Articles tagged with Functional Genomics
This special issue explores the formation, evolution, and maintenance of biological diversity across all branches of the tree of life. Researchers can submit papers on topics such as speciation, adaptive evolution, and eco-evolutionary feedbacks, with a focus on developing a unified evolutionary framework for understanding biodiversity.
Researchers have developed a novel genome engineering method called prime assembly, which enables long DNA fragments to be stitched into precise target positions within living cells. This approach may allow for the development of universal gene therapies that can apply to many patients.
Researchers discovered a strong link between environmental variation and thyroid hormone signaling in reef fish, enabling them to adapt to changing habitats. The study found that habitat impacts development by altering gene expression and metabolic profiles, giving animals more flexibility when their environments change.
The Neandertal growth hormone receptor has been found to increase muscle mass in people today, with carriers having around 270 grams more muscle mass on average. This effect is most pronounced in individuals of South and East Asian descent.
Researchers have identified a widespread source of error in a popular genome study method and created a machine-learning tool to correct it. PATTY uses machine learning to reduce artifacts while preserving real signals in noisy data, giving researchers a clearer view of gene activity control.
The partnership aims to develop genomic tools addressing large-scale problems in health and the environment, combining research strengths across UC San Diego's departments. The collaboration will accelerate discovery and drive real-world impact, leveraging CRISPR technology and microbiome-editing tools.
A new study by Sanford Burnham Prebys found that bolstering the SORLA protein can reduce tau tangle toxicity, a common culprit in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative disorders. This suggests potential as a therapeutic strategy for treating these conditions.
Scientists identified 81 previously unrecognized cancer-driving genes in basal-like breast cancer, a subset with poor outcomes. The discovery expands understanding of chromosomal rearrangements and opens possibilities for targeted therapy.
A study by John Innes Centre researchers reveals that inner tissues play a crucial role in shaping plant organs, contradicting the widespread assumption that external layers control growth. By analyzing cell division orientation and gene editing techniques, they discovered genes affecting stem thickness in Arabidopsis.
Researchers have discovered a previously underappreciated mechanism that helps immune cells respond rapidly to infections by altering RNA splicing. This study provides new insights into immune-mediated diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, and may lead to more targeted therapies.
Researchers analyzed brain tissue from MSA patients and found that the immune cells known as microglia appear to be exhausted or dysfunctional in later stages of the disease. The study suggests that an overactive immune system may contribute to the development of MSA, providing a potential target for future treatment.
Researchers at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center have made significant advancements in cancer care, including the development of a targeted RAS inhibitor therapy for pancreatic cancer and a biomarker of chemotherapy resistance in relapsed lung cancer. The studies also explore the tumor microenvironment of triple-negative breast cancer and i...
Researchers have developed DEGU, a tool that improves the accuracy and efficiency of deep neural networks in predicting genomic experiment results. DEGU reduces the size of models while maintaining predictive capabilities, making it easier to understand uncertainty and drive reliable discoveries.
A study by RIKEN researchers identifies a MYCN-driven biomarker that predicts the risk of liver cancer. The biomarker, known as the MYCN niche score, uses machine learning to analyze gene expression patterns and indicates whether a tumor-free liver is at high risk for developing tumors.
Research from Salk Institute scientists shows that DNA's dynamic folding process affects gene regulation and expression, with specific regions unfolding at different rates to regulate cell type-specific functions.
A zebrafish model was used to test the functional significance of rare SMN1 variants in children with false positive SMA diagnoses. The research found that both variants were functional and did not cause the disease. This breakthrough could prevent unnecessary SMA therapies and provide families with security.
A research team has developed a 'SUPER' platform that utilizes synthetic small RNAs as add-on controllers for genetic switches. This technology enhances the performance and stability of gene regulatory devices by addressing the issue of 'leakage', where genes continue to express at low levels even in the 'OFF' state.
A research team at Goethe University Frankfurt has compiled a catalog of human E3 ligases and mapped their relationships, revealing family-specific functions. The study identifies 40 additional E3 ligases suitable for PROTAC development, expanding the range of tissues and diseases targeted by degradation therapies.
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia researchers have developed a method to help cancer immunotherapies reach 'invisible' tumors. HLA-Shuttle is an engineered protein complex that restores antigen presentation in immunologically 'cold' neuroblastoma cells, identifying previously unknown targets across 30 genes linked to neuroblastoma.
Researchers at The Hospital for Sick Children have identified a non-coding gene called CISTR-ACT that regulates cell size. By exploring its molecular mechanism, the team found that CISTR-ACT guides a protein called FOSL2 to bind to other genes, controlling cell growth and development.
Researchers at Arizona State University introduce powerful tools to analyze microbial family trees and biological data, strengthening microbiome research, disease tracking and environmental monitoring. The new software library scikit-bio provides a foundation for analyzing large biological datasets.
Researchers develop comprehensive method to connect diseases with underlying genetic machinery, revealing intricate gene networks that influence complex traits. The new technique provides actionable insights into how specific genes affect cell functions, shedding light on biological mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.
Researchers developed a new suite of statistical methods to pinpoint DNA changes responsible for important traits in livestock. The work addresses challenges in fine-mapping, especially in populations with closely related animals, and introduces tools that incorporate 'relatedness-adjusted' genomic correlations.
A recent study found thousands of missing transcripts in people from non-European populations, potentially leading to new insights into disease risk and genetic variations. The study highlights a lack of global representation in current gene maps, built largely from European DNA sequences.
Researchers at University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center discover that inflammation is responsible for driving the earliest stages of lung cancer, identifying potential targets for early intervention and suggesting a promising approach to intercepting lung cancer development.
A new bioinformatics-based method, fDOG, has been developed to search for genes with certain functions, including those involved in plant cell wall degradation. The study reveals a detailed global map of enzymes capable of degrading plant cell walls, with surprising discoveries among fungi and animals.
Researchers have finally pinned down the genomic, epigenomic, and cellular landscape of the enigmatic arrow worm, connecting its unique genetic markup to specialized cell-types. The study reveals an unprecedented rate of gene genesis and duplication, as well as a unique method of chromosomal organization.
A recent study reveals that ORC2 subunit regulates epigenetics and gene expression by compacting chromatin and attracting repressive histone marks at some sites, but activating gene expression at others. This regulation also prevents CTCF binding at certain sites, leading to changes in chromatin structure and gene expression.
HTGAnalyzer is an automated tool simplifying complex transcriptomic workflows, enabling clinicians without bioinformatics expertise to perform essential analyses in precision medicine. The tool has been validated using multiple datasets and identified differentially expressed genes linked to cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.
Researchers identify two human brain genes that contribute to brain size and synapse signaling in zebrafish, providing a roadmap for discovering more genes. The study's findings have significant implications for understanding language disorders and autism.
Researchers discovered that MER11 sequences, once thought as genetic junk, play powerful roles in regulating gene expression. The team used a new method to classify these elements and found they can activate gene expression in human stem cells and early-stage neural cells.
Researchers developed tomoseqr, a user-friendly software to estimate 3D spatial gene expression distribution. The software successfully reproduced known gene expression patterns and mapped the 3D spatial distribution of genes in zebrafish and planarians.
The Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s initiative is launching a new funding opportunity to support collaborative research teams focused on understanding Parkinson’s disease heterogeneity across six focus areas. The grants will provide up to $3 million per year over three years.
Scientists have mapped the global repertoire of genes that determine the male or female sexual fates in Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasites. This study reveals key regulators of gene expression during development and identifies novel candidate 'driver' genes, shedding light on the complex biology of malaria transmission.
Researchers have created the first spatial map of malaria infection in the mouse liver using Spatial Transcriptomics and single-cell RNA-sequencing. This discovery sheds light on the parasite's lifecycle, revealing changes in host cell gene expression near infected areas.
Professor Helle Ulrich will investigate how a small regulatory protein called ubiquitin contributes to DNA replication and repair, and decipher how cells direct different pathways. The ERC Advanced Grant aims to gain a deeper mechanistic understanding of ubiquitin's function in preventing mutations that can cause ageing and cancer.
Gladstone scientists have created an intricate map of how the immune system functions, examining the detailed molecular structures governing human T cells. This study will accelerate the development of new and better therapies for cancer and autoimmune diseases.
The study reveals that approximately half of examined transcription factors possess distinct binding sequences for specific cell types. MOCCS profiles also predict the effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms on DNA binding of transcription factors.
Researchers at the Marine Biological Laboratory have devised a method to precisely alter rotifer genomes using CRISPR-Cas9, enabling the study of fundamental biology and evolution. The new approach will allow scientists to investigate various aspects of biology, including aging, DNA repair mechanisms, and mitochondrial function.
Professor Coppedè's appointment aims to enhance the journal's focus on cutting-edge genomics research, covering topics like genome sequencing and functional genomics. He will lead Current Genomics to greater success by staying at the forefront of genomics discoveries and advancements.
Scientists using popular computational tools to interpret AI predictions are picking up too much 'noise' when analyzing DNA. Researchers have found a way to fix this by applying a new line of code, leading to more reliable explanations and potentially unlocking the next breakthrough in health and medicine.
A new study in Cell Systems explores the benefits of using multiple data types in drug discovery. Gene expression and cell morphology provide complementary information for drug prioritization, advancing drug discovery, functional genomics, and precision medicine.
Researchers at Osaka University analyzed data from over 200 health-related traits and diseases in an Asian population to identify specific genomic loci related to medical indications. The study found 14,000 genomic loci of phenotypic significance, including 5,000 novel discoveries.
Researchers at Yale University have developed a way to safeguard individual genetic information while maintaining the advantages of open data exchange. The approach enables scientists to preserve most genetic data for analysis while restricting access to identifiable information.
A study demonstrates that it's possible to de-identify raw data in functional genomics studies to ensure patient privacy, but also shows how this can be breached through simple means like DNA from a discarded coffee cup
Researchers have developed a new file format for functional genomics data that enables data sharing while protecting personal information of research participants. The format reduces leakage and promotes collaboration in the field.
The study found that metformin significantly reduced food intake and body weight gain by inhibiting neuropeptide Y expression in the hypothalamus. Metformin also improved lipid metabolism by reducing plasma low-density lipoprotein levels.
An international consortium, led by Professor Dominique Gauguier, aims to understand the complex causes of coronary artery disease (CAD) and develop effective treatments. The project will use advanced genomics techniques to identify biomarkers for predicting CAD risk factors, offering insights into disease diagnosis and prevention.
A team of NYU biologists has identified a gene, mel-28, that plays a crucial role in coordinating two cellular processes: chromosome segregation and nuclear envelope function. The study, published in Current Biology, used functional genomic tools to reveal the dual role of mel-28 in these processes.
The study highlights the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors in determining human aging. While there is no single gene responsible for aging, genetics account for approximately 25% of how a person ages, with stress, environment, nutrition, lifestyle, and immunity also playing significant roles.
Researchers at NYU's Center for Comparative Functional Genomics have developed a diagram for the early stages of embryo formation in C. elegans, suggesting a core set of less than 1,000 genes are required for coordination. This finding may provide new insights into human embryogenesis and cancer research.
The NIAID's new center will support research on three to 10 important pathogens over the next three years. It will develop new technologies for analyzing gene function, train researchers, and provide resources for the scientific community. The center aims to better understand individual genes and proteins to develop targeted treatments.