Articles tagged with Genetic Methods
Scientists are helping to safeguard UK's rarest orchard wildlife through a three-year conservation initiative focusing on four threatened species. Innovative techniques like pheromones and DNA will be used to improve monitoring of noble chafer and red-horned cardinal click beetle populations.
A team of researchers from the University of Copenhagen has discovered a crucial communication system on cell surfaces that plays a significant role in heart development. Alterations in three key proteins can disrupt this system, leading to congenital heart defects.
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.
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.
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 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...
A new gene circuit technology has enabled cells to autonomously generate programmed responses, processing multiple molecular signals at once. The RATEX platform allows cells to compute and respond to various types of molecular information.
A newly developed open-source tool called Talos is highly effective at detecting new rare disease diagnoses. The tool automates the reanalysis process of stored DNA data, integrating monthly updates of new knowledge about genes and variants to identify potential new diagnoses.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The alliance aims to address the diagnostic gap in rare diseases, leveraging genomics, AI, and technology. BGI Genomics is establishing a national-level rare disease diagnosis center with improved access across Southeast Asia.
J. Craig Venter's pioneering work in expressed sequence tags revolutionized brain-expressed genes identification, while his synthetic cells paved the way for synthetic biology as a working discipline. His legacy has reshaped our understanding of genomes and their functions.
Researchers developed a new tool called TRAnsmision Clustering of Strains (TRACS) to track the spread of disease-causing microbes using genomics. The tool distinguishes between closely related bacterial strains and can identify transmission networks and rule out events in ongoing public health applications.
A new mathematical model called LFSPRO was developed to predict the risk of Li-Fraumeni Syndrome. The model provides a more quantitative risk estimate for individuals who would benefit from testing but do not meet established criteria.
A recent study identified distinct microbial signatures in the oral cavity and gut that serve as robust biomarkers for early gastric cancer detection. These microbial markers can be detected in saliva or stool samples using machine learning models, achieving an AUROC of 0.87 for saliva-based detection.
A pre-Columbian Bolivian mummy has been found to harbor the ancient Streptococcus pyogenes bacterium, a pathogen responsible for scarlet fever. The genome of this centuries-old bacterium was reconstructed from its DNA, revealing genetic variants that may no longer exist today.
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.
Two junior research groups at Leibniz-HKI are combining robotics and genetics to discover new antifungal agents against Fusarium. By integrating automated screening experiments and genetic analysis, they aim to identify potential drug candidates and uncover the genetic basis of Fusarium virulence.
Mark Adams, a leading expert in genomics, has been elected an AAAS Fellow for his groundbreaking work in DNA sequencing and genome mapping. His pioneering efforts have laid the foundation for modern precision medicine.
A new clinical trial will investigate whether adding the oral medication vorasidenib to standard chemotherapy improves progression-free survival for people with newly-diagnosed, grade 3 IDH-mutant astrocytoma. The study aims to recruit 400 individuals with this type of brain cancer and evaluate the safety and side-effect profile of the...
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.
The John Innes Centre has been awarded £21.5m in funding to support four precision breeding projects, aiming to reduce emissions and strengthen crop resilience. These projects will help protect two major agricultural crops from diseases, enhance the nutritional content of tomatoes, and develop sustainable sources of rubber.
Researchers developed polygenic risk score models to predict breast cancer risk in women of African ancestry, improving accuracy and performance compared to existing models. The new tools could lead to earlier screening, tailored care, and increased survival rates for high-risk women.
Researchers developed a new technique called CLASSIC that enables large-scale testing of complex DNA circuits in human cells. The approach uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze vast numbers of complete circuits at once, providing scientists with a clearer picture of the rules governing genetic part behavior.
The study created a critical framework for understanding the architecture of the genome and its association with gene function in cells. The 4DN Consortium integrated data from over a dozen techniques to compile an extensive catalogue of looping interactions between genes and regulatory elements.
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.
Professor Dan Stein was a visionary who bridged neuroscience, clinical care, and philosophy to transform psychiatric research in Africa. His integrative approach produced scholarship of extraordinary range, with over 1,600 peer-reviewed publications and a Google Scholar h-index exceeding 220.
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.
Research from Michigan Medicine uncovers connections between a longevity gene, behavior, and environment, suggesting that manipulating stress responses could extend life without downsides. Touch activates a circuit modulating signals to reduce the longevity effect of dietary restriction.
Researchers have developed a new pipeline to identify complex structural genetic changes, enabling accurate diagnoses for 145 children with rare conditions. The study found that structural variants play a key role in the development of multiple health conditions, including neurological and developmental disorders.
A new resource identifies genetic variants associated with elevated 'bad' cholesterol, a major contributor to heart disease. Clinicians can now predict patient risk for heart attacks and strokes, allowing for prevention and early treatment.
Researchers identified a genetic inflammatory signature that defines specific depression subtypes and influences antidepressant outcomes. Higher CRP polygenic scores were associated with reduced weight and appetite loss, earlier age of onset, and lower employment status after treatment.
A new method called GenomePAM enables targeted modification of genomes using CRISPR technology. This breakthrough accelerates the development of precision gene editing tools and advances clinical drug development.
Researchers have refined a powerful DNA sequencing tool to uncover hidden mutations in healthy tissues, providing insights into the earliest steps of cancer development. The study, led by the Wellcome Sanger Institute, analyzed over 340,000 mutations in cheek cells and identified key driver genes associated with cancer.
A new study has created the largest genetic map of human metabolism, revealing key genes controlling metabolites and their impact on health. The research highlights similarities in genetic control across ancestries and sexes, offering new avenues for developing medicines to prevent heart diseases.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers developed photo-inducible binary interaction tools (PhoBITs) to precisely control gene expression, cell signaling, and immune responses. PhoBITs enable targeted treatment with minimal side effects, opening new avenues for cancer therapy, immunotherapy, and regenerative medicine.
Researchers found that mutations in the CFAP410 gene change its interaction with another protein, making motor neuron cells more vulnerable to DNA damage and cell death. This discovery provides new insights into the mechanisms underlying Motor Neurone Disease and highlights potential targets for new therapies.
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...
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.
Researchers at Salk Institute launched a machine learning framework called ShortStop to explore overlooked DNA regions and discover microproteins with potential roles in disease. The tool identified 210 new microprotein candidates in lung cancer data, including one validated target for therapeutic treatment.
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.
Researchers discovered how the genome uses competition between proteins to prevent rogue retrotransposon LINE1 from causing damage. The team found that a modified protein NRBP2 marks and disposes of another protein NRBP1, which is no longer functional due to mutations.
A study published in Nature Communications reveals that genetic diversity within groups of fruit flies improves their ability to evade predators and forage more efficiently. The research team identified a key gene, Ptp99A, that regulates group behavior and promotes survival performance.
Researchers at the University of Sydney developed a biological 'artificial intelligence' system called PROTEUS, which can accelerate cycles of evolution and natural selection to create molecules with new functions in weeks. The system has potential applications in finding new medicines and improving gene editing technology like CRISPR.
Dr. Danielle Beckman's research uses animal models to understand how viruses like COVID-19 trigger neurological damage and accelerate Alzheimer's disease. Her work has established critical connections between viral infections and neurodegenerative processes.
The new resource provides a detailed map of blood regulatory variation in South Africans, enabling researchers to interpret genetic variations using genome-wide association studies (GWAS). This innovation has the potential to uncover why people from specific genetic backgrounds may be more susceptible to certain diseases.
Researchers identified nearly 500 switch-like genes, which express at high or low levels, and linked them to various ailments like vaginal atrophy and COVID-19. The study suggests that hormones and genetic variation drive this 'switch-like' behavior.
Professor Benedetti's research explores the intersection of genetics, environmental factors, and treatment response in mood disorders. His work has led to breakthroughs in chronotherapeutics and immuno-psychiatry, revealing crucial insights into immune-inflammatory mechanisms and gene variants influencing brain function.
ADHD researcher Barbara Franke's work transforms understanding of neurodevelopmental disorders through innovative molecular approaches. Her research combines cutting-edge bioinformatics with experimental models to identify genes and pathways underlying behavioral differences.
Scientists identified specific immunogenetic characteristics in post-treatment controllers who maintain undetectable viral loads after stopping treatment. These genetic markers are associated with the existence of specific NK cell populations that better control infection, supporting their role in long-term HIV remission.
A highly sensitive bone marrow test has shown to double survival rates for patients with AML mutations in NPM1 and FLT3 genes, allowing for early detection of potential relapse. This trial indicates that regular molecular testing can improve long-term survival rates by restarting treatment earlier.
Colm Nestor's research aims to understand genetic differences in men's and women's health, with potential applications in disease treatment and prevention. His unique approach combines basic research with clinically relevant issues, aiming to uncover new insights into the mysteries of the X chromosome.
A new study published in Science reveals insights into the activity of genes inside different cell types in maize plants. The research, led by Alexandre Marand at the University of Michigan, sheds light on how molecular biology connects to a plant's visible traits, such as ear size and growth.
A new method captures totipotency using a short-term high-dose treatment of Pladienolide B, reprogramming classical mouse embryonic stem cells into transient totipotent blastomere-like stem cells. These cells exhibit remarkable developmental potential and self-organize into blastoid structures mimicking early embryonic development.
A new artificial intelligence-based method detects genetic markers of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, potentially leading to faster and more effective treatments. The method, called Group Association Model, uses machine learning to identify key mutations linked to drug resistance, reducing false positives and misdiagnoses.