A study analyzing over 15,000 Latin American individuals identifies 35 genes significantly associated with autism, showing extensive overlap with previously identified genes in European-ancestry cohorts. The findings support the universal biological foundations of autism and highlight the need for diverse populations to be represented ...
A newly developed AI tool called EvORanker analyzes genetic patterns across over 1,000 species to identify the cause of rare diseases. In clinical testing, it successfully identified the disease-causing gene in nearly 70% of cases, offering new hope for treatment and closure.
Researchers developed an AI tool called PathogenFinder2 that can detect harmful bacteria before they infect humans. The tool uses protein language models and has been shown to significantly improve the detection of bacterial threats.
Researchers sequenced the complete genome of Pseudocercospora cladosporioides, identifying key genes involved in degrading the olive tree's cell wall and inhibiting its resistance mechanisms. This breakthrough will aid in breeding resistant varieties and understanding fungus-olive tree interactions.
A recent study on sheep genome sheds light on regulatory elements that influence gene expression, providing tools for breeders to select beneficial traits and avoid disease. The study mapped gene promoters and enhancers in various tissues, offering a platform for exploring future research across multiple animal species.
Scientists have developed a new method to measure the editing process that fuels cancer growth and survival. By analyzing RNA sequencing data, researchers found two distinct cellular editing programs in cancer, one accelerating and the other decelerating tumour growth. This breakthrough may lead to new therapeutic targets and treatment...
Researchers created the most comprehensive single-cell atlas of epigenetic changes in the aging mouse brain, revealing how DNA methylation, genome structure, and gene activity change across brain regions and cell types. The atlas has already shown clear epigenetic differences between different age groups and allowed the development of ...
A new study by Stockholm University researchers reveals distinct populations of Baltic Sea herring with varying levels of genetic adaptation to local conditions. The findings highlight the importance of genetic diversity in managing herring populations and suggest that current fishing practices may be detrimental to local populations.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego identified new genetic variants associated with autism spectrum disorder using long-read whole genome sequencing. The approach enhanced the discovery of genetic variants, offering new insights into the genetic origins of autism.
Researchers discovered that tendon stem cells and progenitor cells fail to differentiate into mature, functional cells, instead promoting scar buildup. Immune cells, including macrophages, also play a central role in sustaining fibrosis, creating a self-sustaining environment that is difficult to reverse.
A new study reveals that people of South Asian, African, and European ancestry share common genetic risk factors for multiple sclerosis, despite historic lack of representation in research. The study highlights the importance of diverse representation in research to improve understanding of the disease and develop effective treatments.
Salk Institute researchers identified Med14, a protein connected to GLP-1 drug effects on pancreatic beta cells, leading to improved viability, insulin production, and stress resistance. The study suggests a potential molecular link between GLP-1 drugs and broader benefits, including type 2 diabetes susceptibility genes.
The University of Ottawa Heart Institute, McGill University, and the University of Ottawa have launched ARCHIMEDES, a national health data platform providing Canadian researchers with secure access to diverse health data. The platform enables collaboration, supports advanced analyses, including AI algorithms, and prioritizes public trust.
A new study from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center reveals that analyzing a patient's genomic profile can predict breast cancer resistance to CDK4/6 inhibitors. The researchers found that inheriting a BRCA2 mutation and other genetic alterations increase the likelihood of resistance. This discovery provides a new strategy for pred...
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.
Seq-Scope-eXpanded allows researchers to see even finer transcription detail, enabling discoveries that weren't possible with previous methods. The technology has been expanded to capture transcriptome from tissue with greater resolution.
Researchers shed light on moths & butterflies' evolution, conservation needs, and diverse feeding habits. Discoveries suggest that these insects obtained plant-digesting abilities from fungi, while mandibled moths were once more diverse but largely extinct.
Researchers at Rockefeller University create comprehensive atlas of cell changes with age, revealing synchronized changes across organs and sex differences. The study identifies vulnerable cell types and molecular hotspots that could be targeted with drugs to slow aging.
Ancient genetic fragments called L1 elements destabilise the cancer genome years before diagnosis, giving malignant cells more opportunities to grow and adapt. Long-read sequencing technology reveals large-scale structural rearrangements that seed genomic chaos, potentially driving cancer development.
Dr. Dennis Lal has been appointed as the new executive director of the Center for Innovation in Health Informatics at UT Arlington, succeeding Marion Ball. He will lead initiatives on precision health, clinical AI, and health care-scale informatics.
A new study explores how artificial lighting at night shapes ecological and genetic patterns of two closely related isopod species, Ligia laticarpa and L. furcata, in Tokyo Bay. The research reveals a clear ecological boundary between the two species, consistent with patterns of urban illumination.
A new Immunology Center will accelerate discoveries in muscle immunology and immune responses to gene therapies. Klaudia Kuranda brings expertise in immunology, onco-immunology, and leadership experience to the center.
Researchers have developed an artificial DNA base pair that relies on halogen bonds, enabling stable structures and recognizing naturally occurring enzymes. This breakthrough expands the genetic alphabet and could open up new possibilities in synthetic biology.
Scientists from the University of Texas at Austin have solved the mystery of how complex life evolved. The discovery suggests that eukaryotes arose when an Asgard archaeon developed a symbiotic relationship with an alphaproteobacterium, which led to the evolution of mitochondria and oxygen-based energy metabolism.
Researchers from ISTA developed an algorithm that can extract and analyze information from the world’s most extensive biobank with unprecedented accuracy and speed. The method, dubbed gVAMP, enhances the framework's ability to extract complex information from the dataset at hand, providing a detailed overview of the effects on a trait ...
A study found that age, biological sex, and human genetic factors determine the quantity and specificity of antibodies produced in response to viral infections. The research has significant implications for vaccine and therapeutic design, as it shows that individual profiles can be tailored to improve treatment effectiveness.
A gene variant controlling blood vessel formation in muscles affects endurance and metabolism. High-intensity training can increase blood vessel growth by reducing the gene's activity.
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.
Researchers found a smooth variation in sensitivity to diapause induction with air temperature and daylight length, suggesting genes regulating circadian rhythm play a key role. The timeless gene was associated with variations in female diapause sensitivity, providing insights into molecular mechanisms behind diapause.
The Global Exposome Forum is a global initiative that aims to understand the complex interplay between biological, chemical, and environmental exposures and human health. The project has partnered with national governments, scientific institutions, and large membership-led organizations to advance exposomics science.
Researchers used genome sequencing to identify blight-resistant trees with high American chestnut ancestry, preserving the species' ecological and cultural importance. The approach, known as genomic selection, allows breeders to predict resistance and make better decisions earlier in the breeding process.
A research team led by Boyce Thompson Institute has created the most comprehensive genetic map of cucumber ever made, revealing nearly 172,000 large-scale DNA rearrangements that shape its evolution and agronomic traits. The study found that structural variants were purged during domestication, but continued to be present in global var...
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 massive genome-wide association study identified 58 genetic variants associated with increased anxiety risk, pointing to 66 genes involved in stress response. The study also found strong genetic overlap with depression, neuroticism, and PTSD, underscoring the shared biology behind emotional distress.
A new strain of yellow rust pathogen has broken down a key resistance gene, leaving over 50% of the UK's wheat acreage vulnerable. Researchers are racing against time to find new resistance genes and breed them into modern wheat varieties.
The journal Current Genomics is now open for submissions, covering modern genome science and its applications in systems biology, bioinformatics, and machine learning. Researchers can submit original research and reviews on human diseases, clinical genomics, precision medicine, and plant genomics.
A new study suggests blocking key protein p300 can create novel form of cellular stress in cancer cells, re-sensitizing chemo-resistant tumors. Cells produce proteins even with damaged DNA, leading to toxic buildup and stress inside the cell's internal quality-control system.
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 at Salk Institute debut an epigenetic catalog that shows genetic inheritance and life experiences have distinct effects on various types of immune cells, shedding light on individual differences in immune responses and potential new personalized therapeutics.
The G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) is a key regulator of endocrine resistance in breast cancer, promoting tumor survival and proliferation. Elevated GPER expression is associated with poor therapeutic response and disease recurrence, highlighting its role as a coordinator of tumor-stroma interactions.
A University of Oklahoma researcher has been awarded a competitive NIH grant to advance tribally defined genomic research approaches. The project, called Partnerships for Indigenous-led ELSI Research (PIER), will strengthen meaningful collaboration with Indigenous communities and promote Indigenous-driven approaches to genomic research.
The Assessing Genetic Diversity in Africa (AGENDA) project has generated whole-genome sequence data from over 1000 individuals from underrepresented communities, aiming to correct the imbalance in global genomic datasets. This effort will help predict disease risk and tailor treatments more effectively for African populations.
A team of researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo developed a novel enzyme, MAN, that efficiently converts common nucleotide substrates into RNA nucleotides with remarkable efficiency. This method simplifies the production of RNA building blocks by using inexpensive and stable polyphosphate as a phosphate donor.
Researchers have identified a metabolically sensitive cell subtype in the eye's drainage system that shows early signs of dysfunction in a genetic mouse model of glaucoma. The study provides what the editors say are fundamental findings highlighting a potential therapeutic strategy for preventing or slowing the development of glaucoma.
The study provides direct evidence of large-scale human mortality during the Plague of Justinian and offers insight into how people moved, lived, and became vulnerable within ancient cities. The mass grave at Jerash, Jordan, helps resolve a long-standing puzzle about ancient community dynamics.
A two-step genome editing method integrates large human genomic fragments into mice, mimicking human regulatory landscapes. This platform enables the creation of physiologically relevant humanized models for therapeutic targets and disease research.
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.
Researchers discovered a 'genome size–ecological function' differentiation pattern among cyanobacteria, identifying smaller genomes as 'streamlined types' that dominate in phosphorus-deficient environments and rarely produce toxins. This study proposes using a genome size threshold to initiate preventive measures before blooms occur.
eQTLs modulate gene expression through various molecular mechanisms, providing insights into disease etiology. eQTL analysis has elucidated the functional relationship between genetic variants and complex traits in diseases such as RA, T2D, breast cancer, and SZ.
A study published in PNAS found that over 60% of pairs of damaging genetic variants can restore enzyme activity when combined, challenging long-held assumptions about genetics. This phenomenon, known as intragenic complementation, has implications for rare disease diagnosis and treatment.
A large-scale population genomic study has shed new light on the evolutionary history of the button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), one of the most widely cultivated edible fungi in the world. Climate dynamics and a key gene for adaptive evolution and domestication jointly shaped the mushroom's diversity.
A study found that increased bone morphogenetic protein signaling is linked to impaired neurogenesis in Alzheimer's disease, particularly in female mice. The research suggests that activation of BMP signaling may be a key factor contributing to the sex-based differences observed in AD.
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.
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.
The journal Biological Diversity is seeking experts in various disciplines to address the global biodiversity crisis. The editorial board will comprise senior scholars, while the youth editorial board will include early-career researchers. The dual structure aims to combine strategic wisdom and innovative energy.
A recent genomic study by Dr. Mayana Zatz and colleagues reveals that Brazil's admixed population may hold the key to understanding exceptional aging. The study identifies over 8 million novel genetic variants in the Brazilian population, with potential protective mechanisms against age-related diseases.
A new study found that people have moved pigs across the Pacific for millennia, introducing invasive species to Indonesia and beyond. The research used genomic analysis to track pig movements, revealing a complex history of human activity in the region.
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.