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Stowers Institute partners with Google DeepMind and leading research institutions to help reveal the regulatory language of the human genome

Researchers have developed the AlphaGenome Atlas, a comprehensive map of more than 9 billion possible single-letter DNA changes. The one-petabyte dataset provides artificial intelligence-generated predictions for the molecular effects of these changes, accelerating understanding of the human genome.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 8, 2026

Listening to one neuron in the brain’s orchestra

Researchers have developed a genetic toolkit to isolate individual neuron types in a fruit fly brain, revealing distinct neuronal subgroups that produce different effects, including suppressing aggression. The study identifies a universal control of aggression across sexes and highlights the complex roles of neurons within the same neu...

SourceSalk Institute·JournalCurrent Biology·DateAug 27, 2026

Two ways to read a genome: Scientists reveal the first body-wide, single-cell atlas that maps DNA folding and epigenetics together

Researchers at Salk Institute create a body-wide single-cell atlas of two major epigenetic systems, revealing that cell-type-specific epigenetic features can affect disease risk. The study identifies over 1.36 million differentially methylated regions and 283,606 differential chromatin loops across the human body's cell types.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalScience·DateJul 23, 2026

Researchers uncover the inside story on plant organ growth

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.

SourceJohn Innes Centre·JournalCurrent Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 8, 2026

One plant, three kingdoms, five trips

Researchers at the Weizmann Institute of Science have successfully engineered a model plant to produce five psychedelic substances, including DMT and psilocybin, by identifying key genes and enzymes responsible for their production. The plant's ability to simultaneously produce multiple psychedelics has implications for treating mental...

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 7, 2026

POSTECH research team cuts cost of building reconstituted cell-free systems by 95%

A POSTECH research team has created an automated, modular system for assembling reconstituted cell-free systems, significantly reducing costs by 95% and preparation time to 2 days. This innovation enables the customization of individual components, paving the way for improved biologically engineered high-value therapeutics.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalTrends in Biotechnology·DateJun 24, 2026

Gene therapy reverses Fragile X deficits in mice

Researchers developed a gene therapy that restored normal brain activity and improved behavior in mice with Fragile X syndrome by replacing the missing FMRP protein. The treatment administered during early development showed significant improvements in cognitive flexibility, social interactions, and probabilistic reversal learning.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalMolecular Therapy — Nucleic Acids·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 18, 2026

New models enable better therapies against primary sclerosing cholangitis

Recent advancements in animal models, organoid models, and bioengineered organoids have provided new tools for studying primary sclerosing cholangitis. These models replicate the effects of bile retention and inflammation, enabling studies of disease mechanisms, drug screening, and preclinical evaluation.

SourceChinese Medical Journals Publishing House Co., Ltd.·JournalPortal Hypertension & Cirrhosis·TypeLiterature review·DateMay 19, 2026

A fresh approach to peppermint

Researchers at UC Davis have found over 250 new genetically distinct variants of peppermint through gamma radiation-induced mutations. These variants can be used to identify key genes for breeding or selecting new varieties with improved disease resistance.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 14, 2026

Genetic markers fast-track breeding of seedless muscadine grapes

Using new genetic markers, fruit breeders can predict flower sex type and seedlessness in muscadines and other grapes with high accuracy. The approach will save time and resources in developing new grape varieties, including the major challenge of creating flavorful seedless muscadines on self-pollinating vines.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture·JournalHortScience·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 8, 2026

Genetic risk for mental illness is far less disorder-specific than clinicians have assumed, massive Swedish study reveals

A massive Swedish study of over 2 million individuals reveals that genetic risk for mental illness is far less disorder-specific than clinicians have assumed. Schizophrenia shows the highest genetic specificity, while drug use disorder has a much lower specificity, scattering its genetic risk across multiple conditions.

SourceGenomic Press·JournalGenomic Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMar 3, 2026

Schizophrenia and osteoporosis share 195 genetic loci, highlighting unexpected biological bridges between brain and bone

A comprehensive genetic investigation by Dr. Feng Liu and collaborators identifies shared genetic loci between schizophrenia and osteoporosis, suggesting overlapping biological pathways. The study found that psychiatric patients face elevated fracture risks due to these molecular connections.

SourceGenomic Press·JournalGenomic Psychiatry·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateJan 6, 2026

New tech can unlock mysteries of genome’s hidden half

Researchers have found that a new DNA sequencing technology can study how transposons move within and bind to the genome, playing critical roles in immune response, neurological function, and genetic evolution. The discovery has significant implications for agricultural advancements and understanding disease development and treatment.

SourceCornell University·JournaliScience·DateNov 21, 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

Triggering RNA activation on demand

Researchers have devised a method to safely and temporarily 'switch off' and then 'turn on' ribonucleic acid (RNA) inside cells using disulfide-containing chemical groups. This strategy could potentially open new avenues in more precise RNA-based therapeutics and gene editing.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2025

King’s College London researcher advances psychiatric genomics through pioneering polygenic scoring innovations

Dr Oliver Pain develops GenoPred platform advancing personalized mental healthcare worldwide through accessible genetic tools, democratizing access to cutting-edge genomic methodologies. His work aims to reduce global health inequities by developing inclusive polygenic scoring methods that perform accurately across all ancestry groups.

SourceGenomic Press·JournalGenomic Psychiatry·TypeNews article·DateSep 9, 2025

Finding microproteins to treat obesity and metabolic disorders

Researchers at the Salk Institute have identified dozens of microproteins that play a crucial role in regulating fat cell proliferation and lipid accumulation. This breakthrough discovery offers new potential drug targets for treating obesity and metabolic disorders, building on recent advances in CRISPR gene editing technologies.

SourceSalk Institute·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 7, 2025

Genomic techniques can streamline breeding for grain quality

Researchers developed a strategy to predict multiple traits at once based on the whole genome, increasing predictive ability by 2-10 times. This method, called multi-trait genomic selection (MT-GS), combines genetic markers with known trait links for more accurate predictions, making it a promising tool for efficient and cost-effective...

New gene tool leads to better treatments for complex diseases

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University developed a computational method and tool to identify genes and genetic changes causing complex diseases. Their new approach allows doctors to detect and treat cardiometabolic diseases earlier in their development, identifying new genes that were previously overlooked.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 15, 2025