new study from Uppsala University, researchers show that our genetic risk for obesity is not static, but is influenced by our lifestyle. Results from the study have been published in the scientific journal PLOS Genetics.

6 Sep 2017

Study reveals link between increased height and blood clots in vein

A new study published in the Circulation: Cardiovascular Genetics – a journal of the American Heart Association – suggested that there is an increased probability of developing blood clots in the veins with an increase in height.

6 Sep 2017

Split-brain study using fruit fly provides better understanding of autism

A better understanding of the cause of autism may come from an unlikely source, neurological studies of the fruit fly.

6 Sep 2017

Novel, ultra-rare damaging genetic variants may contribute to eating disorders

By combining whole exome sequencing, machine learning, and network analysis, researchers have identified new, ultra-rare gene mutations within specific biological pathways that may contribute to eating disorders.

5 Sep 2017

Largest ever genetic study paves way for potential osteoporosis treatment

Scientists are honing in on a potential treatment for osteoporosis, after performing the largest ever genetic study of the common age-related bone-thinning disease.

5 Sep 2017

Researchers identify gene variants linked to both type 2 diabetes and CHD risk

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) has become a global epidemic affecting more than 380 million people worldwide; yet there are knowledge gaps in understanding the etiology of type-2 diabetes.

4 Sep 2017

Genetics of circadian rhythms found to have effect on migraine

People with a specific variation in the CLOCK gene have more migraines under financial stress. This work, the first time that the genetics of circadian rhythms has been shown to have an effect on migraine, is presented at the ECNP conference in Paris.

4 Sep 2017

Existing drug may one day protect premenopausal women from infertility after cancer treatments

An existing drug may one day protect premenopausal women from life-altering infertility that commonly follows cancer treatments, according to a new study.

1 Sep 2017

Mutations altering gene function play role in development of intellectual disabilities

Intellectual disabilities are often caused by a mutation that damages a gene, preventing the associated protein from functioning properly.

1 Sep 2017

Researchers perform first-ever clinical trial involving genetic screening for Parkinson’s disease

In the first ever clinical investigation involving genetic screening for Parkinson's disease, researchers are testing whether the presence of a specific genetic mutation identifies which patients are the best candidates for deep brain stimulation surgery, and whether neurologists should perform that procedure differently based on that genetic information.

1 Sep 2017

Scientists question CRISPR human embryo editing claims

A paper published in the journal Nature on the 2nd August described how a gene editing tool CRISPR could be used to correct a genetic mutation that leads to a heart condition. This team had performed the genetic editing on the gene sequences in dozens of viable human embryos to attempt to prevent a genetic heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

31 Aug 2017

50% of men struggle to identify a woman’s vagina correctly on a diagram: Survey

A recent survey by a gynaecological cancer charity has shown that nearly half of the men could not identify a woman’s vagina correctly on a diagram.

31 Aug 2017

Study identifies unexpected mosaic mutations as new risk factor for developing autism

Autism spectrum disorder affects approximately one out of every 68 children in the United States. Despite expansive study, the origin and risk factors of the complex condition are not fully understood.

31 Aug 2017

Link found between fetal genes and risk of preeclampsia in mother

For the first time, a relationship has been found between fetal genes and the risk of preeclampsia in the mother.

31 Aug 2017

UAB researchers reveal key role for RSF1 protein in silencing genes

A fertilized human egg develops into multiple tissues, organs and about 200 distinct cell types. Each cell type has the same genes, but they are expressed differently during development and in mature cells.

31 Aug 2017

Human ancestors responsible for transmitting ancient strains of herpesvirus, study finds

An international study of integrated HHV-6 has discovered that a small number of human ancestors, one from about 24,000 years ago, have been responsible for transmitting ancient strains of the virus to individuals today - affecting about a million people in the UK alone.

30 Aug 2017

Genetics of digestion stayed remarkably the same from fishes to humans, research shows

Scientists have discovered a network of genes and genetic regulatory elements in the lining of the intestines that has stayed remarkably the same from fishes to humans. Many of these genes are linked to human illnesses, such as inflammatory bowel diseases, diabetes and obesity.

30 Aug 2017