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Discovery of the oldest evidence of mobility on Earth

An international team has uncovered fossilized traces of motility in a 2.1 billion-year-old fossil deposit in Gabon, shedding light on the evolution of life on Earth. The discovery provides evidence of sophisticated multicellular organisms that could move through their mud in search of nutrients.

SourceCNRS·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 11, 2019

A study suggests that epigenetic treatments could trigger the development of aggressive tumours

A recent study published in Nature Cell Biology suggests that epigenetic treatments can alter the accumulation of mutations in tumors, potentially leading to more aggressive tumor growth. The researchers warn that these treatments should be used with caution and further studied before being used in clinical practice.

Unlocking the genome

A team led by Prof. Stein Aerts uncovers how access to relevant DNA regions is orchestrated in epithelial cells, shedding light on biological mechanisms of gene regulation and potential new avenues for cellular reprogramming. Grainyhead, a pioneer factor, acts as a key that can be used to access specific DNA regions.

Researchers use cigarette smoking behavior to identify genes that regulate blood pressure

Researchers identified dozens of genetic variations affecting blood pressure by analyzing cigarette smoking behavior in a large cohort. The study confirms the role of known genes and identifies novel ones associated with blood pressure regulation, offering potential for individually targeted treatments.

SourceNIH/National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute·JournalAmerican Journal of Human Genetics·DateMar 1, 2018

Mixing and matching yeast DNA

Researchers at Osaka University have identified distinct factors regulating crossover-type recombination at yeast centromeres and non-centromeres. The study suggests that centromeres are protected from chromosomal rearrangements due to specific proteins, ensuring DNA fidelity.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateSep 11, 2017

Mapping the 'dark matter' of human DNA

A study has identified over 1.9 million variants affecting multiple DNA 'letters', clarifying part of the human genome's unknown regions. These findings enable researchers to predict the occurrence of large structural changes and discover new genes, such as a previously unknown ZNF gene present in half of the Dutch population.

SourceSaarland University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 7, 2016

Reading between the genes

Researchers at TUM and MPI have developed a method to identify active regulatory DNA regions controlling genes. This breakthrough enables scientists to study how genes are controlled in different cell types, shedding light on gene regulation and its role in diseases.

Do genes express themselves through poetry?

Researchers at Michigan State University have discovered that DNA's regulatory regions resemble a poetic language, composed of coding and regulatory elements. By analyzing variants of a key protein and applying mathematical models, the team was able to identify conserved properties in other sequences, enabling them to 'read' the genome.

NYU research: Shedding light on genetic switches

A new study by NYU researchers identifies molecular switches that turn on gene expression in the notochord, a precursor to the backbone. The team used a marine organism called Ciona and found that specific transcription factors bind DNA sequences, known as CRMs, to control gene expression.

SourceNew York University·JournalPLOS Genetics·DateJan 28, 2016

Maintaining healthy DNA delays menopause

An international study of nearly 70,000 women found that genes involved in DNA repair play a crucial role in determining when a woman enters menopause. The research also confirmed a link between earlier menopause and lower breast cancer risk, with increased risk associated with delayed menopause.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Genetics·DateSep 28, 2015