Researchers at Mayo Clinic Cancer Center developed a machine learning algorithm that integrates genetic data from over 5,000 patients to predict patient benefit from chemotherapy and immunotherapy. A 32-gene molecular signature was identified, providing prognostic information and predicting patient response to immunotherapy.
University of Illinois researchers found a key gene responsible for increasing soybean protein content by approximately 2%. The discovery could lead to significant increases in protein production, addressing global food security issues. However, the gene's function is unclear and may involve the plant's circadian machinery.
Researchers at San Diego State University have discovered a novel way bacteria infect cells by producing long threads, which grows up to 100 times the size of a bacterium in 30 hours. This mechanism allows the bacteria to rapidly infect multiple cells and access more nutrients for growth.
The Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization has awarded more than $143,000 to three projects led by researchers in the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Veterinary Medicine. Guri Johal is developing a corn variant that could impact worldwide corn production with Trask funds supporting his project on clon...
A team of researchers at UMass Amherst identified the specific genes responsible for growth suppression in maize flowers, including GRASSY TILLERS1 and RAMOSA3. These findings provide insights into the evolution of life on earth and have implications for plant breeding, benefiting humans from apples to corn.
Researchers identified seven rare structural variants affecting 31 genes in severely ill COVID-19 patients, shedding light on individual responses to the virus. These genetic variations may help explain differences in illness severity and suggest potential targets for early intervention.
A study led by Clemson University geneticist Allison Hickman has identified 11 high-priority genes associated with uterine cancer. These genes are potential targets for drug therapies, offering new hope for effective treatment options.
A team of researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute and ETH Zurich have developed a computational approach to identify genomic safe harbors (GSHs) with high potential for safe insertion of therapeutic genes. The study validated two GSH sites in adoptive T cell therapies and in vivo gene therapies for skin diseases.
Researchers found that some people's genes determine whether they store fat in a 'favourable' or 'unfavourable' way, affecting their risk of diseases. Even those with 'favourable adiposity' are still at risk for certain health issues.
A new study published in Mammalian Biology analyzed the life history data of 13 North Atlantic right whales using genetic samples and photo identification. The researchers found that four calves previously thought to be dead survived, revealing a significant variation in calf separation time from mothers and physical development.
A new machine learning model, RefMap, has identified 690 genetic risk factors for motor neurone disease, a five-fold increase from previous estimates. This discovery could lead to the development of new treatments and personalized medicine for patients with MND.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have identified a specific gene variant that protects against severe COVID-19 infection, found in individuals of African ancestry. The study analyzed 2,787 hospitalized patients and 130,997 people from six cohort studies, revealing an 80% prevalence of the protective variant among Africans.
Researchers have identified a previously unknown gene, goldentouch, responsible for the golden coloration in Midas cichlids. The gene, found on chromosome 11, is present in two variants: one associated with dark coloration and the other with orange/yellow coloration.
The Sanford Children's Genomic Medicine Consortium has initiated a whole genome sequencing research project to investigate undiagnosed illnesses in children with suspected inborn errors of immunity. The study aims to sequence the genomes of up to 25 patient genomes and learn information that can benefit patients and others.
A team of researchers at George Washington University identified a gene that determines whether ultraviolet iridescence appears in the wings of butterflies. Removing this gene from non-iridescent species leads to UV coloration in their wings, highlighting its critical role in evolutionary differences between species.
Researchers from Monash University have developed a method to determine which genes are responsible for congenital heart disease (CHD). The technique identified 35 new genes not previously suspected in the disease, opening the way for more accurate pre-natal genetic testing.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have identified a key class of genetic changes associated with cancer, which may be missed by current gene expression analyses. These 'hub genes' play a central role in shaping the network structure of cancer cells and could serve as new targets for targeted gene therapy.
A study published in PNAS found that individuals with severe schizophrenia have a higher number of rare mutations than those with typical forms of the illness. This discovery could lead to more precise treatments for this chronic disease, which affects over 3 million Americans.
Researchers have identified the specific genetic regulatory elements responsible for Hydra head regeneration, showing that dynamic chromatin remodeling and transcription factor motifs play a crucial role. This discovery sheds light on the complex developmental processes involved in this remarkable regenerative ability.
A new Northwestern study reveals that brain motor neurons degenerate early in diseases like ALS, sending warning signals and showing defects. Targeting the brain's motor neurons could lead to long-term and effective treatment strategies.
Researchers at The Wistar Institute have identified genes that help ovarian cancer evade the immune system. These findings could lead to more effective immunotherapy for ovarian and other types of cancer.
Scientists from Okayama University have identified the genes that cause pesticide sensitivity in sorghum, a superfood grain. The study reveals that these genes are involved in plant defense mechanisms and could help develop crops that can be grown safely with organophosphate treatment.
Researchers developed a novel model to identify specific genes and genetic alterations in multiple myeloma, stratifying the cancer's severity via DNA and RNA sequencing. This model revealed diverse subtypes and high-risk patients beyond current classifications.
Researchers have identified thousands of novel brain-expressed gene isoforms, revealing a complex web of protein production in the brain. The study suggests that genes expressed in the brain may produce far more proteins than previously thought, with potential implications for diseases such as Alzheimer's and schizophrenia.
A new gene called Tango10 has been identified as critical for daily behavioral rhythms, modulating the activity of neurons to drive the animal's sleep-wake cycle. The study suggests that targeting this molecular pathway could lead to therapeutics to address sleep problems and related human diseases.
Researchers at CNIC have identified the essential role of GPR126 in placental development, revealing its critical function in fetal growth and viability. The study also highlights a possible link between GPR126 dysfunction and pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia.
A new study by USC researchers uses a genetic technology to analyze gene expression signatures of individual cancer cells from patients with leukemia. The findings show that cancer cells with distinct gene expression profiles tend to grow in different organs, while those with specific genes are more resistant to chemotherapy.
A new study finds that genetic testing for cardiomyopathies and arrhythmias simultaneously can detect conditions more accurately than single-condition tests. This leads to better diagnosis and treatment options, such as targeted therapies and monitoring devices.
An international team sequenced 3,366 chickpea lines from 60 countries, identifying 29,870 genes, including 1,582 novel ones. The study provides a complete picture of genetic variation within chickpea and validated roadmap for improvement.
Researchers have identified genetic risk factors associated with SOX5 and CHST3 genes, key regulators of intervertebral disc development, linked to spine osteoarthritis. The study reveals a strong correlation between degeneration of intervertebral discs and spine OA, as well as links to back pain, knee, hip, and neck/shoulder pain.
A new study identifies four novel obesity genes and predicts a fifth, using a platform of fat fruit flies. The research found that these genes are involved in a neuronal signaling pathway that increases fat levels.
Recent research highlights microglia's involvement in Alzheimer's development and progression. A better understanding of microglial dysfunction may help explore signs and mechanisms of the disease, as well as enable microglia as a potential therapeutic target.
An international team of researchers identified genes associated with plant survival in the Atacama Desert, a harsh environment in Chile. These findings may help scientists breed crops that can thrive in increasingly dry climates and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Researchers have identified key genes involved in osteoarthritis, a leading cause of pain and disability worldwide. The study, conducted on over 800,000 individuals, sheds light on the genetic factors contributing to the disease and may pave the way for new treatments.
A research team from the University of Zurich has identified a common genetic variant in the AQP1 gene that affects treatment efficacy and patient survival on peritoneal dialysis. Patients carrying this variant have a higher risk of death, but researchers found a way to circumvent the problem using colloid osmotic agents.
A new study identifies 13 genes as key factors in shaping physical fitness through various forms of exercise. Genetic differences account for up to 72% of the variation in muscle strength improvements.
A new list of 546 expert-curated pathogenic variants in 84 genes has been developed for use in next-generation sequencing (NGS) genetic testing. This curated resource addresses the complexities of large assays and provides a scalable solution for test developers and laboratories.
Researchers found that wild and hatchery coho salmon demonstrate different genetic markers for negative assortment, a common finding in mating. They are now trying to emulate the natural mating of coho salmon in a hatchery environment using genetic profile information.
The University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science has sequenced the genome of the blue crab, revealing approximately 24,000 genes and a genome length that is one third of the human genome. This breakthrough will aid in fisheries policies, aquaculture, and potentially track food source origins.
Researchers at the University of Virginia Health System have identified 14 genes that can cause and three that can prevent weight gain, offering a promising lead in developing new treatments for obesity. The findings were made using a worm model of obesity and automation to test hundreds of genes.
Salt stress alters legume responses to symbiotic rhizobacteria by modulating gene expression. Several genes with well-characterized functions in nodulation are highly induced under salt stress, making the plant hypersensitive to bacterial signals.
Scientists identified a rare genetic condition affecting prenatal development, leading to lifelong disabilities in children. They discovered a potential method to prevent the condition by administering a drug during pregnancy, which boosted Wnt signaling and restored normal growth in mouse embryos.
A team of Harvard researchers created an integrated pipeline, STAMPScreen, to help genetic engineers identify target genes and perform screening studies. The protocol combines computational tools with lab experiments to quickly and efficiently test gene function in living cells.
A UCL-led research team has discovered a new gene causing hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, an inherited heart condition. The study found that variants in the ALPK3 gene are responsible for 1-2% of adults with the condition, affecting approximately 1,250-2,500 people in the UK.
A team of scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory has identified a key component of the assembly line responsible for oil droplet formation. The study suggests new ways to engineer plant tissues for increased oil accumulation, which could lead to sustainable oils for biofuels and other commodity products.
Researchers analyzed facial asymmetry in 5000 points of 192 parents of autistic children and found they had more asymmetric faces than other adults. This study contributes to understanding the genetic causes of autism, which are known to play a major role in the condition.
The study found that the Wntless (Wls) gene plays a critical role in heart regeneration in mice by facilitating signal molecule secretion from cardiomyocytes to cardiac fibroblasts. This promotes heart functional recovery by suppressing CF activation and reducing scar formation.
Researchers used functional genomics to identify key genes involved in inducing callus from immature maize embryos, overcoming a major roadblock in plant breeding. The study found that nearly 30% of predicted A188 genes were structurally different from other maize lines, accounting for high protein divergence and phenotypic variations.
A recent study has identified nearly half of the fastest-evolving human genes as playing a crucial role in rewriting the course of human brain development. The research used an innovative approach called CaptureMPRA to analyze the function of Human Accelerated Regions (HARs) in regulating gene expression in the brain.
Researchers at McGill University have developed a new way to track genetically modified animals using artificial transgenes. The discovery provides a powerful tool for locating and managing escaped or released GM animals.
Researchers from Nara Institute of Science and Technology and Nanjing University discovered a small protein, KNUCKLES, that plays multiple roles in ensuring the correct timing of floral development. This discovery reveals a regulatory pathway where KNUCKLES supports the completion of floral meristem development within a short time window.
A study published by the European Society of Human Genetics found that genetic testing can identify the cause of childhood epilepsy in half of those studied, allowing for tailored treatments. This breakthrough discovery has the potential to improve treatment possibilities and avoid unnecessary procedures.
A recent study found that genetic risk scores can help diagnose epilepsy in individuals with a single seizure, distinguishing them from those with other causes. The researchers analyzed data from over 9,600 individuals with epilepsy-related diagnoses and found a significant correlation between genetic risk and epilepsy diagnosis.
A genetic analysis of humans and rhesus macaques identified the NPSR1 gene as a risk factor for endometriosis. The study found that rare variants in this gene are associated with stage III/IV disease, leading to potential nonhormonal treatment targets for improved therapy.
A reservoir of genes allowing sorghum to adapt to environmental stresses has been identified from 13 contrasting genomes. This genetic diversity is valuable for breeders, enabling them to improve crop yield and resilience. The analysis, led by the University of Queensland, provides unprecedented insights into the genome's dynamic nature.
The new MIC-Drop technology enables rapid evaluation of hundreds of genes in a single experiment, improving large-scale genetic studies. Researchers can identify essential genes for healthy heart development and function.
Researchers completed the first genetic sequencing of a Brazilian snake's genome, revealing that most toxin genes likely arose from existing functions in ancestral species. The study identified markers for comparing toxin genes with non-toxic 'ancestral' genes, shedding light on the evolution of venom production.
Researchers identify gene regions responsible for non-target-site herbicide resistance in waterhemp, a key step towards early detection and management tools. By analyzing the genome of waterhemp, scientists have narrowed down the genetic regions controlling resistance to two areas, paving the way for further studies.
Fels and Fox Chase researchers found specific TET2 and DNMT3A mutations in leukemia patients that affect DNA repair pathways. These mutations make leukemia cells sensitive to PARP inhibitors, a type of targeted therapy, while others are resistant. The study aims to develop personalized therapies for patients with these mutations.
A unique pair of gene variants has been found to cause sudden onset high blood pressure in pregnant women, which can be treated with a procedure to remove the adrenal nodule. The discovery provides new hope for women affected by this condition.