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World first: First phase 3 trial of in vivo CRISPR therapy successfully completed CRISPR treatment comes one step closer to reality

A large-scale Phase 3 trial of CRISPR therapy has shown an 87% reduction in attacks for patients with hereditary angioedema. The treatment also improved quality-of-life scores and reduced the need for on-demand medication, paving the way for future genetic therapies.

SourceAmsterdam University Medical Center·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 13, 2026

University of Pittsburgh researchers discover unexpected chromosome interaction that fuels aggressive cancers

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine discovered an unexpected chromosome interaction between telomeres and centromeres in some aggressive cancers. This interaction creates a genetic signature that could help identify ALT-positive tumors, which are often challenging to treat due to genomic instability.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature·DateJun 3, 2026

Cold hands, warm heart — Body temperature a key factor in where TRPM4 mutations cause disease

Researchers discovered that body temperature plays a key role in which tissues are affected by TRPM4 ion channel mutations. The findings explain why disease-causing TRPM4 mutations lead to mutually exclusive conditions, such as severe skin diseases like PSEK and heart disorders like progressive familial heart block.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis Health·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 1, 2026

Mitochondria identified as key player in a rare disease causing microcephaly

A study led by Dr. Marco Milán identified mitochondria as a key player in a rare disease causing microcephaly, a condition where the brain develops to a smaller size. The researchers found that mitochondria dysfunction leads to proteotoxic stress, causing cells to accumulate errors in chromosome distribution, resulting in microcephaly.

Why are men more likely to develop multiple myeloma than women?

A new study published in CANCER found that men are more likely to have advanced disease and high myeloma load at diagnosis compared to women. Men were also less likely to have low bone mineral density and had different chromosomal abnormalities, which may contribute to the sex disparity in multiple myeloma risk.

SourceWiley·JournalCancer·DateJan 12, 2026

Discovery of plant reproductive success provides insights into human fertility

Scientists have discovered a protein called SCEP3 that ensures even chromosome segregation in plants, preventing infertility and genetic diseases. This finding has implications for plant breeding and understanding human fertility, with the equivalent gene SIX6OS1 potentially playing a role in promoting correct chromosome segregation.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalNature Plants·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 18, 2025

Stowers scientists identify the fusion point of Robertsonian chromosomes, hinting at how chromosomes evolve

Researchers at Stowers Institute for Medical Research have identified the precise location where human chromosomes break and recombine to form Robertsonian chromosomes. The study reveals that repetitive DNA sequences play a central role in genome organization and evolution, explaining how these rearrangements form and remain stable.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 24, 2025

Researchers zero in on genetic variant tied to miscarriages

Scientists have identified a gene variant directly linked to accelerated reproductive aging and early miscarriages in women. The discovery could provide valuable information for women considering reproduction, enabling them to make informed decisions about timing and fertility treatment.

SourceRutgers University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 21, 2024

Chromosome copying errors pinpointed in embryo development

Researchers at RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics found multiple specialized types of DNA replication in early-stage embryos, including a period of instability prone to chromosomal copying errors. This discovery could lead to improved methods of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and better strategies for minimizing chromosomal abnormalities.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature·DateAug 28, 2024

Sting operation out of gas

Researchers question whether micronuclei activate the cGAS-STING pathway, a key innate immune response to foreign nucleic acids. The study found that MN more commonly recognizes DNA during cell division without triggering STING activation.

SourceKyoto University·JournalLife Science Alliance·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2024

Moderation surpasses excess

The study identifies FAM53C as a cytosolic-anchoring inhibitory binding protein of the kinase DYRK1A, regulating its activity and cellular location. This finding may provide potential clinical insights into treating Down syndrome and related diseases.

SourceKyoto University·JournalLife Science Alliance·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 19, 2023

CityU and Asian Fund for Cancer Research sign MoU to jointly promote biomedical innovation and entrepreneurship; Harvard Medical School experts speak at the inaugural ‘Innovation Series in Biomedicine’ forum

CityU and AFCR have signed a MoU to promote cutting-edge cancer-related innovative inventions and commercialization. The partnership aims to foster the development of biomedicine and related innovation, with world-leading scholars from Harvard Medical School attending the inaugural 'Innovation Series in Biomedicine' forum.

Radiation damage to paternal DNA is passed on to offspring

Researchers discovered that radiation damage to paternal DNA is passed on to offspring through a highly error-prone repair mechanism. This leads to structural changes in the paternal chromosomes and causes developmental defects. Histone proteins play a crucial role in shielding damaged chromosomes from accurate repair.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalNature·TypeObservational study·DateDec 21, 2022

Genes & Cancer | Systems biology network reveals the correlation between COX-2 expression and Ch 7q copy number alterations in Ch 11q-deleted pediatric neuroblastoma tumors

Researchers analyzed COX-2 levels and segmental chromosome aberrations in pediatric neuroblastoma tumor samples. Positive correlations between pre-CT Ch 7q gain and COX-2 expression were found, as well as negative correlations between Ch 7q gain and Ch 11q deletion.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalGenes & Cancer·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 16, 2022

New technique could expand number of diseases detected by noninvasive prenatal testing

Researchers developed a method to detect small chromosomal deletions or duplications, such as Cri du Chat Syndrome and DiGeorge Syndrome, with a simple blood test. The new semiconductor sequencing platform can identify these abnormalities at an average gestational age of 24 weeks, reducing the need for invasive procedures.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 9, 2015

Intratumor morphological heterogeneity of cancer is not related to chromosome aberrations

Researchers found no correlation between breast cancer's different structures and chromosomal abnormalities, challenging the idea that genetic mutations drive tumor heterogeneity. Instead, they discovered specific genes contributing to each structure's formation, suggesting alternative mechanisms driving morphological diversity.

SourceNational Research Tomsk State University·JournalJournal of Clinical Pathology·DateSep 29, 2015

Discovery could improve in vitro fertilization success rates for women around the world

Researchers discovered that chromosomal abnormalities in human embryos can be predicted within the first 30 hours of development. This finding could improve IVF success rates, which have hovered around 30-35 percent worldwide. By analyzing a single cell level, they identified 12 genes that are activated prior to the first cell division.

SourceOregon Health & Science University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 7, 2015

Refining the language for chromosomes

Researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital propose a new Next-Gen Cytogenetic Nomenclature system to standardize chromosomal abnormality descriptions, improving clinical and research reports. The system focuses on nucleotide-level details, reducing errors and saving time in reporting.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateApr 17, 2014

Chromosome imbalances lead to predictable plant defects

A study by Purdue University researchers found that specific chromosome imbalances in plants can lead to predictable physical defects. The team used polyploid and aneuploid plants to identify easily measured characteristics associated with imbalanced chromosomes, offering insights into correcting genetic defects.

SourcePurdue University·JournalGenetics·DateNov 3, 2010