Research on the human genome and what it shapes. Covers AI genomics, molecular aging, biodesign, and gene-environment effects.
The Monell Center has received a $100,000 Grand Challenges Explorations grant to investigate the role of mosquito taste in malaria transmission. The project aims to identify new strategies to deter mosquitoes from biting humans by understanding how human skin tastes to them.
A recent study published in Critical Care Medicine found that older men are at a higher risk of death from community-acquired pneumonia compared to women. The researchers discovered that men's bodies respond differently to infection, leading to a stronger inflammatory and coagulation response, which may break up blood clots more quickly.
Scientists have developed a new tool to identify big events in human history by examining tiny genetic differences. This research, published in the journal Genetics, confirms a major decline in European populations 32,500-47,500 years ago and helps pinpoint gene mutations linked to diseases such as cancer and heart disease.
Researchers at Autoimmunity Research Foundation discovered that hidden bacteria alter human genes and gene products, leading to autoantibody production. Antibacterial therapies targeting these microbes can reverse autoimmune disease processes.
Scientists at the University of Central Florida have revived a dormant gene found in humans, which produces retrocyclin, a protein that resists HIV. The study found that restoring the production of retrocyclins prevents HIV entry and transmission.
A new mouse model has been developed to understand the cause of progressive hearing loss, opening up avenues for treatment. The study found that a genetic mutation in microRNA seed region influences sensory hair cell production, leading to impaired hearing.
Jeremy Nathans receives the Scolnick Prize for his groundbreaking work on color vision, brain development, and retinal disease. His research has led to significant insights into human blindness and the basis for many forms of color blindness.
A group of Michigan State University scientists warn that US farm animal research is facing a critical funding crisis, with only $32 million allocated from a $88 billion budget in 2007. This lack of funding threatens not only the research itself but also human health studies that rely on large-animal models.
A mouse study found that genetics play a role in susceptibility and resistance to prenatal alcohol exposure, with some strains showing teratogenic effects while others resisted, suggesting genetic influence. The study also highlights the importance of considering genetic factors in human FASD research.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have developed a new method to identify genes that help protect the body from age-related changes. The study analyzed over five million gene measurements across multiple tissue types in animals and humans, highlighting key biological mechanisms that allow the body to adapt to aging.
Researchers at the University of Iowa have discovered a new mechanism for DNA biosynthesis in certain organisms, which may be targeted by new antibiotics. The discovery has the potential to combat multiple drug-resistant diseases such as tuberculosis.
Research published in Genetics reveals genetic priming in females, making them more likely to choose certain males over others, influencing mating outcomes and future reproductive behaviors. The study's findings suggest that genetic compatibility is key to understanding love at first sight.
A recent study by Penn State researchers suggests that several statistical methods used to detect natural selection at the molecular level are faulty. This has implications for the interpretation of hundreds of published studies on human evolution and the role of natural selection in shaping human traits.
A team of scientists has developed a new method to create stem cells with embryonic-like properties without using viruses, which can trigger cancer. This approach imports necessary genes on a small DNA circle and naturally disappears from the cell population over time.
Researchers have identified 10 genes linked to changes in QT interval duration, a key factor in sudden cardiac death. The discovery could help identify individuals at risk and aid pharmaceutical companies in developing safer drugs.
Dr. Mo Kwan Kang has been recognized for his groundbreaking research on the senescence process in human oral keratinocytes, aiming to understand health and disease of human oral mucosa. He has authored over 30 research articles and won several major research awards.
A new study identifies a human genetic link to high levels of 'good' cholesterol, highlighting the role of endothelial lipase enzyme mutations in HDL-C levels. Researchers discovered rare mutated forms of the LIPG gene that significantly increase plasma HDL-C levels.
A recent study found that oral quinacrine does not increase survival in patients with prion disease, but may slow progression and improve symptoms. However, the treatment was associated with increased incidence of adverse events, which were mostly mild and manageable.
A genetic variant on chromosome 8 is found to occur significantly more frequently in people with cleft lip and palate than in the control group. The study suggests that genes may play a far more important role in the formation of clefts than previously thought.
Heidelberg cardiologists have discovered a single amino acid mutation that can severely limit heart function in zebrafish, a model similar to the human genome. The researchers hope to develop new therapies for patients with cardiac insufficiency by targeting this mutation.
A genetic link has been identified between cats and humans for two forms of retinitis pigmentosa, a disease causing blindness. Researchers found that cats with specific mutations can be used to test the efficiency of gene therapy for both humans and animals.
Researchers have identified a way for the brain to compensate for problems with neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, opening up new treatment options for addiction, depression, Parkinson's disease, and schizophrenia. The discovery was made using fruit flies with a genetic mutation that disrupted monoamine neurotransmitter rel...
Researchers identified AEG1 as a gene and protein crucial for HCC progression, suggesting targeting it may be a new therapeutic strategy. Overexpression of AEG1 accelerated tumor growth in mouse models.
African populations are still evolving due to natural selection, with lactose tolerance and genetic variation influenced by diseases like malaria. Penn genetics researcher Sarah Tishkoff presents her findings on human evolutionary history in Africa.
A new study published in Nature reveals significant genetic differences between individual yeast organisms, with variations of up to 4% compared to 1% between humans and chimpanzees. The findings suggest that human activities, such as wine and beer production, have influenced the evolution of yeast strains.
Researchers found a surge in duplicated sequences containing rapidly evolving genes in the genomes of humans and great apes, with most differences occurring prior to the speciation of chimpanzees. The study suggests that genetic differences contribute significantly to the distinctiveness between humans and chimps, and that these region...
A study by Kiel University confirms a special sequence variation of the FOXO3A gene is more frequent in centenarians globally, supporting its role in longevity. The research team analyzed DNA samples from 388 German centenarians and 731 younger individuals, finding consistent results worldwide.
Researchers at UTSA have made a breakthrough discovery in the fight against tularemia, a deadly bio-warfare agent. They identified a unique metabolic pathway and enzyme, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide synthetase (NMS), that is specific to Francisella tularensis, making it a potential target for therapeutic development.
A new study found that animal oocytes cannot fully reprogram adult human cells, making them unsuitable substitutes for producing patient-specific stem cells. The researchers tested using oocytes from cows, rabbits, and humans, but failed to achieve the necessary gene expression changes.
A team of researchers at the University of California, Davis, has recorded and visualized the human DNA repair process using fluorescent microscopy. The study reveals key differences between human and bacterial DNA repair mechanisms, including the regulation of Rad51 protein's growth.
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found that HPV18 DNA levels are not associated with the likelihood of progressing to advanced precancerous lesions of the cervix. The study suggests that testing for high levels of HPV18 DNA is not clinically useful.
Researchers have identified a diagnostic biomarker SPOP that can accurately detect clear cell renal cell carcinoma, the most common type of kidney cancer. The study found that 99% of clear cell RCC samples showed elevated SPOP levels, making it a highly sensitive and specific diagnostic tool.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory discovered a new class of small RNAs that regulate gene expression by acting as 'off' switches at specific sites. The study also reveals a strikingly novel biochemical pathway for RNA processing, which may have significant implications for understanding human disease.
Researchers have discovered DNA hotspots associated with psoriasis, an autoimmune disease characterized by skin patches and joint pain. The study identified four novel genes linked to the condition, providing potential targets for new treatments.
A Purdue University researcher used a process focusing on one gene to trace the evolutionary history of domesticated rice, discovering genetic variation over millions of years. By comparing domesticated plants to wild rice species, scientists can identify valuable genes for desirable traits like branching and increased plant size.
A recent study has genetically linked Lou Gehrig's disease in humans to a similar disease in dogs called degenerative myelopathy. The researchers discovered that dogs with this disease have the same genetic mutation as humans with ALS, paving the way for using them as animal models to help identify therapeutic interventions.
Researchers modelled gene evolution alongside language development, concluding that genetic adaptation to language is unlikely due to rapid cultural change. The study suggests that human language has evolved primarily through cultural conventions rather than biological adaptation.
Research published in the journal Genetics shows that fruit flies and humans regulate their circadian rhythms through similar cellular machinery. This discovery provides a viable animal model for circadian research and sheds light on the potential treatment of seasonal affective disorder, insomnia, and possibly some cancers.
A genetic variation involving serotonin has been found to shape social behavior in rhesus macaque monkeys, which could provide a new model for studying autism, social anxiety, and schizophrenia. Monkeys with this variation spent less time looking at faces and were more risk-averse.
Researchers have found that men outnumbered women in the ancient African exodus, tracing variations in X chromosomes and non-sex chromosomes to support their conclusion. The study's lead author notes that these findings align with anthropologists' teachings on hunter-gatherer populations.
A leading researcher at Stanford University School of Medicine argues that the time has come to shift from mouse-centered approaches to a broader 'systems biology' approach to tackle human diseases. The current small-laboratory approach has limitations in translating results to humans.
A population cohort study found six novel genetic variants associated with lipid levels, a common indicator of heart or artery disease. The research team analyzed over 20,000 DNA samples from European countries, increasing the power of 'genetic microscopes' to identify lipid-gene links.
Researchers have identified MEDNIK syndrome as a debilitating genetic disorder characterized by mental retardation, enteropathy, deafness, and other symptoms. The AP1S1 gene mutation is found to cause impairment of neural networks, including the spinal cord, inner ear, and brain.
Researchers have identified a connection between fruit fly genetics and human heart disease, revealing that certain genes play a role in both embryonic and adult heart function. The study found TBX20 mutations in humans with structural congenital heart abnormalities and heart muscle dysfunction, suggesting its potential involvement in ...
Scientists at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital identified distinctive genetic changes in cancer cells of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) that cause relapse. The study found that the majority of ALL relapse cases arise from a cell already present at diagnosis, providing a potential target for treatments.
A virus causing human-like symptoms may have emerged from a bird virus 200 years ago, according to scientists studying the common cold. Human metapneumovirus has high evolutionary rates and is closely related to Avian metapneumovirus C, suggesting a potential species barrier crossing event.
The new guide provides standardized guidelines for collecting data from wild primates, aiming to identify infection patterns and prevent epidemics. By integrating research from various disciplines, the study seeks to reduce the risk of pathogens jumping from animals to humans and vice-versa.
A new imaging database of chick embryos will map gene expression during the first 10 days of development, providing insights into diseases like spina bifida and cancer. The £2.6 million initiative aims to understand why developmental problems occur.
A study by Hayley Frend found that pond snails exhibit handedness in mating behavior, mirroring brain asymmetry pre-programmed by their mother's genes. This discovery sheds light on brain specialization and its importance across species.
Researchers have identified a gene mutation in Dalmatians that causes high uric acid levels and bladder stones, which can be eliminated through breeding programs. The SLC2A9 gene, also found in humans and great apes, is responsible for the elevated uric acid levels in Dalmatians.
Researchers compared many human and chimpanzee genomes to identify duplicated or lost regions during evolution, finding similar patterns in copy number variation but key gene differences. CNVs affected genes involved in inflammation and cell proliferation, with one gene linked to HIV susceptibility found to have reduced numbers in chimps.
A new mouse mutant has been identified that mimics human progressive hearing loss, with features in common with existing forms of deafness. The mutation affects the Atp2b2 gene, leading to degeneration of hair cells in the inner ear.
Researchers found that eating red meat absorbs human cells with non-human molecules, making them a target for disease-causing bacteria. The study emphasizes the need to eat well-cooked or pasteurized dairy products to avoid food poisoning.
A recent study from the University of Iowa found that nearly half of human DNA, composed of repetitive sequences like Alu elements, gives rise to functional exons that regulate gene expression. These findings suggest a link between 'junk' DNA and human-specific traits, such as muscle-related diseases.
The discovery of ancient DNA in 9,000-year-old bones found off the coast of Israel reveals that human tuberculosis is 3,000 years older than previously thought. The study confirms that the human strain of TB evolved before bovine TB and sheds light on its evolution over time.
Researchers found that women place significant importance on altruistic traits when choosing a partner. Altruistic behavior was correlated with stronger preference for such traits in both men and women.
A Mayo Clinic study found that obese patients with specific genetic markers experienced greater weight loss when taking the medication sibutramine. Patients who lacked these genetic factors showed little to no weight loss during the 12-week trial.
Scientists have discovered a connection between Apobec3 and the production of neutralizing antibodies against HIV, potentially shedding light on why most people who contract the virus don't develop effective immunity. The study's findings could lead to new insights into developing HIV drugs and vaccines.
A study published in PLOS Biology suggests that sleep is crucial for brain function, allowing the brain to regroup after a hard day of learning. The research proposes that sleep enables the brain to consolidate new memories and 'forget' random impressions, making it essential for continued learning.
Dinoflagellates have evolved a unique way to pack their genetic material into compact chromosomes without using histones. This discovery raises questions about the evolution of chromosomes and whether dinoflagellates once had histones but lost them. The study provides new insights into the biochemical basis of chromosome formation.