Articles tagged with Behavioral Genomics
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that genetic diversity within groups of fruit flies improves their ability to evade predators and forage more efficiently. The research team identified a key gene, Ptp99A, that regulates group behavior and promotes survival performance.
Researchers have found that psychedelic compounds can reverse a cascade involving brain-resident cells and immune cells, increasing fear behavior when chronic stress disrupts signaling. This finding represents a paradigm shift in understanding psychedelics' therapeutic potential.
A study of nearly 11,000 individuals found that men with panic disorder are more vulnerable to developing problematic drinking behaviors than women, potentially due to self-medication. The research highlights the need for sex-specific assessment and intervention strategies in treating comorbid conditions
A comprehensive dataset captures individual and group behaviors across genetically diverse strains of fruit flies, shedding light on how genes shape animal behavior. The study's findings have potential implications for mental health conditions with known or suspected genetic components.
A new study describes a case where long-read genomic sequencing (LRS) was used to diagnose RFX3 haplo-insufficiency syndrome in a patient with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability. The study highlights the potential benefits of genetic testing in psychiatric care, including expediting workups for inpatient patients.
Dr. Lutz's pioneering research combines genetic engineering, multiomics, and bioinformatics to understand epigenetic mechanisms underlying psychiatric conditions like addiction and depression. His work aims to bridge the gap between genomics and behavior.
A new perspective article suggests that integrating environmental effects into genetic research is crucial to understand the intricate nature of gene-environment interactions. The authors propose expanding genome-wide association studies by incorporating environmental data, which could help mitigate deterministic thinking in genetics.
Scientists have discovered that genes required for complex behaviors like learning, memory, and aggression originated around 650 million years ago. This finding has significant implications for understanding the evolutionary origin of these behaviors and their neural circuits.
HaoSheng Sun, assistant professor at University of Alabama at Birmingham, has been selected as a Freeman Hrabowski scholar by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. He will receive up to $8.6 million over 10 years to advance his research on neural development and plasticity.
The Zoonomia Project, involving over 150 collaborators, has cataloged the diversity in mammalian genomes by comparing DNA sequences from 240 species. The project reveals that transposable elements (TEs) are present in all placental mammals and have been transferred to bats via viruses.
The Hastings Center's new report provides direction for research and communications in social and behavioral genomics, highlighting both potential benefits and significant risks. The report recommends engaging with stakeholders, justifying population definitions and phenotype measurement, and conducting studies with adequate power.
Researchers identified over 1,000 genes with age-related methylation changes in human sperm. These changes are associated with increased offspring disease susceptibility for neurodevelopmental disorders. The study found no correlation between paternal BMI or semen quality and age-related methylation changes.
A recent study found that education about gene-by-environment interaction (G X E) causes of eating behaviors can positively affect attitudes toward people with higher weight. Participants who received G X E education reported higher empathy and held fewer stigmatizing attitudes.
Researchers used genomic data from over 4,000 dogs to identify 10 major lineages and behavioral traits that correlate with these lineages. The study found that genomic variations among dog breeds are related to the development of their nervous system, suggesting a link between canine and human brain function.
Researchers discovered that a single protein, Kr-h1, responds to socially regulated hormones to orchestrate the complex social transition in Harpegnathos saltator ants. The study reveals important roles for gene regulation and hormone response in controlling animal brains' plasticity.
A University of Houston researcher is using cutting-edge techniques to study how testosterone affects the brain and social behavior. Using genetically modified African cichlid fish, Beau Alward aims to identify the specific genes and neurons involved in these processes.
Researchers identify celastrol as a potential therapeutic target for treating winter depression, a condition characterized by low mood and social withdrawal. The study uses medaka fish as an animal model to understand the underlying mechanisms of winter depression.
Researchers at York University have identified a group of genes controlling hygienic behavior in honeybees, which helps to limit the spread of harmful mites and bacteria. These genes are associated with improved colony survival and may be used to breed healthier colonies through selective breeding programs.
Researchers found that octopuses, which are typically solitary and asocial, become more interested in interacting with each other when under the influence of MDMA. The study suggests that common molecular pathways enable serotonin to encode social behaviors in both humans and octopuses.
A new review article provides a novice-level introduction to applying molecular genomics techniques to study complex behavior. The guide recommends specific tools and collaborations for behavioral ecologists, aiming to bridge the gap between behaviorists and genome annotators.
Gene Robinson, a renowned expert in social behavior and genetics, has received the Animal Behavior Society's Distinguished Animal Behaviorist award. His groundbreaking work on the mechanisms and evolution of social behavior in Western honey bees has significantly advanced the field.
Researchers at Brandeis University discover that fruit flies use two forms of TRPA1 to sense warmth and chemicals, providing potential solutions for chronic pain and disease control. The study's findings have implications for developing bug sprays and traps to combat mosquito-borne diseases.
Ming T. Tsuang has been awarded the Lieber Prize for his groundbreaking research on schizophrenia, including identifying underlying causes of mental illnesses. His work aims to learn how to stop psychiatric disorders before they start.
The new Social and Behavioral Research Branch (SBRB) at NHGRI will focus on translating genomic discoveries into medical care and public health interventions. The SBRB's research portfolio will encompass four conceptual domains, including testing communications strategies and developing interventions aimed at reducing genetic risk.