Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

Review highlights next-generation cancer therapies targeting PIK3CA mutations

A newly published review in Genes & Diseases explores the oncogenic activation of PIK3CA in cancer and highlights emerging targeted therapies designed to improve treatment efficacy while reducing side effects.

25 Feb 2025

New insights into mTOR pathway offer hope for diabetic nephropathy treatment

A newly published study in Genes & Diseases highlights the crucial role of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway in the progression of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and explores its potential as a therapeutic target.

25 Feb 2025

Genetic study demonstrates fat-selective weight loss with GLP-1 agonist use

Diabetes and obesity have become pressing health issues worldwide. Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists, a class of medications widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D), have shown significant effectiveness in both lowering blood sugar levels and aiding weight loss due to their unique pharmacological mechanisms.

25 Feb 2025

Machine learning algorithm decodes immune system’s hidden data for disease detection

Your immune system harbors a lifetime's worth of information about threats it's encountered - a biological Rolodex of baddies.

24 Feb 2025

New AI tool measures brain aging speed and predicts cognitive health

A new artificial intelligence model measures how fast a patient's brain is aging and could be a powerful new tool for understanding, preventing and treating cognitive decline and dementia, according to USC researchers.

24 Feb 2025

Study unlocks key differences in heart inflammation

A group of Berlin researchers in collaboration with international scientists have found differences in heart inflammation caused by COVID-19, anti-COVID-19 vaccination, and non-COVID-19 myocarditis.

24 Feb 2025

High GATA6 expression predicts improved outcomes in pancreatic cancer

This new review article highlights the crucial role of GATA6, a transcription factor, in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA). The article explores GATA6's dual role in cancer progression and its potential as a biomarker and treatment target.

24 Feb 2025

Study unravels the complex interplay of the UPS in cancer development and treatment

A new review published in Genes & Diseases explores the pivotal role of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in regulating the tumor microenvironment (TME) and driving cancer progression. The study provides novel insights into how ubiquitination and deubiquitination impact tumor cells, immune responses, and potential therapeutic strategies for cancer treatment.

24 Feb 2025

Unveiling the role of FAM20C in disease and cancer treatment

A new review published in Genes & Diseases explores the multifaceted role of FAM20C, a Golgi protein kinase, in disease progression.

23 Feb 2025

Aging isn’t just in your genes—your environment plays a bigger role, study shows

Study explores the relative contributions of genetics and environmental factors to aging and premature mortality. It highlights how the exposome—lifetime environmental exposures—shapes disease risks, with socioeconomic status, smoking, and lifestyle choices emerging as key aging determinants.

23 Feb 2025

New photosensitizer shows promise in treating colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a highly malignant disease that readily metastasizes to vital organs. Many strategies have been employed for clinical CRC therapy.

22 Feb 2025

Exploring the dual role of LKB1 in tumor suppression and promotion

Mutations in serine-threonine kinase 11 (STK11) and liver kinase B1 (LKB1) are associated with disease progression in Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS), which can progress to cancer.

22 Feb 2025

Characterizing the spectrum of mitochondrial DNA deletion disease syndromes

Researchers from the Mitochondrial Medicine Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) have better characterized a spectrum of what were classically considered discrete mitochondrial DNA deletion disease syndromes.

21 Feb 2025

LUC7 proteins play crucial role in efficient RNA splicing

RNA splicing is a cellular process that is critical for gene expression. After genes are copied from DNA into messenger RNA, portions of the RNA that don't code for proteins, called introns, are cut out and the coding portions are spliced back together.

21 Feb 2025

Key research priorities for understanding and treating appendiceal cancer

Appendiceal cancer is a rare cancer without standardized screening guidelines, risk factors or tumor classifications - a situation that often results in late diagnosis and poor prognosis.

21 Feb 2025

Scientists uncover hidden genetic causes of congenital heart disease

Scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and collaborators have identified novel genetic interactions that may contribute to congenital heart disease (CHD), a common birth defect.

20 Feb 2025

CPRIT awards nearly $23 million to MD Anderson for cancer research projects

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center today was awarded nearly $23 million from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) in support of 20 cancer research projects to advance new breakthroughs in discovery, translational, clinical and prevention science.

20 Feb 2025

Blood immune cells found to impact cancer survival

The immune systems of cancer patients are highly disrupted, with those who have a higher number of immune cells in their blood having a better survival rate, finds a new study that uses a pioneering technique developed by researchers at UCL and the Francis Crick Institute.

20 Feb 2025

Younger people more susceptible to nicotine addiction than middle-aged adults

People in their late teens and early 20s may be more sensitive to nicotine and more susceptible to nicotine addiction than middle aged adults, according to a new study in mice from researchers in the Penn State Department of Biobehavioral Health.

20 Feb 2025

Unlocking the potential of double negative memory B cells in cancer treatment

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center scientists have discovered a novel subset of cancer-fighting immune cells that reside outside of their normal neighborhood – known as the tertiary lymphoid structure – where they become frustratingly dysfunctional when in close contact with tumors.

19 Feb 2025