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Promoter editing enables researchers to develop heat-tolerant cotton germplasms in response to global warming

Researchers use CRISPR/Cas9 and CRISPR/Cpf1 genome editing to precisely edit the promoter region of key high-temperature-responsive gene GhCKI, leading to improved anther development and heat tolerance in cotton. The breakthrough provides novel genetic resources for breeding heat-tolerant cotton varieties.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Life Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2025

Two conductors of a chemical reaction

Researchers have successfully observed the operating principle of promoters in a catalytic reaction in real-time. Using high-tech microscopy methods, they visualized individual La atoms' role in hydrogen oxidation. The study revealed that two surface areas of the catalyst act as pacemakers, controlled by promoter lanthanum.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 20, 2023

Making melanoma immortal: Pitt scientists discover key genetic step in cancer’s race to live forever

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine have discovered a genetic link between melanoma tumors and telomere maintenance, which could lead to new treatments for the disease. The study found that mutations in the TPP1 gene stimulate telomerase activity, promoting long telomeres that enable cancer cells to divide in...

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalScience·DateNov 10, 2022

Genetic enigma solved

A team of researchers has cracked the code on dog coat color patterns by identifying five distinct genetic variants that cause different colors. These variants originated in an extinct species and were introduced into modern dogs through hybridization events.

SourceUniversity of Bern·JournalNature Ecology & Evolution·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 12, 2021

New technique reduces nicotine levels, harmful compounds simultaneously in tobacco

Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a new technique to alter plant metabolism, reducing harmful chemical compounds, including nicotine and carcinogenic N-nitrosonornicotine (NNN), while promoting beneficial traits like antioxidant-rich anthocyanins. The findings could be used to improve the health benefits of crops.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Advanced Research·DateJul 12, 2021

Tweaking corn kernels with CRISPR

Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have successfully applied CRISPR to increase corn kernel numbers by targeting promoter regions that regulate gene activity. This technique holds promise for increasing crop yields per acre and making agriculture more sustainable.

SourceCold Spring Harbor Laboratory·JournalNature Plants·DateFeb 22, 2021

Droplet Digital PCR enables precise detection and quantification of a promoter mutation prevalent in many cancer types

A recent study published online demonstrated that Droplet Digital PCR technology can detect and quantify rare mutations in the TERT promoter region with high sensitivity. The assays detected the mutation in 78% of samples and yielded no false positives, showing its potential as a biomarker for diagnosing and monitoring patients.

SourceCG Life·JournalJournal of Molecular Diagnostics·DateOct 30, 2018

Brewing hoppy beer without the hops

Scientists at UC Berkeley have developed a way to create hoppy beer without using hops by genetically engineering brewer's yeast. The engineered strains produce two prominent flavor notes found in hops, resulting in beers that are indistinguishable from those made with traditional hopping methods.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 20, 2018

Zipping DNA

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a method to compress and decompress DNA, enabling the efficient transfer of large amounts of genetic information into cells. This innovation has potential applications in synthetic biology, biotechnology, and cancer research, improving diagnosis accuracy and treatment outcomes.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateNov 13, 2017

Barcodes to identify gene regulators

A group of biologists from the University of Geneva developed a novel technology to identify all transcription factors involved in any process and in response to any signal. The BC-STAR-PROM screening method enables researchers to monitor the activity of thousands of promoters simultaneously, saving time and work.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalGenes & Development·DateSep 6, 2016

Unsilencing silenced genes by CRISPR/Cas9

Scientists at Hokkaido University developed a new CRISPR/Cas9 technique to unleash silenced genes, changing cell fates. They used DNA repair mechanism MMEJ with CRISPR/Cas9 to replace off-switches with on-switches, enabling efficient gene expression in cultured cells.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 30, 2016

Why some genes are highly expressed

Scientists classify all gene promoters into two distinct types differing in nucleosome stability, with one type found at highly expressed growth-related genes and the other at less frequently expressed genes. The study reveals the role of dynamic nucleosomes in increasing access to promoter DNA for transcription initiation.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalMolecular Cell·DateNov 5, 2015

Retroviral RNA may play a part in liver cancer

Research suggests that retroviral long-terminal-repeat promoters may contribute to the emergence of hepatocellular carcinoma. The study found that these elements are highly activated in liver cancer tumors and non-tumor tissue from patients with different etiologies, including viral hepatitis or alcohol use.

SourceRIKEN·JournalGenome Research·DateOct 28, 2015

Life in 3-D

Researchers at EMBL and Stanford University mapped three-dimensional interactions between enhancers and promoters, revealing new insights into gene regulation. The study sheds light on how genetic variants control gene expression and disease predispositions.

Joining the genomic dots

A new technique called Promoter Capture Hi-C was used to connect regulatory elements in the mouse and human genomes, providing insight into how genes are regulated. The analysis identified long-range interactions between promoters and enhancers, shedding light on the genetic basis of disease.

SourceBabraham Institute·JournalNature Genetics·DateMay 4, 2015

Pulling the strings of our genetic puppetmasters

Duke researchers have developed a new method to precisely control gene activity by chemically manipulating proteins that package DNA. This technology allows for the activation of specific gene promoters and enhancers, which could provide a new avenue for gene therapies and guiding stem cell differentiation.

SourceDuke University·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateApr 6, 2015

One gene, many tissues

The FANTOM project has published an exhaustive map of specificities in gene expression, revealing the first nucleotides of messenger RNA to identify where genes start synthesizing proteins. This study provides insights into how genes are regulated in different tissues, with implications for understanding diseases such as Parkinson's