Health — DNA — Genetics — October 26th, 2025

Ancient DNA reveals the deadly diseases behind Napoleon's defeat
Researchers have uncovered microbial evidence in the remains of Napoleon's soldiers from the 1812 Russian retreat. Genetic analysis revealed pathogens behind paratyphoid and relapsing fever, diseases likely contributing to the army's massive losses. Using advanced DNA sequencing, the team pieced together centuries-old infection clues, connecting historical accounts with modern science. Their work redefines our understanding of how disease shaped history's most infamous retreat.
October 26, 2025 — Source

Genetic underpinnings of substance use disorders in Europe, Africa and America identified, some previously unknown
Substance use disorders (SUDs) are mental health conditions characterized by the compulsive, uncontrolled and deleterious use of alcohol, tobacco, stimulants (e.g., cocaine or methamphetamines), opioids, cannabis and/or various other substances. These disorders are a key health concern worldwide, as they can be highly debilitating and can sometimes even lead to serious diseases, physical disabilities and even death.
October 26, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — October 25th, 2025

Scientists just made gene editing far more powerful
A breakthrough retron gene-editing system could make universal and efficient gene therapy a reality.
October 25, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — October 24th, 2025

MIT scientists discover hidden 3D genome loops that survive cell division
Even during cell division's chaos, the genome's hidden 3D architecture endures—and may hold the key to how cells remember who they are.
October 24, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — October 20th, 2025

Genetic code reveals how mutations disrupt mRNA and cause disease
A genetic code has been identified that explains how mutations disrupt mRNA splicing, leading to disease. Analysis across multiple species, including humans, reveals that mutations affecting splice-sites can impair protein production and cause serious conditions. This insight enables targeted mRNA therapeutics, especially for rare or population-specific genetic diseases.
October 20, 2025 — Source

Microscopic DNA flowers move and think like living organisms
Scientists created shapeshifting DNA robots that react to acidity, opening paths to smart drug delivery, pollution cleanup, and advanced data storage.
October 20, 2025 — Source

Study sheds light on the role of genetics in the body weight
Analysis of over 200,000 Estonians identified genetic variants in MC4R and POMC genes that influence appetite and body weight, with MC4R linked to lower BMI and POMC to higher BMI. Newly implicated genes, ADGRL3 and PTPRT, connect neural function to BMI. These findings highlight the complex genetic basis of obesity and support the development of personalized anti-obesity treatments.
October 20, 2025 — Source

What the US can learn from Europe when it comes to the provision of cell and gene therapy
There are currently no available treatment options for more than 90% of the approximately 7,000 rare diseases identified to date. However, if these conditions result from correctable cellular or genetic defects, cell and gene therapies (CGTs) can significantly improve patients' quality of life and often represent their only hope for betterment of their condition. The catch is that CGTs come at a substantial cost to both payers and patients.
October 20, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — October 17th, 2025

In a surprising discovery, scientists find tiny loops in the genomes of dividing cells
High-resolution genome mapping reveals that small 3D loops, or microcompartments, connecting regulatory elements and genes persist and even strengthen during mitosis, despite the loss of larger genome structures like A/B compartments and TADs. This persistence may facilitate a transient spike in gene transcription during cell division and suggests that genome structure related to gene regulation is not fully erased during mitosis.
October 17, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — October 15th, 2025

Epigenetic 'scars': Unveiling how childhood trauma affects our genes
Child maltreatment, which includes abuse and neglect, is one of the most serious public health concerns worldwide. These adversities leave a lasting impact on the emotional well-being, memory, and social development of affected individuals. The problem, however, reaches far beyond its psychological impact, affecting the brain and biological processes through genetic changes, which have remained unclear until now.
October 15, 2025 — Source

Hidden patterns link ribosomal RNAs to genes of the nervous system
New research has uncovered shared patterns between ribosomal RNAs and genes linked to brain disorders, including autism, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and schizophrenia.
October 15, 2025 — Source

Preserving biological specimens for DNA analysis just got easier
Preserving DNA in biological samples has long posed a challenge for researchers, but the process may be about to get a lot easier.
October 15, 2025 — Source

Researchers show benefit of ultra-deep RNA sequencing in Mendelian disorder diagnostics
Ultra-deep RNA sequencing, reaching up to 1 billion reads, significantly improves detection of low-abundance transcripts and rare splicing events compared to standard depths. This enhanced sensitivity enables identification of clinically relevant variants, even in genes with low expression in blood or skin, supporting more accurate Mendelian disorder diagnostics and guiding optimal sequencing depth selection.
October 15, 2025 — Source

Scientists discover gene mutation linked to deafness—and identify possible treatments
Mutations in the CPD gene disrupt arginine and nitric oxide production in inner ear sensory cells, leading to oxidative stress and cell death, which causes congenital sensorineural hearing loss. Arginine supplementation and sildenafil improved cell survival and hearing-related behaviors in models, suggesting potential therapeutic strategies for this rare genetic deafness.
October 15, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — October 13th, 2025

New method brings growth charts to children with rare genetic condition
A new method, LMSz, enables the creation of growth charts tailored to children with rare genetic conditions, even with limited data. Using information from nearly 600 children with six rare disorders, the approach provides condition-specific growth references, improving clinical decision-making and offering families clearer expectations about their child's development.
October 13, 2025 — Source

New method can create reliable growth charts for children with rare genetic disorders
Growth charts for children with rare genetic disorders - giving healthcare professionals and families clearer guidance on how a child is developing - have been created by an international team, led by the University of Bristol.
October 13, 2025 — Source

SPT Labtech and Agilent introduce automated target enrichment protocols for genomic workflows
SPT Labtech, a pioneer in the design and development of laboratory automation and liquid handling solutions, and Agilent Technologies Inc. ("Agilent"), a global leader in analytical and clinical laboratory technologies, today announced the introduction of automated target enrichment protocols on SPT Labtech's firefly®+ platform. Automating genomic workflows, the optimized Target Enrichment protocols support researchers using Agilent's SureSelect Max DNA Library Prep Kits.
October 13, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — October 10th, 2025

Genetic study identifies key variants linked to healthy aging and intrinsic capacity
New research from the University of Adelaide has explored the genomic links within the index used to measure healthy aging—intrinsic capacity (IC), paving the way for potential targeted interventions.
October 10, 2025 — Source

MIT's new precision gene editing tool could transform medicine
MIT scientists developed a safer, smarter way to fix broken genes. Their breakthrough could make once-risky gene therapies much more precise and reliable.
October 10, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — October 8th, 2025

Empowering genomics research with cloud-based innovation
In this interview, NewsMedical speaks with Nripesh Prasad, Vice President of Scientific and Technical Development in Genomics at Discovery Life Sciences, about the organization's transition to a cloud-based platform for managing and scaling its genomics operations.
October 8, 2025 — Source

Late-onset cerebellar ataxia: A genetic avenue uncovered
Could an anomaly in the developing brain explain motor difficulties occurring decades later in people with rare movement disorders?
October 8, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — October 3rd, 2025

Cracking the code: Shared genes connect osteoporosis and rotator cuff tears
Scientists have found a direct link between osteoporosis and rotator cuff tears, two conditions that often develop with age. Using health and genetic data from hundreds of thousands of people, researchers showed that fragile bones increase the risk of painful shoulder injuries, especially in women. They also identified shared genetic variants, offering fresh insight into the biological ties between bone and tendon weakness and pointing toward targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
October 3, 2025 — Source

Genetic map reveals influence of DNA on metabolism
A large-scale genetic map of human metabolism, based on data from 500,000 individuals, identifies genes influencing blood levels of 250 metabolites. Genetic effects on metabolism are consistent across ancestries and sexes, with some genes newly linked to metabolic pathways and disease risk. The findings highlight both genetic and modifiable lifestyle contributions to metabolic health.
October 3, 2025 — Source

Physicists maneuver DNA molecules using electrical fields, offering real-time control
A new device enables precise, real-time manipulation of DNA molecules using finely tuned electric fields, avoiding mechanical contact and potential damage. This approach allows reversible trapping and release of single DNA molecules, facilitating detailed observation of molecular dynamics and potentially accelerating chemical reactions. The technology offers applications in diagnostics, genome mapping, and drug delivery research.
October 3, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — September 29th, 2025

Gene linked to rheumatic disease controls cell movement
DIORA1 (FAM167A), a gene associated with autoimmune rheumatic diseases, regulates cell movement by binding to and modulating MRCK kinases, which control the cell cytoskeleton. Reducing DIORA1 expression in human cells alters gene activity and protein modifications related to motility, increasing cellular invasiveness.
September 29, 2025 — Source

New hope for Huntington's families as gene therapy shows remarkable results
A gene therapy, AMT-130, has shown remarkable results in slowing Huntington's disease progression by 75% in a trial, appearing safe and prompting approval hopes.
September 29, 2025 — Source

New mRNA vaccine stops allergens from causing life-threatening inflammation in mice
A new mRNA vaccine stopped allergens from causing dangerous immune reactions and life-threatening inflammation in mice, according to researchers from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Cincinnati Children's. The vaccine, outlined in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, may one day be tested and tailored to a variety of seasonal and food allergies.
September 29, 2025 — Source

Scientists reveal functional RNA splitting mechanism behind origin of type V CRISPR systems
The emergence of type V CRISPR-Cas systems was driven by the functional splitting of transposon-derived RNAs into tracrRNA and crRNA, enabling dual-guide RNA mechanisms. This RNA-level innovation, rather than major protein changes, marked the key evolutionary step from TnpB nucleases to Cas12 effectors, providing new principles for engineering compact and versatile genome editing tools.
September 29, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — September 26th, 2025

Human DNA from Mongolian burial sites reveals dynamics of Bronze Age societies
A new study combining archaeological and genetic research offers fresh insights into social organization and population dynamics in the Late Bronze Age (approximately 1500 to 1000 BCE). Conducted by an international team of researchers—including scholars from the Leibniz-Zentrum für Archäologie (LEIZA) in Mainz and the University of Bonn, both in Germany—the study focuses on burial practices in Mongolia.
September 26, 2025 — Source

Mapping 'dark' regions of the genome illuminates how cells respond to their environment
Researchers at Duke University used CRISPR technologies to discover previously unannotated stretches of DNA in the "dark genome" that are responsible for controlling how cells sense and respond to the mechanical properties of their local environment.
September 26, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — September 25th, 2025

First Effective Huntington's Treatment Is Gene Therapy Applied During Brain Surgery
This incredible achievement could change the lives of thousands of sufferers.
September 25, 2025 — Source

Tiny DNA junctions provide feedback to control genetic crossovers
Every new life begins after a genetic shuffle. When organisms make eggs or sperm, maternal and paternal chromosomes pair up and swap pieces of DNA in a process called crossing over. This exchange is essential: without at least one swap per chromosome pair, fertility and healthy chromosome numbers are at risk. At the same time, too many swaps—or too many DNA breaks that initiate them—can harm the genome.
September 25, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — September 22nd, 2025

Compact Cas9d enzyme revealed as promising genome-editing tool
A research team led by Prof. Wang Yanli from the Institute of Biophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has revealed the structure and mechanism of a highly active Type II-D Cas9, offering a promising new tool for genome editing.
September 22, 2025 — Source

Single drug provides first evidence of 'nearly universal' pharmacological chaperone for rare disease
A study published in Nature Structural & Molecular Biology is the first time researchers have shown evidence that a single drug, already licensed for medical use, can stabilize nearly all mutated versions of a human protein, regardless of where the mutation is in the sequence.
September 22, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — September 19th, 2025

A molecular atlas of the hippocampus: Mapping RNAs and proteins at synaptic resolution
Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research have mapped the molecular landscape of the mouse hippocampus, a region central to learning and memory. By combining RNA and protein profiling with advanced methods to isolate brain regions and synapses, the team identified thousands of molecules with distinct spatial patterns.
September 19, 2025 — Source

Bacterial defense sparks a new path in genome editing
Researchers unveil append editing, a method that attaches chemical tags to DNA, expanding possibilities in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology.
September 19, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — September 16th, 2025

CRISPRgenee: New method leads to a better understanding of cell functions
The 2020 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded for the development of CRISPR/Cas9, a method also known as "gene scissors," which enables researchers to better understand how human cells function and stay healthy. Researchers at the University of Stuttgart have further developed CRISPR for this purpose. They present their CRISPR gene and epigenome engineering (CRISPRgenee) method in Cell Reports Methods.
September 16, 2025 — Source or Source

How evolution rewires gene circuits to build new patterns
How do cells know what they should become as the body develops? Biological development depends crucially on spatial patterns: the lines that eventually give rise to segments, organs, or markings like stripes and spots. Yet despite the variation in form, shape and structure in the animal kingdom, the mechanisms that generate these body plans are surprisingly similar across species.
September 16, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — September 9th, 2025

AI tool pinpoints genes and drug combos to restore health in diseased cells
In a move that could reshape drug discovery, researchers at Harvard Medical School have designed an artificial intelligence model capable of identifying treatments that reverse disease states in cells.
September 9, 2025 — Source

Cell nuclei inspire DNA-based computer chips
Scientists show how stem cells process DNA with speed and precision, revealing principles that could lead to programmable DNA-based chips for biotechnology and medicine.
September 9, 2025 — Source

Closing the care gap: Position paper identifies barriers and solutions to global undertreatment of osteoporosis
The International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) has issued a landmark Position Paper identifying critical global barriers to osteoporosis care and calling for urgent change to improve access to effective fracture prevention strategies.
September 9, 2025 — Source

Discovery reveals how chromosome ends can be protected
Researchers have uncovered a previously unknown mechanism that safeguards the chromosome ends from being mistakenly repaired by the cell. While DNA repair is vital for survival, attempts to repair the chromosome ends—called telomeres—can have catastrophic outcomes for cells.
September 9, 2025 — Source

Gene tied to rare disorder found crucial for intestinal stem cell regeneration
EPFL scientists have shown that a gene linked to a rare childhood disease is essential for regenerating intestinal stem cells after injury.
September 9, 2025 — Source

Genomic and hormone study finds 22 additional type 2 diabetes-related variants
Type 2 diabetes affects an increasing number of people worldwide, and more often affects men than women. The disease is caused by a mix of genetic and lifestyle factors, but little is known about how someone's environment—both inside and outside the body—interacts with their genes to impact a person's risk of developing the disease.
September 9, 2025 — Source

Molecular biomimetics: The cell nucleus as a model for DNA-based computer chips
In human cells, there are about 20,000 genes on a two-meter DNA strand—finely coiled up in a nucleus about 10 micrometers in diameter. By comparison, this corresponds to a 40-kilometer thread packed into a soccer ball. Despite this cramped space, stem cells manage to find and activate the correct genes in a matter of minutes. Which genes these are differs from cell to cell. Precise activation is crucial as errors in gene selection can lead to disease or cell death.
September 9, 2025 — Source

Researchers uncover a previously unknown mechanism behind chromosome end protection
Researchers have uncovered a previously unknown mechanism that safeguards the chromosome ends from being mistakenly repaired by the cell. While DNA repair is vital for survival, attempts to repair the chromosome ends - called telomeres - can have catastrophic outcomes for cells. The research, published in Nature, increases the understanding of how cancer and certain rare diseases develop.
September 9, 2025 — Source

Scientists develop faster technique to uncover hidden gene switches
Researchers at the Max Delbrück Center have developed a new method to discover how DNA controls genes. Their technique, published in Cell Genomics, can reveal the genetic "switches" that regulate important genes more quickly than existing methods.
September 9, 2025 — Source

Stem cell models reveal how epilepsy genes disrupt different brain regions
For families of children with severe epilepsy, controlling seizures is often just the beginning of their challenges. Even in cases where powerful medications can reduce seizures, many children continue to face difficulties with learning, behavior and sleep that can be just as disruptive to daily life.
September 9, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — September 4th, 2025

DNA analysis shows colorectal cancer has unique microbial fingerprint
Colorectal cancer is unique in having its own microbial "fingerprint," according to new research from the University of East Anglia.
September 4, 2025 — Source

Gene variant slows down removal of debris in the brain, increasing Alzheimer's risk, say researchers
A type of brain cell that plays a vital role in maintaining neural networks and repairing injuries lies at the core of a promising new study on Alzheimer's disease from the USF Health Byrd Alzheimer's Center and Research Institute.
September 4, 2025 — Source

Scientists probe powerful molecular messaging system that goes beyond DNA
Scientists are uncovering the secrets of a fast-acting molecular messaging network that strongly influences how people and all organisms adjust and react to the world around them.
September 4, 2025 — Source or Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — September 1st, 2025

Capturing language change through the genes
Throughout human history, there have been many instances where two populations came into contact—especially in the past few thousand years because of large-scale migrations as a consequence of conquests, colonialization, and, more recently, globalization. During these encounters, not only did populations exchange genetic material, but also cultural elements.
September 1, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — August 29th, 2025

AI tool targets RNA structures to unravel secrets of the dark genome
We mapped the human genome decades ago, but most of it is still a black box. Now, UNSW scientists have developed a tool to peer inside and what they find could reshape how we think about disease.
August 29, 2025 — Source

DNA variants that increase testosterone production in PCOS patients identified
Increased testosterone levels are a consistent hormonal abnormality in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). A study has identified specific DNA variants in the gene DENND1A, which increase testosterone production in PCOS. Using human PCOS cell models, researchers demonstrated that activating these DNA switches turns on DENND1A and drives testosterone production. This provides the first direct evidence that inherited DNA changes can cause the hormone imbalance at the core of PCOS.
August 29, 2025 — Source

Researchers determine how cells prevent RNA traffic jams under stress
A University of Michigan study offers fresh insights into how cells manage molecular crises.
August 29, 2025 — Source

Researchers identify genetic toolkit to reprogram cells into immune sentinels
An international team led by researchers at Lund University in Sweden has identified the molecular tools needed to reprogram ordinary cells into specialized immune cells. The discovery, published in Immunity, could pave the way for more precise and personalized cancer immunotherapies.
August 29, 2025 — Source

Scientists solve medical mystery behind rare multi-organ disease, opening door to new treatments
A team of scientists led by Duke-NUS Medical School has solved a mystery behind a rare and previously undiagnosed disease that affects multiple organs, shedding new light on its cause—and offering fresh hope for treatment.
August 29, 2025 — Source

Study finds two key genes control primary cilium development in cells
Some might say it looks like a finger. Others might see a worm. Scientists in the field often liken it to an antenna. The technical name is primary cilium. This slender, microscopic appendage juts out from the surface of most cells in the human body—and yet for many years, it was completely missing from textbook illustrations.
August 29, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — August 25th, 2025

Gene--diet interactions help regulate the body's daily rhythms, research reveals
Our bodies follow a natural 24-hour cycle known as the circadian rhythm that influences everything from sleep to metabolism. While scientists have long known that certain core circadian clock genes help regulate these rhythms, a new study led by researchers at Baylor College of Medicine reveals that there is an additional layer of regulation—diet interacts with an individual's genetic makeup, influencing daily patterns of gene activity in the liver, especially those related to fat metabolism.
August 25, 2025 — Source

Genetically modified pig lung functions in human body for 9 days
Xenotransplantation, which involves transplanting organs from one species into another, represents a potential solution to the shortage of human organs for transplantation. Previous studies have demonstrated the feasibility of transplanting kidneys, hearts and livers from gene-edited pigs into humans. However, the transplantation of lungs presents challenges distinct from the transplantation of other solid organs, owing to their anatomical and physiological complexity.
August 25, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — August 22nd, 2025

A new genetic link to pain provides a promising drug target
Chronic pain is life-changing and considered one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, making daily life difficult for millions of people around the world, and exacerbating personal and economic burdens. Despite established theories about the molecular mechanisms behind it, scientists have been unable to identify the specific processes in the body responsible, until now.
August 22, 2025 — Source

Nanopore technique tracks DNA damage to aid cancer therapy and radiation response
Scientists developed a fast DNA damage test for radiation that could guide cancer care and help responders deliver personalized treatment during radiological emergencies.
August 22, 2025 — Source

Under or over? Automated technique can visualize and measure DNA tangles
At school, it's often presented as a tidy double helix but scientists are revealing the varied and intricate shapes of DNA molecules.
August 22, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — August 21st, 2025

AI-generated genomes could accelerate precision medicine without compromising patient confidentiality
A new AI system that creates simulated cancer genomes could reshape the tools used to analyze tumors, helping bring about more accurate cancer diagnosis and ultimately more effective treatments.
August 21, 2025 — Source

Computational approach meets biology to connect neural progenitor cells with human disorders
For much of the 20th century it was thought that the adult brain was incapable of regeneration. This view has since shifted dramatically and neurogenesis—the birth of new neurons—is now a widely accepted phenomenon in the adult brain, offering promising avenues for treating many neurological conditions.
August 21, 2025 — Source

Gene Therapy Could Let Future Implants Control the Brain Via Ultrasound
One of Sam Altman's pet projects aims to engineer the brain to better work with brain-computer interface implants.
August 21, 2025 — Source

Optimizing how cells self-organize: Computational framework extracts genetic rules
One of the most fundamental processes in all of biology is the spontaneous organization of cells into clusters that divide and eventually turn into shapes—be they organs, wings or limbs.
August 21, 2025 — Source

Seattle's Allen Institute provides stem cells for historic experiments in space
The Allen Institute for Cell Science is providing stem cells that will launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket late Saturday night. These stem cells are part of the first-ever effort to grow heart and brain organoids in space.
August 21, 2025 — Source

Why Ancestry Is the Best DNA Test Kit in 2025
If you're curious about your ancestry, heritage or medical predispositions, this is the DNA test kit we recommend.
August 21, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — August 17th, 2025

Genetically-engineered immune cells show promise for preventing organ rejection
A Medical University of South Carolina team reports in Frontiers in Immunology that it has engineered a new type of genetically modified immune cell that can precisely target and neutralize antibody-producing cells complicit in organ rejection. Similar strategies have been used to stimulate the immune system against certain cancers, but Ferreira's team is the first to show its utility in tamping down immune responses that can lead to organ rejection.
August 17, 2025 — Source

New generation of CRISPR shows safer path to treating genetic diseases
A new generation of CRISPR technology developed at UNSW Sydney offers a safer path to treating genetic diseases like Sickle Cell, while also proving beyond doubt that chemical tags on DNA - often thought to be little more than genetic cobwebs - actively silence genes.
August 17, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — August 11th, 2025

Breakthrough approaches enhance RNA delivery while minimizing inflammation
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are tiny fat bubbles that are used to deliver medicines, genes, and RNA into cells. However, in some cases LNPs can cause harmful inflammation as a result of the process of RNA delivery. Now, two new solutions can help alleviate inflammation while still getting RNA where it needs to be in the cell. One discovery found that inflammation could be reduced with the addition of a unique biodegradable lipid to the treatment; another solution identified a common drug, called thiodigalactoside (TG), which blocked inflammation when added to the LNP. Today's Nature Nanotechnology features this research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
August 11, 2025 — Source

Cell-free RNA analysis reveals key biomarkers for chronic fatigue syndrome
When cells expire, they leave behind an activity log of sorts: RNA expelled into blood plasma that reveals changes in gene expression, cellular signaling, tissue injury and other biological processes.
August 11, 2025 — Source

How genetics and lifestyle drive dilated cardiomyopathy
An international team, led by scientists from the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute, has studied around 3,000 people affected by the heart disease dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)—a driver of heart failure and sudden cardiac arrest
August 11, 2025 — Source

Muscle's master regulator also moonlights as a gene silencer, study reveals
For more than 30 years, scientists have studied how the myogenic determination gene number 1 (MYOD) protein binds DNA to modify the gene expression of muscle stem cells. Similar to the instant kung fu education Keanu Reeves downloaded in "The Matrix," MYOD plugs into muscle stem cell DNA and reprograms the cells to build muscle.
August 11, 2025 — Source

RSPO2 gene identified as key driver in metastatic prostate cancer
A new research paper was published in Volume 16 of Oncotarget on July 25, 2025, titled "Dissecting the functional differences and clinical features of R-spondin family members in metastatic prostate cancer."
August 11, 2025 — Source

Study establishes a causal link between mitochondrial dysfunction and neurodegenerative diseases
Mitochondria, the tiny organelles without which our bodies would be deprived of energy, are gradually revealing their mysteries. In a new study published in Nature Neuroscience, researchers from Inserm and the University of Bordeaux at the NeuroCentre Magendie, in collaboration with researchers from the Universite de Moncton in Canada, have for the first time succeeded in establishing a causal link between mitochondrial dysfunction and the cognitive symptoms associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
August 11, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — August 9th, 2025

Sweet disguise: Body hides its own RNA from the immune system with sugar
Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a family of large biological molecules fundamental to all forms of life, including viruses, bacteria, and animals. Viruses as diverse as measles, influenza, SARS-CoV-2, and rabies all have RNA, which is why the immune system starts attacking when it sees RNA in the bloodstream or in other inappropriate locations. But our own cells have RNA as well, sometimes displaying it on their surface, plain for roaming immune cells to see—and yet the immune system ignores it.
August 9, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — August 8th, 2025

Exploring the genetic and clinical landscape of clubfoot
A new publication offers an extensive examination of clubfoot, a congenital deformity known as congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV), affecting about 0.3% of all live births. Clubfoot is characterized by the inward rotation of the foot, often causing significant mobility challenges if not treated early. The article explores the underlying genetic factors, epidemiological patterns, and current management techniques associated with this condition.
August 8, 2025 — Source

How sex-based differences shape immune responses and disease risks
Many diseases affect men and women differently. Asthma tends to strike men earlier in life, yet more women develop asthma as they get older. Parkinson's is more common in men, but Alzheimer's is more common in women.
August 8, 2025 — Source

Nascent RNA profiling uncovers molecular drivers of cellular differentiation
Researchers at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, have documented their use of a new RNA sequencing technology to uncover molecular drivers of cellular differentiation that could lead to better regenerative therapies.
August 8, 2025 — Source

User-friendly tool streamlines transcriptomic data analysis for precision medicine applications
Uber defends safety record after 400,000 sexual misconduct reports in five years surface
August 8, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — August 4th, 2025

Lupus often fades with age. Scientists finally know why
UCSF researchers have found that certain antiviral genes become less active over time in lupus, revealing why some patients see their symptoms fade as they age.
August 4, 2025 — Source

Scientists achieve megabase-scale precision genome editing in eukaryotic cells
Scientists developed two new genome editing technologies, known collectively as Programmable Chromosome Engineering systems.
August 4, 2025 — Source

What Are Stem Cells, and How Do They Work?
These bizarre little cells are already changing the world.
August 4, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — August 2nd, 2025

Genomics Gear Firm Pays $9.8M to Settle False Cyber Claims
US Alleged Illumina 'Knowingly' Sold Feds Systems Containing Vulnerabilities
August 2, 2025 — Source or Source

Smart RNA nanodevices reprogram themselves to silence genes in cancer cells
Reprogrammable RNA nanoparticles activate only in cancer cells to deliver targeted gene-silencing therapy while avoiding off-target effects, immune activation, and unnecessary drug exposure.
August 2, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — August 1st, 2025

Did drunk apes help us evolve? New clues reveal why we digest alcohol so well
To guide more research, a Dartmouth-led paper coins a new term for apes' fondness for ripe fallen fruit.
August 1, 2025 — Source

Lifestyle interventions reshape gene regulation in skeletal muscle of Asians
Researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have revealed that diet and exercise can change gene regulation in the skeletal muscle of East Asians, highlighting the critical role of gene-lifestyle (G x L) interactions in metabolic health.
August 1, 2025 — Source

Lipid nanoparticle stereochemistry shapes mRNA delivery safety and efficacy, study reveals
To deliver therapeutic nucleic acids like mRNA into cells, scientists rely on lipid nanoparticles (LNPs)—tiny, fat-based carriers that protect fragile genetic material, enabling it to survive in the body and reach target cells. A key component of these LNPs are ionizable lipids, which help mRNA enter cells and then release it effectively. One such lipid, ALC-315, was notably used in the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, a medical breakthrough that played a critical role in controlling the global pandemic.
August 1, 2025 — Source

Novel mRNA-based therapy shows promise in heart regeneration after heart attack
Heart attacks remain a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The permanent loss of heart muscle cells—known as cardiomyocytes—and the heart's limited regenerative capacity often lead to chronic heart failure. Current treatment strategies manage symptoms but do not repair the underlying damage.
August 1, 2025 — Source

Researchers map DNA markers tied to stuttering, opening doors for early intervention
A global study has identified the DNA markers for stuttering, providing a genetic link that will pave the way for clinicians to predict which family members will experience the speech disorder affecting more than 400 million people worldwide.
August 1, 2025 — Source

Shaping the future of mRNA based drug delivery
Researchers found that the stereochemistry of lipids like ALC-315 affects mRNA drug safety and efficacy, offering a path to better, safer LNP-based therapies.
August 1, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — July 29th, 2025

Groundbreaking Living Brain Project challenges decades of assumptions in neuroscience
In a revealing Genomic Press Interview published today in Genomic Psychiatry, Dr. Alexander W. Charney describes how treating patients with schizophrenia transformed his scientific pursuits from abstract questions to an urgent mission, ultimately leading to discoveries that challenge fundamental assumptions in neuroscience research.
July 29, 2025 — Source

Research reveals spatiotemporal coordination between pre-rRNA processing and nucleolar architecture
In eukaryotic cells, the nucleolus is the central site for ribosome biogenesis. It is composed of distinct subcompartments: fibrillar center (FC), dense fibrillar component (DFC), periphery of DFC (PDFC), and granular component (GC), each executing specific steps in pre-rRNA transcription, processing, and ribosomal subunit assembly.
July 29, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — July 25th, 2025

Common gene expression disruption found at the heart of ALS development
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive muscle weakness. A research team at Tohoku University and Keio University has uncovered a unifying mechanism in ALS revolving around the expression of UNC13A (a gene crucial for neuronal communication) that represents a common target for developing effective treatment strategies that could improve the lives of patients with ALS.
July 25, 2025 — Source

Gene therapy trial offers breakthrough for rare genetic disorder
A study evaluating a pioneering lentivirus (LV)-mediated gene therapy trial for classical Fabry disease showed promising results over five years, indicating a potential breakthrough in treatment for the genetic disorder.
July 25, 2025 — Source

New research uncovers gene impacts of PFAS exposure in firefighters
Researchers at the University of Arizona Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health found that certain kinds of long-lasting chemicals firefighters are exposed to may affect the activity of genes linked to cancer and other diseases.
July 25, 2025 — Source

Study shows DNA regulatory switch prompts stem cells to give rise to blood
A new study led by Stephen D. Nimer, M.D., director of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, shows how a key molecule regulates the generation of new blood cells, a process called hematopoiesis that goes awry in cancer.
July 25, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — July 22nd, 2025

Researchers Identify Vital New Role for 'Junk' DNA
Not only can transposable elements be useful, but new evidence shows they may have been powerfully linked to primate evolution.
July 22, 2025 — Source

Study shows how ribose may have become the sugar of choice for RNA development
In living organisms today, complex molecules like RNA and DNA are constructed with the help of enzymes. So how did these molecules form before life (and enzymes) existed? Why did some molecules end up as the building blocks of life and not others? A new study by Scripps Research scientists helps answer these longstanding questions.
July 22, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — July 20th, 2025

Rescued by fat bubbles: Scientists treat rare genetic disease with designer molecule
Tiny fat bubbles carrying gene therapy have successfully repaired DNA in the lungs and liver of animals with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency—a promising leap toward treating humans with this rare inherited disease.
July 20, 2025 — Source

Scientists twist DNA into self-building nanostructures that could transform technology
Scientists have used DNA's self-assembling properties to engineer intricate moire superlattices at the nanometer scale—structures that twist and layer like never before. With clever molecular "blueprints," they've created customizable lattices featuring patterns such as honeycombs and squares, all with remarkable precision. These new architectures are more than just scientific art—they open doors to revolutionizing how we control light, sound, electrons, and even spin in next-gen materials.
July 20, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — July 18th, 2025

CRISPR uncovers gene that supercharges vitamin D—and stops tumors in their tracks
Scientists hail key gene with promising ‘new avenues’ for precision medicine through CRISPR/Cas9.
July 18, 2025 — Source

Experts call for greater physician awareness and screening of fragile X-related conditions
UC Davis MIND Institute researchers Randi and Paul Hagerman are calling for increased awareness and screening for fragile X-associated conditions. In a new paper published in the New England Journal of Medicine, the husband-and-wife physician-scientists note that the group of genetic conditions is still not widely recognized by health care providers, despite decades of research.
July 18, 2025 — Source

Genetically modified gut bacteria show promise for combating kidney stones in clinical trial
The human gut microbiome has been shown to impact health in a myriad of ways. The type and abundance of different bacteria can impact everything from the immune system to the nervous system. Now, researchers at Stanford University are taking advantage of the microbiome's potential for fighting disease by genetically modifying certain bacteria to reduce a substance that causes kidney stones. If scientists are successful at modifying gut bacteria, this can lead to therapeutic treatments for a wide range of diseases.
July 18, 2025 — Source

Novel enzyme therapy restores hearing in mice with rare genetic bone disorder
Scientists have successfully restored hearing in animal models of ENPP1 deficiency, a genetic disease in which individuals lack an enzyme essential for bone and blood vessel health. The rare disorder can cause hearing loss in as many as 75% of patients who live with it.
July 18, 2025 — Source

Old chemistry unlocks safer and stronger mRNA delivery
As millions of people know firsthand, the most common side effect of mRNA vaccines like the COVID-19 shot is inflammation: soreness, redness and a day or two of malaise. But what if mRNA vaccines could be redesigned to sidestep that response altogether?
July 18, 2025 — Source

Study reveals how gene expression evolves
Researchers at the Yale School of Public Health have discovered the evolutionary rhythm of gene expression, showing that changes happen at strikingly varied rates.
July 18, 2025 — Source

Three-person DNA IVF stops inherited disease—eight healthy babies born in UK first
In a groundbreaking UK first, eight healthy babies have been born using an IVF technique that includes DNA from three people—two parents and a female donor. The process, known as pronuclear transfer, was designed to prevent the inheritance of devastating mitochondrial diseases passed down through the mother’s DNA. The early results are highly promising: all the babies are developing normally, and the disease-causing mutations are undetectable or present at levels too low to cause harm. For families once haunted by genetic risk, this science offers more than treatment—it offers transformation.
July 18, 2025 — Source

What ever-growing incisors can teach us about genetic disease
Teeth may seem like static fixtures, but a new collaboration between engineers and clinicians is proving just how dynamic, informative and medically significant our teeth can be.
July 18, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — July 17th, 2025

A million veterans gave DNA to aid health research: Scientists worry the data will be wasted
One of the world's biggest genetic databases comprises DNA data donated over the years by more than a million retired military service members. It's part of a project run by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
July 17, 2025 — Source

CRISPR-mediated DNA methylation editing regulates inflammation and tumor growth
Genes, fragments of DNA located on our chromosomes, control much of what happens in cells. Each cell activates only the genes it needs, silencing the rest through molecular "switches" present on each gene. However, these switches can sometimes be erroneously activated, leading the cell to behave abnormally and potentially resulting in diseases such as cancer or autoimmune disorders.
July 17, 2025 — Source

DNA nanostructures create novel interference patterns with tunable properties
Researchers use DNA nanotechnology to build layered lattice structures that produce new interference patterns with unique physical properties and nanoscale control.
July 17, 2025 — Source

Programmable DNA moire superlattices: Expanding the material design space at the nanoscale
Researchers are creating new moire materials at the nanometer scale using advanced DNA nanotechnology. DNA moire superlattices form when two periodic DNA lattices are overlaid with a slight rotational twist or positional offset. This creates a new, larger interference pattern with completely different physical properties.
July 17, 2025 — Source

Secrets of the dark genome could spark new drug discoverie
Since the Human Genome Project first produced the genetic instructions for a human being by sequencing DNA 22 years ago, scientists have been focused on roughly 2% of the genome-producing proteins.
July 17, 2025 — Source

Study shows gene 'switches' can be edited to influence inflammation
Controlling the activity of specific genes in the laboratory through the editing of their epigenetic marks is now a reality thanks to the CRISPR technology. A team from the Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute has demonstrated that it is possible to precisely control the methylation status of one of the key genes involved in controlling the inflammatory response (IL1RN), thereby modifying how the cell responds to external stimuli.
July 17, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — July 14th, 2025

Chronological age determined within 1.36 years using DNA methylation patterns
Researchers at the Hebrew University have developed an exceptionally accurate method for predicting chronological age from DNA, based on two short genomic regions. Using deep learning networks analyzing DNA methylation patterns at a single-molecule resolution, they achieve age predictions with a median error as low as 1.36 years in individuals under 50.
July 14, 2025 — Source

Key component to cell division revealed in 3D
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have revealed the structure of a key protein involved in unspooling DNA so that it can undergo repair. Because this protein is critical for DNA repair for many organisms, including those that cause diseases such as M. tuberculosis and E. coli, understanding how it operates could lead to new ways of blocking the growth of pathogens.
July 14, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — July 11th, 2025

How digital DNA can identify developers from their code [Q&A]
Recent high-profile attacks have placed increased emphasis on the software supply chain and the need to understand where code has originated.
July 11, 2025 — Source

How the genome defends itself against internal enemies
An international research team has deciphered a mechanism of the evolutionary arms race in human cells. The findings provide insights into how mobile elements in DNA hijack cellular functions—and how cells can defend themselves against this in order to prevent conditions such as tumor formation or chronic inflammation.
July 11, 2025 — Source

Researchers create over 400 types of nerve cells from stem cells
Nerve cells are not just nerve cells. Depending on how finely we distinguish, there are several hundred to several thousand different types of nerve cell in the human brain according to the latest calculations. These cell types vary in their function, in the number and length of their cellular appendages, and in their interconnections. They emit different neurotransmitters into our synapses and, depending on the region of the brain -- for example, the cerebral cortex or the midbrain -- different cell types are active.
July 11, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — July 10th, 2025

Forget 3D printing—DNA and water now build tiny machines that assemble themselves
A new approach breaks down complicated designs into modular building blocks for easy assembly from the bottom up.
July 10, 2025 — Source

Gene-editing platform could boost anti-cancer immune responses
Researchers have developed a new gene-editing platform that will enable safer and more effective T cell--based immunotherapies to treat cancer.
July 10, 2025 — Source

Genomic study reveals deep roots of human survival and adaptation in Himalayas
Genomic study reveals deep roots of human survival and adaptation in Himalayas
July 10, 2025 — Source

Genetic 'barcode' discovery cracks the code of centromeres, the genome's most mysterious regions
When people think of DNA, they usually think of genes, the parts that code for proteins and drive inherited traits. But there's a whole lot of DNA beyond genes that we are just starting to understand. One such mysterious region is the centromere, the area where chromosomes narrow, which helps them divide properly.
July 10, 2025 — Source

Mighty mitochondria: Cell powerhouses harnessed for healing
Researchers hope a new technique can treat a variety of damaged organs.
July 10, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — July 7th, 2025

Super-resolution imaging uncovers how lipid nanoparticles deliver RNA and where they fall short
When the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world in 2020, the mRNA vaccines came to the rescue of many people—but in the background there was another, lesser known, hero: the lipid nanoparticle. Without these tiny "fat droplets," the vaccines could never have been delivered into the body's cells. And the fact is that these small particles will probably have more assignments in the future. It could be what enables the delivery of gene scissors and new gene therapies into the body.
July 7, 2025 — Source

Twin study reveals genetic influence on infant crying and sleep
How much an infant cries is largely steered by their genetics and there is probably not much that parents can do about it. This has been shown in a new Swedish twin study from Uppsala University and Karolinska Institutet in which researchers investigated how genetics and environment influence infants' crying duration, sleep quality and ability to settle during the first months of life.
July 7, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — July 2nd, 2025

Mouse models for ultra-rare disorder could pave the way for nervous system gene editing therapies
Scientists at The Jackson Laboratory (JAX) have developed mouse models that survive premature death and enable pre-clinical testing of alternating hemiplegia of childhood (AHC), a devastating and sometimes fatal neurological disorder that affects about one in a million children with no current treatment.
July 2, 2025 — Source

New tool allows researchers to track assembly of cells' protein-making machines
By tracking the movement of RNA molecules inside the nucleolus using advanced imaging and genomics techniques, the new method allows researchers to watch these processes as they unfold without destroying the cell or its fragile components.
July 2, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — June 30th, 2025

Ancient DNA reveals leprosy hit the Americas long before colonization
A new study has reconstructed two 4000-year-old genomes from the rare pathogen Mycobacterium lepromatosis.
June 30, 2025 — Source or Source or Source

FAU researchers secure key grants to target new gene in the fight against glioblastoma
Florida Atlantic University researchers have secured two key grants to investigate targeting a gene for the first time as a new approach to treat glioblastoma, a very aggressive and fast-growing type of brain cancer.
June 30, 2025 — Source

Slowing RNA drug transport inside cells can boost effectiveness for genetic diseases
A recent study involving researchers from the University of Basel reveals that slowing down the intracellular transport of RNA-based drugs can significantly enhance their effectiveness. These promising therapeutics are currently used to treat rare genetic diseases.
June 30, 2025 — Source

Switching on a silent gene revives tissue regeneration in mice
Some vertebrates such as salamanders and fish can regenerate complex tissue structures with precision. A lost limb can be regrown, a damaged heart or eye can be repaired. Salamanders are so remarkable at reconstructing damaged tissues that even a spinal cord injury with severed neural motor connectivity can be restored.
June 30, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — June 29th, 2025

Scientists Launch Wild New Project to Build a Human Genome From Scratch
The medical charity behind the controversial new plan says the benefits outweigh the risks.
June 29, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — June 28th, 2025

Gene therapy reduces stroke risk factors in sickle cell disease patients
Gene therapy for sickle cell disease may help improve a major contributing factor to stroke risk in patients, reports a new study from St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Many people with sickle cell disease experience increased brain ischemia, where oxygen is not delivered properly to brain tissues, potentially leading to strokes. A part of the risk for these events comes from increased blood flow speed in the brain.
June 28, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — June 25th, 2025

Secrets of metamorphosis: Study reveals gene expression model during fly development
Researchers have studied gene expression dynamics during metamorphosis in two species of flies. Published in the Genome Biology and Evolution, the study aims to identify patterns of changes in gene activity during insect development that undergo complete metamorphosis—from egg to larva, pupa, and adult. The research team is from Skoltech, Koltzov Institute of Developmental Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences and the Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
June 25, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — June 23rd, 2025

Genetic cause for rare childhood brain developmental disorder found
University of Otago–Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka has led international research uncovering a new genetic cause for a rare developmental disorder that profoundly impacts brain growth and function in children.
June 23, 2025 — Source

Novel DNA-based assemblies for the development of remote-controlled microsystems
Photo-switchable binding of DNA nanostructures enabled photo-reversible fluidity within DNA liquid condensates.
June 23, 2025 — Source

Scalable toolkit streamlines genetic engineering of yeast for industrial biotechnology
Researchers at DTU Biosustain (The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability at DTU) have developed a new tool that significantly accelerates and simplifies the genetic engineering of yeast strains used in industrial biotechnology.
June 23, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — June 22nd, 2025

Antimicrobial resistance genes hitch rides on imported seafood
Colistin is a potent, last-resort antibiotic used only to treat people with dangerous, life-threatening bacterial infections that have developed resistance to other drugs. But it's not foolproof. Worldwide, resistance to colistin is spreading, further diminishing treatment options and putting infected people at higher risk.
June 22, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — June 20th, 2025

Hidden cases of rare disease uncovered by rapid genetic testing method
A new laboratory method developed by researchers at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons may now help physicians more quickly diagnose patients with suspected genetic disorders of the immune system, many who have been trapped in diagnostic limbo for years.
June 20, 2025 — Source

Using ancient DNA to predict the future
Antarctica appears sparse. Nothing but white ice, glaciers and harsh conditions that only a few animals have adapted to survive in.
June 20, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — June 18th, 2025

DNA 'glue' could help prevent and treat diseases triggered by aging
Macquarie University researchers have discovered a naturally occurring protein found in human cells plays a powerful role in repairing damaged DNA—the molecule that carries the genetic instructions for building and maintaining living things.
June 18, 2025 — Source

Engineered enzyme enables detailed mapping of tRNA changes in tumor cells
The method—dubbed "MapID-tRNA-seq"—allowed researchers to examine all tRNAs and their changes within human cells at once, according to the report. The study focused on transfer RNAs, or tRNAs, which ferry protein building blocks inside of cells, making them biologically essential. Dysregulated tRNAs are frequently involved in human diseases.
June 18, 2025 — Source

Gene-editing nanoparticle system targets multiple organs simultaneously
A gene-editing delivery system developed by UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers simultaneously targeted the liver and lungs of a preclinical model of a rare genetic disease known as alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD), significantly improving symptoms for months after a single treatment, a new study shows.
June 18, 2025 — Source

New pathway for mRNA drug delivery shows shape of things to come
Scientists have discovered the internal shape of tiny drug-delivery particles - called lipid nanoparticles - has a big impact on how well our cells absorb them, paving the way to more efficient vaccine and drug delivery.
June 18, 2025 — Source or Source

Study reveals 'switch-like' behavior for hundreds of genes with links to human disease
Gene expression, where cells use the genetic information encoded in DNA to produce proteins, has been thought of as a dimmer light.
June 18, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — June 16th, 2025

An evolutionary leap without rules: The environments colonized by plants with a doubled genome
Research conducted by Filip Kolář of the Faculty of Science, Charles University, and Patrick Meirmans of the University of Amsterdam has revealed that genome duplication (polyploidization)—a process playing a key role in plant evolution and breeding—has a significant but inconsistent impact on the ecological requirements of individual species.
June 16, 2025 — Source

New computational tool uncovers hidden genetic mutations in proteins
Scientists at UCLA and the University of Toronto have developed an advanced computational tool, called moPepGen, that helps identify previously invisible genetic mutations in proteins, unlocking new possibilities in cancer research and beyond.
June 16, 2025 — Source

Previously uncharacterized gene necessary for DNA repair identified
Cells are constantly subjected to DNA damage from a range of internal and environmental sources. It is estimated that cells can experience as many as 100,000 DNA lesions per day. One of the most deleterious types of DNA lesions is the DNA double-strand break (DSB). Just one unrepaired DNA DSB may be enough to cause mutations or cell death leading to a wide range of pathologies including cancer, immune deficiency, premature aging and neurodegeneration.
June 16, 2025 — Source

Programmable Protein-DNA Nanostructures for Self-Assembly
A recent article in Small describes a modular platform for assembling protein-DNA composites using covalent, site-specific conjugation.
June 16, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — June 13th, 2025

Infant with rare, incurable disease is first to successfully receive personalized gene therapy treatment
NIH-supported gene-editing platform lays groundwork to rapidly develop treatments for other rare genetic diseases.
June 13, 2025 — Source

Scientists design gene delivery systems for cells in the brain and spinal cord
NIH-funded breakthrough could enable targeted therapies for many neurological disorders.
June 13, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — June 6th, 2025

Mitochondrial DNA variant predicts resistance to melanoma immunotherapy
Results from a new study help resolve the decade-long mystery of why many patients with the deadliest form of skin cancer do not respond to the latest cancer treatments. Specifically, researchers found patients with metastatic melanoma who did not respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors had DNA with differences not found in the DNA of those who did respond. These genetic differences are both testable and predictive of who is least likely to respond to checkpoint therapies, a treatment class that has become a mainstay against the disease.
June 6, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — June 3rd, 2025

DNA floating in the air can track wildlife, viruses—even drugs
Dublin is known as a city where you can enjoy a few pints of Guinness, get a warm welcome from the locals and hear lively traditional music drifting out of pubs and into the city air.
June 3, 2025 — Source

ExIGS bridges microscopy and sequencing to track nuclear abnormalities
Harvard University researchers at the Broad Institute report that expansion in situ genome sequencing (ExIGS) linked nuclear abnormalities to hotspots of aberrant chromatin regulation, potentially eroding cell identity. The findings offer insight into age-related cell failure and showcase the ability of ExIGS to simultaneously sequence DNA and image proteins at nanoscale.
June 3, 2025 — Source

Fruit fly model sheds light on genetic roots of cocaine addiction
In a new JNeurosci paper, Adrian Rothenfluh and colleagues from the University of Utah developed a fruit fly model of cocaine self-administration that can be used to explore the genetic underpinnings of cocaine addiction.
June 3, 2025 — Source

Why do some people need less sleep than others? A gene variation could have something to do with it
Have you ever noticed how some people bounce out of bed after just a few hours of sleep, while others can barely function without a solid eight hours?
June 3, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — May 28th, 2025

DNA mapping of estuaries provides new tool for fisheries management and species recovery
From southbound cane toads to invasive weeds and fluctuating fish stocks, a novel technique called eDNA has revealed what's in NSW waterways—and how it's influenced by natural disasters.
May 28, 2025 — Source

Early Earth chemistry: Triplet RNA building blocks and freeze-thaw cycles enable self-replication in water
Chemists at UCL and the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology have demonstrated how RNA (ribonucleic acid) might have replicated itself on early Earth—a key process in the origin of life.
May 28, 2025 — Source

Humans are seasonal creatures, according to our circadian rhythms
It's tempting to think that, with our fancy electric lights and indoor bedrooms, humanity has evolved beyond the natural influence of sunlight when it comes to our sleep routines.
May 28, 2025 — Source

Scientists reveal how RNA could have replicated on early earth
Chemists at UCL and the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology have demonstrated how RNA (ribonucleic acid) might have replicated itself on early Earth -- a key process in the origin of life.
May 28, 2025 — Source

Study reveals novel strategy for in vivo blood stem cell gene therapy
A team of scientists from the San Raffaele-Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget) in Milan, Italy, has identified a unique window shortly after birth in which circulating blood stem cells can be effectively targeted with gene therapy directly in the body.
May 28, 2025 — Source

Uninformed comments on autism are resonant of dangerous ideas about eugenics
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health and human services secretary in the United States, held a recent news conference and made uninformed comments on autism. His remarks created an uproar, especially among people with autism and other disabilities.
May 28, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — May 27th, 2025

DNA-Based Supercomputer Solves 100 Billion Tasks—And Could Soon Revolutionize How We Detect Disease
What if the next breakthrough in computing didn't come from silicon or AI, but from the same DNA that makes you, you?
May 27, 2025 — Source

Fetal brain wiring sets up life-long sex differences in gene activity, study shows
A large international study led by scientists at FIMM, University of Helsinki, shows that many of the molecular differences between male and female brains are already established during the first trimester of pregnancy and linger throughout life.
May 27, 2025 — Source

Silent X chromosome awakens with age: New explanation for sex differences in age-related diseases
Women age differently from men when it comes to health—particularly in conditions like cardiovascular disease and neurodegenerative disorders such as dementia and Parkinson's.
May 27, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — May 23rd, 2025

Blood test offers faster, less invasive diagnosis for rare genetic diseases in children and infants
Researchers from the University of Melbourne and Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) have developed a blood test capable of rapidly diagnosing rare genetic diseases in babies and children, eliminating the need for costly and invasive procedures and giving families earlier access to treatment.
May 23, 2025 — Source

DNA analysis of Japanese wasp larvae reveals diverse diet
A survey of the larvae of Japanese wasps revealed that not only is their diet more diverse than previously thought, it also showed that wild colonies prey on more species of vertebrates than had been reported in the past. The Kobe University study highlights the potential for management practices that are sustainable both ecologically and culturally.
May 23, 2025 — Source

Fungi fight viruses with RNA editing that rewires their genetic response
The expression of symptoms of viral infections is a byproduct of complex virus-host molecular pathways. These remain largely unknown, especially in the case of fungus-virus pathogen systems.
May 23, 2025 — Source

Mitochondrial DNA mutation accumulation may not be a determining factor in aging
The human genome is broadly classified into the genome residing in the cell nucleus (nuclear DNA) and the genome residing in the mitochondria (mitochondrial DNA: mtDNA). Mitochondria are cell organelles that produce energy essential for life activities through oxidative phosphorylation (mitochondrial respiration), and mtDNA encodes a set of genes required for mitochondrial respiration.
May 23, 2025 — Source

Study: DNA test detects three times more lung pathogens than traditional methods
A recent study on the application of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) found that mNGS can achieve early detection of pathogens and accelerate the development of targeted anti-infection treatment plans, thereby improving treatment outcomes and patient prognosis.
May 23, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — May 22nd, 2025

Ancient DNA used to map evolution of fever-causing bacteria
Researchers have analyzed ancient DNA from Borrelia recurrentis, a type of bacteria that causes relapsing fever, pinpointing when it evolved to spread through lice rather than ticks, and how it gained and lost genes in the process.
May 22, 2025 — Source

Discovery of DNA switch that controls TB growth could help unlock its antibiotic resistance secrets
The bacteria that cause tuberculosis (TB) may have an "on-off switch" that lets them pause and restart growth, according to a new study from the University of Surrey and the University of Oxford. The research helps explain why TB is so hard to treat with antibiotics and could pave the way for better drugs.
May 22, 2025 — Source

DNA patterns provide key insights in the diagnosis of childhood leukemia
The treatment of leukemia among children could be made more precise with fewer side effects with the help of more accurate methods of diagnosis. A new study led by Umeå University, Sweden, reveals that analyzing methylation patterns in the child's leukemic cells DNA can enhance risk assessment, helping to ensure that only the children who need the most intensive treatment receive it.
May 22, 2025 — Source

Novel gene therapy tools target inherited retinal degenerations at advanced stages
Inherited retinal degenerations (IRDs) are a group of genetic disorders that lead to progressive vision loss as the light-sensing cells of the eye—the photoreceptors—die due to mutations in genes needed for their function and survival.
May 22, 2025 — Source

Tiny genetic switch found to control brain balance and behavior
Researchers at the Institute for Basic Science (IBS) have identified a remarkably small but critical piece of genetic code that helps determine how brain cells connect, communicate, and function. The discovery not only deepens our understanding of how the brain's wiring is built but may also explain the origins of several neurological and psychiatric conditions.
May 22, 2025 — Source

Trend toward survival benefit seen for REM-inhibition in ALS
Cosmo Fowler, M.D., from the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, and colleagues queried the TriNetX research network to examine whether pharmacological suppression of REM sleep can improve sleep-disordered breathing and nocturnal hypoxemia in ALS.
May 22, 2025 — Source

Tropical disease fungus thwarts treatment with gene duplication that blocks key drug
Mycetoma is a chronic and progressively debilitating disease that affects thousands of people living in tropical and subtropical regions, particularly those in low-resource settings. Characterized by painful swelling, skin nodules, and pus-discharging sinuses, the condition primarily affects individuals who come into frequent contact with soil, such as agricultural and manual workers.
May 22, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — May 13th, 2025

5G safety confirmed: Study finds no genetic changes in exposed skin cells
The adoption of 5G wireless technology has raised concerns about the health effects of the associated electromagnetic exposure, but a new study published in PNAS Nexus claims 5G wireless is safe.
May 13, 2025 — Source

Common gene variant can protect against inherited form of dementia
A new study suggests that people who are at risk for rare genetic forms of frontotemporal dementia should consider being tested for a common gene variant that can protect them against the group of disorders.
May 13, 2025 — Source

From sequence to structure: A fast track for RNA modeling
In Biology 101, we learn that RNA is a single, ribbon-like strand of base pairs that is copied from our DNA and then read like a recipe to build a protein. But there's more to the story. Some RNA strands fold into complex shapes that allow them to drive cellular processes like gene regulation and protein synthesis, or catalyze biochemical reactions.
May 13, 2025 — Source

Hundreds of genes linked to OCD provide clues about how it changes the brain
Obsessive compulsive disorder has many unknowns, including what causes it, why symptoms can differ so much between people, how medication and therapy for it actually work, and why treatment is effective for some people and not for others. In our research, newly published in Nature Genetics, my colleagues and I made a step toward unraveling some of these mysteries by shedding light on the genetics of OCD.
May 13, 2025 — Source

Jumping genes accelerate bacterial evolution in the laboratory
The genome structure—how genes are organized within DNA sequences in an organism—is fundamental to the processes and functions of organisms.
May 13, 2025 — Source

'Loop'hole: HIV-1 hijacks human immune cells using circular RNAs
Researchers have identified a never-before-seen mechanism that enables HIV-1 to evade the body's natural defenses and use it to support its survival and replication. The 'loophole' is a biological process that involves circular RNAs and marks the first experimental evidence of HIV-1 generating them from an integrated retroviral genome. Findings point to a novel strategy the virus uses to survive, providing a new target in the fight against one of the world's most resilient pathogens.
May 13, 2025 — Source

Mouse memory hinges on a nine-letter protein fragment exclusive to neurons
Cells have a trick called splicing. They can cut a gene's message into pieces and decide which fragments to keep. By mixing and matching these fragments, a single gene can produce many different proteins, giving tissues and organs more options to thrive and evolve. Out of all tissues, splicing is most prevalent in the brain.
May 13, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — May 6th, 2025

Common genetic variants help determine heart failure risk, study finds
Screening for common genetic variants in addition to rare genetic variants can help improve patient risk stratification for heart failure, according to a recent study published in Nature Genetics led by investigators at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
May 6, 2025 — Source

How microRNA is transforming science: From discovery to diagnostics
In this interview, industry expert Dr. Lohit Khera discusses the evolving role of microRNA in research, diagnostics, and precision medicine. He also highlights the latest RNA extraction and analysis innovations and how these advanced technologies address key challenges in small RNA research.
May 6, 2025 — Source

North Texas girl to become first patient to receive treatment for rare genetic disorder
An 11-year-old from Rowlett is set to make medical history as the first person in the world to receive treatment for NARS1.
May 6, 2025 — Source

Researchers recommend new standard of care for families with hereditary neuroblastoma linked to ALK mutation
Researchers at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) highlighted the success of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) inhibition therapy in treating hereditary neuroblastoma, a rare subset of a common childhood cancer. Researchers suggest that the findings, published recently in JCO Precision Oncology, could help establish a new standard of care.
May 6, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — May 5th, 2025

Using exome sequencing to analyze copy number variants can increase diagnostic yield
Exome sequencing (ES) is commonly used to diagnose Mendelian disorders, which occur when pathogenic variant(s) in a gene are either inherited from one or both parents or are de novo. Examples of such disorders include cystic fibrosis and sickle cell anemia.
May 5, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — May 2nd, 2025

Engineered enzymes enable precise control of mitochondrial DNA mutation levels in cells
Mitochondrial diseases affect approximately 1 in 5,000 people worldwide, causing debilitating symptoms ranging from muscle weakness to stroke-like episodes. Some of these conditions result from mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA), the genetic material housed in these organelles. For patients with the common m.3243A>G mutation, which can cause MELAS syndrome (mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes) and diabetes mellitus, treatments remain limited.
May 2, 2025 — Source

Genetic analysis of all-women extreme divers finds changes linked to blood pressure and cold tolerance
A new analysis of a group of all-women extreme divers off the coast of Korea has uncovered genetic differences that could help them survive the intense physiological stresses of free-diving—and could ultimately lead to better treatments for blood pressure disorders.
May 2, 2025 — Source

How 'jumping genes' infiltrate DNA during cell division
Viruses are known to use the genetic machinery of the human cells they invade to make copies of themselves. As part of the process, viruses leave behind remnants throughout the genetic material (genomes) of humans. The virus-like insertions, called "transposable elements," are snippets of genetic material even simpler than viruses that also use host cell machinery to replicate.
May 2, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — April 28th, 2025

Imaging tool lets scientists observe genome dynamics in real time
The human genome is like a big ball of yarn, made up of 3 billion molecular units arranged in sequence and then wrapped up around itself. Within this ball of yarn are your genes, which are regions of DNA that get copied and then turned into miniature molecular machines called proteins.
April 28, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — April 25th, 2025

Q&A: Scientist explains how she created 'invisible' stem cells
One continuing challenge is the need to suppress transplant patients' immune systems to prevent their bodies from rejecting the transplant. Genetic engineering to prevent rejection has long been viewed as the "holy grail" of transplantation, and recent scientific progress suggests this goal is in sight.
April 25, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — April 22nd, 2025

3D gene hubs: Researchers find DNA folding in brain cell nuclei may be key to understanding glioblastoma cancer
The way DNA folds inside the nucleus of brain cells may hold the key to understanding a devastating form of brain cancer called glioblastoma, suggests a new preclinical study from Weill Cornell Medicine researchers. The findings, published April 3 in Molecular Cell, offer a new way to think about cancer beyond gene mutations, based on the way that genes are connected and regulated in three-dimensional space.
April 22, 2025 — Source

Damaged cell 'trash cans' may contribute to Parkinson's disease
Scientists have uncovered more than 20 genes whose mutations cause familial forms of Parkinson's disease. One of these genes is known as VPS13C, and mutations in this gene may contribute to the disease's onset by causing the "trash cans" of cells to malfunction, Yale researchers report in a new study.
April 22, 2025 — Source

DNA origami offers more accurate imaging in the fight against pancreatic cancer
One of the challenges of fighting pancreatic cancer is finding ways to penetrate the organ's dense tissue to define the margins between malignant and normal tissue. A new study uses DNA origami structures to selectively deliver fluorescent imaging agents to pancreatic cancer cells without affecting normal cells.
April 22, 2025 — Source

DNA repair mechanism may hold key to overcoming tumor resistance to radiotherapy
A research team has unveiled a crucial mechanism that helps regulate DNA damage repair, with important implications for improving cancer treatment outcomes.
April 22, 2025 — Source

Gene syntax shown to control variability in synthetic plasmids
Engineers and biologists at Dartmouth College have found that, just like word order affects meaning in a sentence, the placement of genes within a plasmid—known as gene syntax—can influence how strongly each gene is expressed, how consistently it behaves across cells, and how it interacts with nearby genes.
April 22, 2025 — Source

New study reveals cybersecurity threats in next-gen DNA sequencing
Researchers have identified multiple cyberthreats in every stage of the DNA sequencing process
April 22, 2025 — Source

Researchers discover new way cells control RNA production
Scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have made an exciting discovery about how human cells make RNA, a molecule that carries important instructions inside our bodies.
April 22, 2025 — Source

Researchers find first evidence of potential bed bug insecticide resistance in gene mutation
A global infestation of bed bugs after World War II was nearly eradicated in the 1950s with the use of the pesticide dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane, commonly known as DDT, a chemical that has since been banned. Since then, this urban pest has been enjoying a resurgence in populations globally and has displayed resistance to an array of insecticides used for their control.
April 22, 2025 — Source

Smart nanotherapy enhances immune attack on melanoma
Researchers have developed an innovative nano-immune agonist that significantly improves immunotherapy outcomes for melanoma—a highly aggressive and hard-to-treat form of skin cancer.
April 22, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — April 20th, 2025

Exploring citrullination as a key regulator of gene expression and disease
Citrullination, a transformative protein post-translational modification, is gaining recognition for its wide-ranging impact on cellular function and human disease. This process, driven by the enzyme family known as peptidyl arginine deiminases (PADs), converts the amino acid arginine into citrulline, neutralizing its charge and fundamentally altering protein structure and behavior.
April 20, 2025 — Source

Reversing adipose tissue fibrosis through targeted microRNA therapies
A new review published in Genes & Diseases highlights the transformative role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating and potentially reversing adipose tissue fibrosis, a condition closely linked to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Fibrosis, driven by abnormal extracellular matrix (ECM) accumulation, disrupts normal adipose tissue function and contributes to broader organ dysfunction. The review explores how miRNAs act as potent molecular regulators, capable of fine-tuning signaling pathways and gene expression patterns that influence fibrotic progression.
April 20, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — April 11th, 2025

Candidate deafness genes revealed in new study
New candidate genes which could be responsible for deafness have been identified. Congenital deafness (hearing loss from birth) is common, impacting around one in 1,000 babies born in the UK. The condition affects communication, social and cognitive development of children and general quality of life. It is largely caused by mutations in genes, but many of these genes remain to be discovered. Understanding the exact mutations that cause deafness could hold the key to devising treatments.
April 11, 2025 — Source

CRISPR screen identifies EIF3D as critical regulator of stem cell pluripotency maintenance
A team of CiRA researchers has uncovered the crucial role of EIF3D—a protein translational regulator—in primed pluripotency. The research is published in the journal Science Advances.
April 11, 2025 — Source

Integrating genomics with traditional fieldwork and morphology is essential for Lauraceae research, say scientists
Lauraceae, a globally significant woody plant family, encompasses ecologically critical and economically valuable species such as cinnamon, avocado, and bay laurel. While substantial progress has been made in deciphering the family's phylogeny, taxonomic relationships, and biogeographic patterns over the past two decades, knowledge gaps exist in understanding this evolutionarily complex group.
April 11, 2025 — Source

Key genes in Parkinson's disease discovered using CRISPR technology
A longstanding mystery in Parkinson's disease research has been why some individuals carrying pathogenic variants that increase their risk of PD go on to develop the disease, while others who also carry such variants do not. The prevailing theory has suggested additional genetic factors may play a role.
April 11, 2025 — Source

Researchers identify simple rules for folding the genome
An international team of researchers co-led by Job Dekker, Ph.D., at UMass Chan Medical School, have identified rules that tell cells how to fold DNA into the tightly packed, iconic X-shaped chromosomes formed during mitosis that help ensure the accurate passing of genetic information between cells during cell division.
April 11, 2025 — Source

RNA-based blood test identifies Parkinson's before symptoms appear
Researchers have developed a simple and cost-effective blood test capable of detecting Parkinson's disease long before symptoms emerge, comparing the current state of diagnosing neurodegenerative diseases to the fight against cancer 50 years ago—when most cases were identified too late for effective treatment.
April 11, 2025 — Source

The obstetrical dilemma: Large-scale study explores evolutionary trade-offs of wide versus narrow hips
A team of integrative biologists at the University of Texas, Western Washington University and Columbia University Irving Medical Center has found that both wide and narrow hips provide women with certain physical benefits, though they both also have downsides. In their study published in the journal Science, the group compared hip structure among 31,000 people listed in the UK Biobank, with other physical features including those associated with pregnancy and birth.
April 11, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — April 7th, 2025

A Bankrupt 23andMe Could Soon Sell Your Most Personal Data
23andMe is potentially selling more than just your genetic data—the personal survey info it collected is just as much a privacy problem.
April 7, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — April 4th, 2025

Engineering biomolecular condensates for programmable immune response and material design
Framework for nanoscale material design using programmable DNA systems enables precise control over structure, function, and immune signaling in soft materials.
April 4, 2025 — Source

Novel genomic screening tool enables precision reverse-engineering of genetic programming in cells
Collaborative research defines a novel approach to understanding how certain proteins called transcription factors determine which genetic programs will drive cell growth and maturation. The method, called 'Perturb-multiome,' uses CRISPR to knock out the function of individual transcription factors across many blood cells at once. The researchers then perform single-cell analyses on each cell to measure the effects of the editing, including identifying which genes have been turned on or off and which genes are accessible (based on epigenetic markers).
April 4, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — March 31st, 2025

A delicate balancing act determines how many genome gateways form in cells
The nuclei in our cells are miniature warehouses safeguarding the genetic blueprint for the body's biologic machinery. As warehouses go, nuclei are more like libraries than bank vaults. Too many cellular components need access to the genome to lock it down like Fort Knox. Instead, large groupings of more than 1,000 individual protein molecules called nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) pepper the dividing membrane, serving as gateways for materials and messages entering and exiting the nucleus.
March 31, 2025 — Source

Horses, donkeys and zebras have adaptations that break normal genomic rules
A genetic mutation in horses that would typically halt protein production has become a molecular asset. Researchers at Johns Hopkins University and Vanderbilt University have identified a rare instance of genetic recoding that enhances oxygen metabolism and energy production in horses, donkeys, and zebras.
March 31, 2025 — Source

Machine learning model uses host characteristics and virus genetics to predict potential reservoirs
A new artificial intelligence tool could aid in limiting or even prevent pandemics by identifying animal species that may harbor and spread viruses capable of infecting humans.
March 31, 2025 — Source

Open Source Genetic Database Shuts Down to Protect Users From 'Authoritarian Governments'
"The risk/benefit calculus of providing free & open access to individual genetic data in 2025 is very different compared to 14 years ago."
March 31, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — March 28th, 2025

Genes may influence our enjoyment of music
Music is central to human emotion and culture. Does our ability to enjoy music have a biological basis? A genetic twin study, published in Nature Communications, shows that music enjoyment is partly heritable. An international team led by scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, uncovered genetic factors that influence the degree of music enjoyment, which were partly distinct from genes influencing general enjoyment of rewarding experiences or musical ability.
March 28, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — March 24th, 2025

DNA of 15 Million People for Sale in 23andMe Bankruptcy
There is no way to know what a buyer will want to do with the reams of genetic information it has collected. Customers, meanwhile, still have no way to change their underlying genetic data.
March 24, 2025 — Source

DNA testing firm 23andMe files for bankruptcy, CEO Anne Wojcicki resigns
A massive security breach and waning consumer interest forced 23andMe's hand
March 24, 2025 — Source

How chromosomes shape up for cell division: Scientists reveal DNA loop formation mechanisms
Among the many marvels of life is the cell's ability to divide and thus enable organisms to grow and renew themselves. For this, the cell must duplicate its DNA—its genome—and segregate it equally into two new daughter cells.
March 24, 2025 — Source or Source

Pooled prime editing: Mass screening of genetic variants can clarify disease risk
Researchers at the Francis Crick Institute have demonstrated that a genetic method called "pooled prime editing" can screen hundreds of variants in a gene at once and identify which variants affect the gene's function.
March 24, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — March 21st, 2025

Genomic screening is important in identifying disease risk, study finds
In an evaluation of the MyCode study, published in JAMA Network Open, more than 175,000 participants were screened for medically important genetic findings, and one in 30 received a result. Of participants with a genetic risk for disease, more than 90% were unaware of their risk prior to receiving the information from the MyCode program.
March 21, 2025 — Source

How stem cells calm the body's immune response
The results yielded a surprise: Even stem cells possess surface proteins that enable them to suppress the activation of inflammatory and immune responses in the body. This finding is particularly relevant for stem cell transplants, applied for the treatment of, for example, leukemia.
March 21, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — March 17th, 2025

RNA origami: Artificial cytoskeletons to build synthetic cells
Scientists use RNA origami to fold biomolecules into nanotubes, forming cytoskeleton-like structures, advancing synthetic biology toward artificial cells.
March 17, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — March 14th, 2025

Genomic study indicates our capacity for language emerged 135,000 years ago
It is a deep question, from deep in our history: when did human language as we know it emerge? A new survey of genomic evidence suggests our unique language capacity was present at least 135,000 years ago. Subsequently, language might have entered social use 100,000 years ago.
March 14, 2025 — Source

New steps in call to enact DNA discrimination ban
Experts are hopeful the Australian Government's promised ban on life insurers discriminating based on genetic test results is one step closer, with the Treasury consultation on the legislation's design ending this week.
March 14, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — March 13th, 2025

CRISPR technologies paving the way for advances in regenerative medicine
A recent review published in the journal Engineering delves into the significant advancements and potential of CRISPR technologies in the field of regenerative medicine. The study, authored by Veronica E. Farag, Elsie A. Devey, and Kam W. Leong from Columbia University, explores how gene editing is transforming the way we approach tissue repair and disease treatment.
March 13, 2025 — Source

Researchers unlock new capabilities in DNA nanostructure self-assembly
Scientists are pioneering new methods for designing and assembling DNA nanostructures, enhancing their potential for applications in medicine, materials science and data storage.
March 13, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — March 12th, 2025

Integrative analysis tool turns spatial RNA sequencing into imager
Spatial transcriptomics is a cutting-edge technique that characterizes gene expression within sections of tissue, such as heart, skin or liver tissue. These snapshots provide insights into how spatial organization affects cellular functions across the spectrum of biology and disease.
March 12, 2025 — Source

New capabilities in DNA nanostructure self-assembly eliminate need for extreme heating and controlled cooling
University at Albany researchers at the RNA Institute are pioneering new methods for designing and assembling DNA nanostructures, enhancing their potential for real-world applications in medicine, materials science and data storage.
March 12, 2025 — Source

Researchers unlock new capabilities in DNA nanostructure self-assembly
Scientists are pioneering new methods for designing and assembling DNA nanostructures, enhancing their potential for applications in medicine, materials science and data storage.
March 12, 2025 — Source

The secret DNA circles fueling pancreatic cancer's aggression
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers worldwide, with a five-year survival rate of 13%. This poor prognosis stems from both late detection and the cancer's notorious capacity to adapt and resist therapy.
March 12, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — March 11th, 2025

Mapping DNA's hidden switches: A methylation atlas
A new study has been published in Nature Communications, presenting the first comprehensive atlas of allele-specific DNA methylation across 39 primary human cell types. The study was led by Ph.D. student Jonathan Rosenski under the guidance of Prof. Tommy Kaplan from the School of Computer Science and Engineering and Prof. Yuval Dor from the Faculty of Medicine at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and Hadassah Medical Center.
March 11, 2025 — Source

Nwd1 gene deletion triggers MASH-like pathology in mice
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a liver disease that progresses without symptoms and is associated with significant global public health concerns. It is prevalent in 30% of the population worldwide and poses a risk of advancing to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
March 11, 2025 — Source or Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — March 10th, 2025

Computer engineers develop AI tool to account for ancestral diversity in genetic data
University of Florida researchers are addressing a critical gap in medical genetic research—ensuring it better represents and benefits people of all backgrounds.
March 10, 2025 — Source

Genetic analysis explains rare disease severity, points to possible treatment
Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have uncovered why some patients with a rare genetic disorder called primary ciliary dyskinesia have worse lung problems than others with the same disorder.
March 10, 2025 — Source

UF researchers develop AI tool to tackle ancestral bias in precision medicine
University of Florida researchers are addressing a critical gap in medical genetic research - ensuring it better represents and benefits people of all backgrounds.
March 10, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — March 8th, 2025

Can melatonin supplements really 'reverse' DNA damage caused by lack of sleep?
Sleep isn't just a luxury, it's a vital process that helps our bodies repair and rejuvenate. Researchers have started to uncover how the quality and timing of sleep can affect more than just how rested we feel—it might also affect the very blueprint of our cells: our DNA.
March 8, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — February 28th, 2025

Genetic testing offers hope for targeted childhood cancer therapies
New research has looked into a comprehensive and structured approach to genetic testing, matching children and young people with cancer to targeted treatments. The study aimed to advance precision medicine in the UK to help young cancer patients receive more targeted cancer treatments, an important step towards increasing survival rates and reducing the side-effects of treatment.
February 28, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — February 18th, 2025

Artificial human DNA study raises ethical questions for society
Researchers from The University of Manchester—in collaboration with the Universities of Granada, Lund, and Oslo—have conducted the first-ever ethical analysis of artificial human DNA.
February 18, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — February 17th, 2025

AcrVIB1: The unexpected anti-CRISPR protein that tightens RNA binding
The CRISPR-Cas gene scissors offer a wide range of potential applications, from the treatment of genetic diseases to antiviral therapies and diagnostics. However, to safely harness their powers, scientists are searching for mechanisms that can regulate or inhibit the systems' activity. Enter the anti-CRISPR protein AcrVIB1, a promising inhibitor whose exact function has remained a mystery—until now.
February 17, 2025 — Source

Breakthrough technology enables mRNA delivery across the blood-brain barrier
Scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have developed a lipid nanoparticle system capable of delivering messenger RNA (mRNA) to the brain via intravenous injection, a challenge that has long been limited by the protective nature of the blood-brain barrier.
February 17, 2025 — Source or Source

ChromTR revolutionizes chromosome detection in metaphase cell images
ChromTR, a cutting-edge framework for chromosome detection in metaphase cell images, represents a significant advancement in the field of cytogenetics. This framework, which integrates semantic feature learning and chromosome class distribution learning, is designed to automate the detection and classification of 24 types of chromosomes in raw metaphase cell images. This is particularly important for the clinical diagnosis of genetic diseases such as Edwards, Turners, and Down syndromes, where accurate chromosome karyotyping is crucial.
February 17, 2025 — Source

Enhancing chromosome detection in metaphase cell images
ChromTR, a novel framework for chromosome detection in metaphase cell images, represents a significant advancement in the field of cytogenetics. This framework, which integrates semantic feature learning and chromosome class distribution learning, is designed to automate the detection and classification of 24 types of chromosomes in raw metaphase cell images.
February 17, 2025 — Source

NanoCas, a smaller version of CRISPR tested with a single AAV, delivers on-target results
Mammoth Biosciences researchers have developed NanoCas, an ultracompact CRISPR nuclease, demonstrating its ability to perform gene editing in non-liver tissues, including skeletal muscle, using a single adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector. Experiments in non-human primates (NHPs) resulted in editing efficiencies exceeding 30% in muscle tissues.
February 17, 2025 — Source

New gene switch may lead to precise treatments for metabolic diseases
ETH researchers have developed a new gene switch that can be activated using a commercially available nitroglycerine patch applied to the skin. One day, researchers want to use switches of this kind to trigger cell therapies for various metabolic diseases.
February 17, 2025 — Source

New lipid nanoparticle platform delivers mRNA to the brain through the blood-brain barrier
The findings, demonstrated in mouse models and isolated human brain tissue, could expand treatment options for neurological and psychiatric diseases
February 17, 2025 — Source

Refining the CRISPR scissors
The CRISPR-Cas gene scissors offer a wide range of potential applications, from the treatment of genetic diseases to antiviral therapies and diagnostics. However, to safely harness their powers, scientists are searching for mechanisms that can regulate or inhibit the systems' activity.
February 17, 2025 — Source

Zebrafish study uncovers spatial cues that shape neuron diversity beyond gene expression
Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence researchers have identified over 60 transcriptomic neuron types in the zebrafish optic tectum with nearly identical gene-expression profiles yet very different functions and shapes, demonstrating that spatial positioning influences neuronal function and morphology.
February 17, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — February 14th, 2025

CRISPR system variant shows a novel DNA cleavage mechanism
Researchers have revealed new details about the CRISPR-Cas5-HNH/Cascade complex, a variant of the type I-E CRISPR-Cas system, providing insights into its DNA recognition and cleavage mechanisms.
February 14, 2025 — Source

Feet first: Understanding how mRNA helps cells 'walk'
Cells in the body have to move around in order to do their jobs. During development, for instance, cells are distributed to create and grow tissue. And in the event of an immune response, different cells are shuttled around. While this process, known as cell migration, is essential for health, it can also go awry and contribute to disease, including chronic inflammation, fibrotic diseases, and cancer metastasis.
February 14, 2025 — Source

Water molecules help proteins read the human genome, research reveals
In a study published in Nature Structural and Molecular Biology, scientists from the Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics at Karolinska Institutet, have discovered that water molecules play a crucial role in helping proteins, specifically transcription factors, read and regulate the human genome.
February 14, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — February 10th, 2025

Genetic insights reveal plant adaptation to climate change
As climate change accelerates, plants face mounting pressure to adapt to shifting ecosystems and environmental conditions. This challenge is especially urgent for crops—plants resilient to drought and heat are essential to secure food supply in an unpredictable future. Fortunately, plants can adapt remarkably well to diverse environments and climates: Arabidopsis thaliana, for example, thrives in regions as climatically distinct as Sweden and Italy.
February 10, 2025 — Source

Older women face higher risks with new gene therapies for eye diseases, study finds
Older women could be vulnerable to harmful inflammation from new gene therapies to treat incurable eye diseases, new research has found. The University of Bristol-led study, published in Molecular Therapy, reveals how age and gender affect inflammation caused by gene therapy treatments and could cause damage to the eye.
February 10, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — February 7th, 2025

DNA barcodes and citizen science images map spread of biocontrol agent for control of major invasive shrub
New CABI-led research using publicly-shared DNA barcodes and citizen science images have provided new evidence on the establishment and spread of a biological control agent used for the control of the major invasive shrub Lantana camara.
February 7, 2025 — Source or Source

Epistasis: Unlocking the secrets of complex diseases
Imagine your doctor calls you to discuss the results of your genetic testing. They tell you your results indicate you are highly likely to develop Alzheimer's disease. But not to worry, because they caught it early, you can start a personalized course of treatment tailored to your unique genetic makeup right away.
February 7, 2025 — Source

Genetic overlaps in 72 long-term health conditions identified
The largest study to date to analyze millions of both genetic and patient records on the long-term health conditions of later life has identified opportunities for new ways to prevent and treat multiple overlapping conditions.
February 7, 2025 — Source

Genetic research unlocks new ways to prevent and treat multiple long-term conditions
The largest study to date to analyse millions of both genetic and patient records on the long-term health conditions of later life has identified opportunities for new ways to prevent and treat multiple overlapping conditions.
February 7, 2025 — Source

Genetic study sheds light on changes that shaped human brain evolution
A new Yale study provides a fuller picture of the genetic changes that shaped the evolution of the human brain, and how the process differed from the evolution of chimpanzees.
February 7, 2025 — Source

Nerve cells optimize energy by controlling mRNA and protein distribution, study finds
Nerve cells have amazing strategies to save energy and still perform the most important of their tasks. Researchers from the University Hospital Bonn (UKB) and the University of Bonn as well as the University Medical Center Göttingen found that the neuronal energy conservation program determines the location and number of messenger RNA (mRNA) and proteins and differs depending on the length, longevity and other properties of the respective molecule.
February 7, 2025 — Source

New DNA research examines predecessors of Red Lady of El Mirón
About 19,000 years ago, a woman from a group of hunter-gatherers died and was buried in a cave in northern Spain. In 1996, archaeologists started exploring the cave, finding abundant evidence of prehistoric people and their activities.
February 7, 2025 — Source

Scientists discover mitochondria's role in shaping memory circuits
Virginia Tech neuroscientists have uncovered a mitochondrial process that supports the brain cells critical for learning, memory, and social recognition.
February 7, 2025 — Source

Scientists produce first complete genome of a banana slug
Scientists at UC Santa Cruz have completed the first end-to-end genome of the iconic Pacific banana slug, a species synonymous with California's coastal redwood forests and the university's beloved mascot.
February 7, 2025 — Source

Spliceosome: How cells avoid errors when manufacturing mRNA
Structural biologists provide a first-time look at the atomic level into the quality control mechanism of this complex molecular machine
February 7, 2025 — Source

Study unveils new insights into how neural stem cells are activated in the adult human brain
A University of Ottawa neuroscientist has led a Canadian research team to reveal important new insights into the activation dynamics of neural stem cells (NSCs). These are the stem cells that build our central nervous systems and self-renew.
February 7, 2025 — Source

The spliceosome: An atomic-level look into how cells avoid errors when manufacturing mRNA
A complex molecular machine, the spliceosome, ensures that the genetic information from the genome, after being transcribed into mRNA precursors, is correctly assembled into mature mRNA. Splicing is a basic requirement for producing proteins that fulfill an organism's vital functions. Faulty functioning of a spliceosome can lead to a variety of serious diseases.
February 7, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — February 5th, 2025

Customized living materials: Genetic tweaks enable precise control
Rice University researchers have revealed novel sequence-structure-property relationships for customizing engineered living materials (ELMs), enabling more precise control over their structure and how they respond to deformation forces like stretching or compression.
February 5th, 2025 — Source

Missing link in Indo-European languages' history found
New insights into our linguistic roots via ancient DNA analysis
February 5th, 2025 — Source

Next-generation mRNA vaccine delivery system uses biodegradable polymers
A research team from POSTECH has developed a biodegradable polymer-based delivery system that efficiently transports mRNA. The study was recently published in Biomaterials.
February 5th, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — February 3rd, 2025

East Asian adults more prone to iron-related chronic disease, show studies
Humans are prone to iron deficiency—it's the most common nutrient deficiency on the planet. But too much iron is dangerous, too.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source

Gene therapy may be 'one-shot stop' for rare bone disease
For the last 10 years, the only effective treatment for hypophosphatasia (HPP) has been an enzyme replacement therapy that must be delivered by injection three to six times each week.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source

Heart health differences in men and women: Tiny RNA molecules play key role, study finds
There are notable differences between men and women in their susceptibility to many human diseases, including cardiovascular disease. For example, women typically have smaller hearts that pump faster, while men have larger hearts that pump more blood with each heartbeat.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source

Nature-inspired nanotechnology uses genetic drugs as immunotherapy
A large research team led by nanotechnologist Roy van der Meel rebuild the body's own proteins and fats into nano delivery vans that get genetic medicines to exactly the right place in the body. In a joint effort with researchers from Radboudumc they worked for five years on this groundbreaking nanotransport system, the results of which were published in Nature Nanotechnology ("Nature-inspired platform nanotechnology for RNA delivery to myeloid cells and their bone marrow progenitors").
February 3rd, 2025 — Source or Source

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NZ's gene technology reform carries benefits and risks—a truly independent regulator will be vital
Genetic modification is back on the political agenda in New Zealand. The issue may not be as hotly contentious as it once was, but big questions remain about the way forward.
February 3rd, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — January 24th, 2025

Engineers develop microfluidic protocol to extract and purify DNA
Call it the science of small, but a trio of University of Florida chemical engineers have developed a lab-on-a-chip process that could make a big difference for DNA research and, ultimately, patients.
January 24th, 2025 — Source

Genomic analyses reveal human activity's vital role in Amazonian species' genetic makeup
The research aims to understand this keystone species' genetic health and adaptability, help reconstruct its demographic history, and assess the long-term impacts of human interaction on forest ecosystems. The findings emphasize the need for conservation strategies to consider both ecological and anthropogenic factors.
January 24th, 2025 — Source

For real, we may be taking blood pressure readings all wrong
For instance, people who had high blood pressure readings while lying down but not while seated had an estimated 53 percent higher relative risk of coronary heart disease than people with normal blood pressure. They had a 51 percent higher risk of heart failure, a 62 percent higher risk of stroke, a 78 percent higher risk of fatal coronary heart disease, and a 34 percent higher risk of all-cause mortality.
January 24th, 2025 — Source

Long read sequencing reveals more genetic information while cutting time and cost of rare disease diagnoses
One in every 10 people worldwide is impacted by a rare genetic disease but about 50% of them remain undiagnosed despite rapid increases in genetic technology and testing. Even when a person does have access to testing, the process of getting a diagnosis can take about five years or more, which is sometimes too late for patients, who are often children, to start the right treatment.
January 24th, 2025 — Source

Personalized therapy for rare genetic diseases: Patient-derived organoids offer new hope
Children's Mercy Kansas City has achieved a significant advancement toward the treatment of rare genetic diseases through the use of personalized antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). This innovative approach has shown promising results in preclinical evaluations, which offers new hope for patients with previously untreatable conditions and validates personalized therapies for patients in only eight weeks, significantly faster and more cost-effective than the industry average.
January 24th, 2025 — Source

Q&A: Delivering gene therapy to the lung using nanoparticles
Q&A: Delivering gene therapy to the lung using nanoparticles
January 24th, 2025 — Source

Science Newsfrom research organizations
Long read sequencing reveals more genetic information while cutting time and cost of rare disease diagnoses
January 24th, 2025 — Source

Microscopy innovation turns viruses into precision measurement tools
Measuring objects smaller than the wavelength of light challenges even the most sophisticated microscopes. When biologists study cellular structures just tens of nanometers wide - like the machinery that reads DNA or the channels that transport molecules - they need to know their measurements are accurate. A microscope miscalibrated by just a few nanometers can lead to incorrect conclusions about how cellular components fit and function together.
January 24th, 2025 — Source

Researchers pioneer DNA-tagged gold nanoparticles for targeted cancer treatment
A team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has developed a novel method to enhance the precision of cancer treatment using gold nanoparticles tagged with DNA barcodes.
January 24th, 2025 — Source or Source

Study finds companies with strong political ties generate more money
High-level political connections within a company's board of directors can significantly enhance market perceptions of the value of corporate cash holdings, according to a new study.
January 24th, 2025 — Source

Study finds OCD patients' decision making mirrors general population
Although obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) can be treated, research has shown that people with the disorder tend to have a lower quality of life than neurotypical people. Many struggle to achieve the same levels of education and financial stability as people without the disorder.
January 24th, 2025 — Source

Study reveals new mechanism behind gene expression regulation in animal cells
A research team at KAIST has identified the core gene expression networks regulated by key proteins that fundamentally drive phenomena such as cancer development, metastasis, tissue differentiation from stem cells, and neural activation processes. This discovery lays the foundation for developing innovative therapeutic technologies.
January 24th, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — January 22nd, 2025

A novel k-mer analysis tool based on next-generation sequencing for foreign DNA detection in genome-edited products
Genetic changes have the ability to alter crop characteristics, and some crop breeding techniques take advantage of this. Conventionally, genetic engineering has relied on natural or artificial mutations.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source

Can DNA-nanoparticle motors reach the same speed as motor proteins?
(Nanowerk News) DNA-nanoparticle motors are exactly as they sound: tiny artificial motors that use the structures of DNA and RNA to propel motion by enzymatic RNA degradation. Essentially, chemical energy is converted into mechanical motion by biasing the Brownian motion. The DNA-nanoparticle motor uses the "burnt-bridge" Brownian ratchet mechanism. In this type of movement, the motor is being propelled by the degradation (or "burning") of the bonds (or "bridges") it crosses along the substrate, essentially biasing its motion forward.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source

Complete recombination map of the human genome created
Scientists at deCODE genetics/Amgen have constructed a complete map of how human DNA is mixed as it is passed down during reproduction. The map marks a major step in the understanding of genetic diversity and its impact on health and fertility. It continues 25 years of research at deCODE genetics into how new diversity is generated in the human genome, and its relationship to health and disease.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source

Editing embryos to prevent genetic diseases: Study sparks ethical debate
Scientists from a collaboration of Australian research institutions have proposed that editing multiple genetic variants in human embryos could significantly lower the likelihood of developing complex diseases such as coronary artery disease, Alzheimer's, major depressive disorder, diabetes, and schizophrenia.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source

Engineered DNA-Nanoparticle Motors Achieve Motor Protein Speeds
Researchers from the Institute for Molecular Science aimed to level out the speed difference between artificial motors and motor proteins by improving the nanoscale artificial motor using their understanding of molecular motors. The study was published in Nature Communications.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source

Final synthetic yeast chromosome unlocks new era in biotechnology
(Nanowerk News) Macquarie University researchers have worked with an international team of scientists to achieve a major milestone in synthetic biology by completing the creation of the final chromosome in the world's first synthetic yeast genome.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source or Source

Insurance coverage and type of employment shape inequities in access to semaglutide
Developed initially to manage diabetes, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists have skyrocketed in popularity since the US Food & Drug Administration first approved semaglutide (brand name Ozempic/Wegovy) for weight loss in 2021. Approval of tirzepatide (brand name Mounjaro/Zepbound), an even more efficacious medication, soon followed in 2023.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source

Largest study on the genetics of bipolar disorder to date gives new insights into the underlying biology
Bipolar disorder is a complex psychiatric disorder, characterized by fluctuations between episodes of (hypo)mania and depression. It is estimated to affect around 40 to 50 million people worldwide. The disorder has been linked to a number of negative outcomes, including suicide, and it can take an average of 8 years to get a diagnosis. Yet, little is known about the biology of the condition.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source

Mom's X chromosome could speed up brain aging, study suggests
Women are born with two X chromosomes and inherit one from each parent. But in every cell of their body, just one X chromosome is needed—so the other is randomly inactivated. Some cells use only a maternal X chromosome; others rely only on the paternal X.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source

More than 100 years of data suggest men are growing taller and heavier at twice the rate of women
A gender specialist at the University of Genoa, in Italy, a psychologist at the University of Missouri, in the U.S., and a behavioralist at the University of Roehampton, in the U.K, have found that men are growing taller and heavier at twice the rate of women.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source

Nationwide patterns of severe events provide crucial data for hazard response and mitigation
An understanding of the relationship between severe weather and power outages in our changing climate will be critical for hazard response plans, according to a study led by a researcher at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source

New software package drives deeper understanding of trait evolution
Evolution is complex and difficult to study, but a new software package developed by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station offers researchers a better way to simulate how organisms change over time.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source

Proposed solution could bring DNA-nanoparticles motors up to speed with motor proteins
DNA-nanoparticle motors are exactly as they sound: tiny artificial motors that use the structures of DNA and RNA to propel motion through enzymatic RNA degradation. Essentially, chemical energy is converted into mechanical motion by biasing the Brownian motion.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source

Therapeutic blood clots activated by mRNA could cushion the blow of osteoarthritis
University of Wisconsin–Madison researchers have developed a promising technique for treating osteoarthritis using therapeutic blood clots activated by messenger RNA.
January 22nd, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — January 20th, 2025

Ancient viral DNA shapes early embryo development
Over half of our genomes consists of thousands of remnants of ancient viral DNA, known as transposable elements, which are widespread across the tree of life. Once dismissed as the 'dark side' of the genome, researchers have now revealed their crucial role in early embryo development.
January 20th, 2025 — Source or Source

RNA's biophysical behavior offers new insights into X chromosome inactivation
Science has revealed some of the secrets of the X chromosome, but many remain. In humans, female cells contain two X chromosomes (XX) and male cells contain one (XY). In each female cell, one X chromosome must be inactivated—crumpled up in such a way that the genetic code it contains cannot be read out.
January 20th, 2025 — Source

Smartwatches reveal insights into psychiatric illnesses and genetic links
Smartwatches that can collect physical and physiological data on users could be potentially interesting tools in biomedicine to gain a better understanding of brain diseases and behavioral disorders and possible driver mutations related to these pathologies.
January 20th, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — January 17th, 2025

A common antihistamine shows promise in treating liver complications of a rare disease complication
Researchers find that allergy medicine could help patients with a rare genetic disease avoid liver transplants.
January 17th, 2025 — Source

Genetic reanalysis results in more than 500 patients receiving diagnosis
The European consortium for Solving the Unsolved Rare Diseases has demonstrated the significance of international collaboration to address the unmet medical needs for rare diseases' diagnosis. More than 500 European patients with unknown conditions have received a diagnosis through new genetic research. This includes patients with rare neurological disorders, severe intellectual disabilities, muscle diseases, and hereditary gastrointestinal cancer.
January 17th, 2025 — Source

Large-scale analysis discovers genetic loci associated with allergic sensitization
Large-scale analysis discovers genetic loci associated with allergic sensitization
January 17th, 2025 — Source

Newly discovered mechanism enables precise gene regulation by combining DNA and RNA epigenetics
Our genes contain all the instructions our body needs to function, but their expression must be finely regulated to guarantee that each cell performs its role optimally. This is where DNA and RNA epigenetics come in: a series of mechanisms that act as "markers" on genes, to control their activity without modifying the DNA or RNA sequence itself.
January 17th, 2025 — Source

Over 500 European patients diagnosed through groundbreaking genetic research
More than 500 European patients with unknown conditions have received a diagnosis through new genetic research. This includes patients with rare neurological disorders, severe intellectual disabilities, muscle diseases, and hereditary gastrointestinal cancer. These diagnoses were achieved through extensive European collaboration, led by researchers from the University of Tübingen, Radboud university medical center, and the National Center for Genomic Analysis in Barcelona.
January 17th, 2025 — Source

RNA damage plays key role in sunburn reaction
Sunburn has traditionally been attributed to UV-induced DNA damage. However, a new study by the University of Copenhagen and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, reveals that RNA, another vital cellular molecule, plays a major role in triggering acute sunburn reactions.
January 17th, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — January 13th, 2025

DNA nanorobots can alter artificial cells
Scientists have succeeded in controlling the structure and function of biological membranes with the help of 'DNA origami'. The system they developed may facilitate the transportation of large therapeutic loads into cells. This opens up a new way for the targeted administration of medication and other therapeutic interventions. Thus, a very valuable instrument can be added to the toolbox of synthetic biology.
January 13th, 2025 — Source or Source or Source

DNA repair pathways reveal how tumor cells die after radiotherapy
Scientists at Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI) have solved a big mystery in cancer research—why cells die in different ways following radiotherapy. This surprising finding opens up new opportunities to improve treatment and increase cure rates.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Genetic discoveries drive new approaches to treating cerebral vascular malformations
Cerebral vascular malformations (CVMs), including cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and cavernous malformations (CCMs), have long posed challenges due to their complex origins and severe clinical implications. This comprehensive review, authored by an expert team at Beijing Tiantan Hospital, redefines CVMs as genetic and molecular-driven conditions, departing from the traditional view of congenital structural anomalies.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Immunofluorescence study sheds light on brain's DNA damage and repair processes
Brain cells receive sensory inputs from the outside world and send signals throughout the body telling organs and muscles what to do. Although neurons comprise only 10% of brain cells, their functional and genomic integrity must be maintained over a lifetime. Most dividing cells in the body have well-defined checkpoint mechanisms to sense and correct DNA damage during DNA replication.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Importance of RNA modifications in fungal infection resistance could lead to better treatments
An often-overlooked mechanism of gene regulation may be involved in the failure of antifungal drugs in the clinic, claims a German-Austrian research team led by the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology--Hans Knöll Institute (Leibniz-HKI).
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Long-read sequencing successfully uncovers genetic causes of rare diseases
The cause of rare diseases is increasingly being detected through genome sequencing, which involves reading the entire human DNA by first breaking it into small pieces—short reads. Christian Gilissen, Lisenka Vissers, and colleagues found that a new technique using long reads is even more effective at detecting complex causes.
January 13th, 2025 — Source or Source

Nuclear speckles identified as key hubs for gene expression regulation
Scientists at the University of California, Irvine, have discovered that nuclear speckles, a membraneless organelle within the nucleus, serve as central hubs for pre-mRNA 3′ end processing. This discovery advances our understanding of how spatial organization within cells impacts gene expression and could open new avenues for treating diseases influenced by RNA processing defects.
January 13th, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — January 9th, 2025

RNA's influence on sugar metabolism could transform gut health strategies
Researchers at the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI) and the Julius-Maximilians-Universität (JMU) in Würzburg have identified a protein and a group of small ribonucleic acids (sRNAs) in Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, which regulate sugar metabolism. These discoveries shed light on how this gut microbe adapts to varying nutritional conditions.
January 9th, 2025 — Source

Study questions accuracy of genetic test for opioid use disorder
Opioid misuse and specifically opioid use disorder (OUD), continues to represent a significant U.S. public health threat, with more than 6 million Americans aged 12 and older meeting the criteria for OUD in 2022. Efforts to ease the crisis have included the development of genetic testing to identify individuals most at risk for OUD.
January 9th, 2025 — Source

Synthetic beads mimic critical process in cell division, opening new paths for biomachines
In a study that could help scientists better understand and manipulate cell division, RIKEN biologists have engineered artificial structures that replicate one of life's most crucial processes—the precise division of packages of DNA known as chromosomes.
January 9th, 2025 — Source

What we eat affects our health—and can alter how our genes function
Fiber is well known to be an important part of a healthy diet, yet less than 10% of Americans eat the minimum recommended amount. A study from Stanford Medicine might finally convince us to fill our plates with beans, nuts, cruciferous veggies, avocados and other fiber-rich foods.
January 9th, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — January 8th, 2025

DNA sequencers found running ancient BIOS, posing risk to clinical research
Devices on six-year-old firmware vulnerable to takeover and destruction
January 8th, 2025 — Source

Human 'domainome' reveals root cause of heritable disease
Most mutations which cause disease by swapping one amino acid out for another do so by making the protein less stable, according to a massive study of human protein variants published in the journal Nature. Unstable proteins are more likely to misfold and degrade, causing them to stop working or accumulate in harmful amounts inside cells.
January 8th, 2025 — Source or Source

It's in the genes: Weight and metabolism determined by genetics more than diet
Shaped by fads and one-size-fits-all approaches, current dietary practices rely on the idea that everyone needs the same food to achieve similar results, an idea challenged by new research from the University of Virginia.
January 8th, 2025 — Source

Micro, modular, mobile—DNA-linked microrobots offer new possibilities in medicine and manufacturing
When robots are made out of modular units, their size, shape, and functionality can be modified to perform any number of tasks. At the microscale, modular robots could enable applications like targeted drug delivery and autonomous micromanufacturing; but building hundreds of identical robots the size of a red blood cell has its challenges.
January 8th, 2025 — Source

Newly discovered gene mutation in eye disease named after blind Irish poet
Researchers at University College Dublin (UCD) have discovered that a mutation in a gene called emc1 causes major vision problems in zebrafish. Zebrafish with this mutation had poorly developed eye cells, weaker responses to light, and changes in the normal structure of their retinas. These tiny, tropical fish are used as a tool to find novel genes that cause inherited blindness and help find better treatments for inherited retinal blindness.
January 8th, 2025 — Source

Novel brain mechanism links neurotransmitters to circadian gene expression
A collaborative effort between Mount Sinai and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has shed valuable light on how monoamine neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and now histamine help regulate brain physiology and behavior through chemical bonding of these monoamines to histone proteins, the core DNA-packaging proteins of our cells.
January 8th, 2025 — Source

Researchers unravel a novel mechanism regulating gene expression in the brain that could guide solutions to circadian and other disorders
A collaborative effort has shed valuable light on how monoamine neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and now histamine help regulate brain physiology and behavior through chemical bonding of these monoamines to histone proteins, the core DNA-packaging proteins of our cells.
January 8th, 2025 — Source

Study links gene-regulating brain circuit formation to autism and seizures
The gene neuropilin2 encodes a receptor involved in cell-cell interactions in the brain and plays a key role in regulating the development of neural circuits. Neuropilin2 controls migration of inhibitory neurons as well as the formation and maintenance of synaptic connections in excitatory neurons—two crucial components of brain activity.
January 8th, 2025 — Source

Study unveils 13 genes that increase the risk of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a painful condition in which cartilage—the protective cushioning between the joints—gradually breaks down. The progressive joint disease, which affects more than 32 million people in the United States, can eventually cause bone-on-bone friction, joint stiffness, and pain with every movement.
January 8th, 2025 — Source

The genes that grow a healthy brain can also fuel adult glioblastoma
UCSF scientists have discovered a stem cell in the young brain that's capable of forming the cells found in tumors. The breakthrough could explain how adult brain cells take advantage of developmental processes to instigate the explosive growth seen in deadly brain cancers like glioblastoma.
January 8th, 2025 — Source

The same gene can drive distinct medulloblastoma types in different ways
A study published in Nature Genetics reveals new insights into how medulloblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor of childhood, can arise as the cerebellum develops.
January 8th, 2025 — Source

Researchers reveal how a gene mutation can lead to devastating blood diseases
The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, reveals how a mutated gene called ASXL1 is involved in a disease called clonal hematopoiesis, a precursor to malignant diseases such as myeloid malignancies and chronic monomyelocytic leukemia.
January 8th, 2025 — Source

UCD researchers discover gene mutation linked to vision problems in zebrafish
Researchers in University College Dublin (UCD) have discovered that a mutation in a gene called emc1 causes major vision problems in zebrafish. Zebrafish with this mutation had poorly developed eye cells, weaker responses to light, and changes in the normal structure of their retinas. These tiny, tropical fish are used as a tool to find novel genes that cause inherited blindness and help find better treatments for inherited retinal blindness.
January 8th, 2025 — Source

Uncovering clues to a natural gene-editing technique
Diversity-generating retroelements (DGRs) are found in the genomes of microorganisms across the globe—from the arctic permafrost to Yellowstone's hot springs and the human gut. DGRs are able to reverse-transcribe RNA back to DNA in a form of natural gene-editing. This process accelerates the evolution of proteins to help microorganisms adapt to changing environments.
January 8th, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — January 7th, 2025

A passive resistance phenomenon: Marine bacteria use low tRNA levels to fend off viruses
As humans, we often focus on viruses and bacteria because of their role in causing various, sometimes severe, diseases. However, an equally fascinating but lesser-known phenomenon is the ongoing battle between bacteria and bacteriophages—viruses that specifically target and infect bacteria.
January 7th, 2025 — Source

BIOS flaws expose iSeq DNA sequencers to bootkit attacks
BIOS/UEFI vulnerabilities in the iSeq 100 DNA sequencer from U.S. biotechnology company Illumina could let attackers disable devices used for detecting illnesses and developing vaccines.
January 7th, 2025 — Source or Source

CRISPR therapy corrects muscular dystrophy mutations and regrows muscles in mice
Researchers at the Experimental and Clinical Research Center (ECRC), a joint institution of the Max Delbrück Center and Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, have developed a promising gene-editing approach intended to restore the function of a protein that is essential to repair and regrow muscle in patients with muscular dystrophy diseases.
January 7th, 2025 — Source

Fluorescent RNA complexes offer new insights into cellular dynamics
The specific labeling of RNA in living cells poses many challenges. In a new article published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology, researchers from the University of Innsbruck describe a structure-guided approach to the formation of covalent (i.e., irreversibly tethered) RNA-ligand complexes.
January 7th, 2025 — Source

Gene therapy could treat chronic hypereosinophilia
A study published in Human Gene Therapy has involved the generation of a human monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against human eosinophils. The heavy and light chains of that fully human anti-human eosinophil mAb were delivered via an adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy to immunodeficient mice, where they suppressed levels of human eosinophils in vivo.
January 7th, 2025 — Source

Genetic cause for main type of hearing loss in children with Down syndrome identified
The genetic cause for the most common type of hearing loss in children with Down syndrome has been identified in mice by researchers at UCL, the Francis Crick Institute and MRC Harwell Institute.
January 7th, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — January 6th, 2025

Genetic discovery offers hope for personalized epilepsy treatments
Recent research led by UTHealth Houston scientists has uncovered two genes associated with variants linked to epilepsy, which showed specific traits that make them promising diagnostic biomarkers.
January 6th, 2025 — Source

Genetic testing could improve treatment for patients with the virulent multidrug-resistant fungus Candida auris
A new study shows that genetic testing could be used to determine which drugs will—and won't—work for patients with Candida auris (C. auris), a multidrug-resistant yeast that causes life-threatening disease. These findings could improve treatment for C. auris infections by enabling patients to start taking effective antifungal agents sooner.
January 6th, 2025 — Source

Genetically altered fat cells in mice show promise for obesity treatment
Obese mice whose fat cells were genetically altered to produce an increased amount of the glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide receptor (GIPR) lost more than a third of their body weight through a mechanism that burns energy, UT Southwestern Medical Center researchers report in a new study.
January 6th, 2025 — Source

Scientists identify 11 genes affected by PFAS, shedding light on neurotoxicity
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) earn their "forever chemical" moniker by persisting in water, soil and even the human brain. This unique ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in brain tissue makes PFAS particularly concerning, but the underlying mechanism of their neurotoxicity must be studied further.
January 6th, 2025 — Source

Study unveils novel pathway triggering immune response to DNA damage
A research team from the University of California, Irvine has revealed a previously unknown mechanism that triggers an inflammatory immune response in cells when their DNA is damaged. This discovery deepens the understanding of a new type of cell signaling that may lead to more effective treatments for cancer.
January 6th, 2025 — Source

Yemeni DNA reveals ancient ties to the Levant, Arabia and East Africa
Researchers from Khalifa University, United Arab Emirates, working with regional and international collaborators, have examined Yemeni DNA to reveal how migrations from the Levant, Arabia, and East Africa formed the modern Yemeni gene pool. Analysis of Yemeni genomes revealed genetic contributions from both the Levant and East Africa, with significant regional influxes occurring at different historical periods.
January 6th, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — January 3rd, 2025

Genetic mutation in esophageal cancer found to have dual effects
A genetic fault long believed to drive the development of esophageal cancer may in fact play a protective role early in the disease, according to new research published in Nature Cancer. This unexpected discovery could help doctors identify which individuals are at greater risk of developing cancer, potentially leading to more personalized and effective preventive strategies.
January 3rd, 2025 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — December 31st, 2024

Gene therapy research offers hope for people with chronic kidney disease
Researchers are making strides in improving gene therapies for genetic diseases, particularly chronic kidney disease, using adeno-associated virus, or AAV, vectors. While AAV-based treatments have shown promise, delivering these therapies effectively to the kidneys has remained a challenge—until now.
December 31st, 2024 — Source

Genomics-informed model beneficial for neurodevelopmental disorders
For patients with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), a genomics-informed model can provide clinical benefits, directly affecting management, according to a study published online Dec. 18 in Genetics in Medicine.
December 31st, 2024 — Source

Introducing HORNET, a novel RNA structure visualization method that correlates sequence and 3D topology
National Cancer Institute researchers have developed a method called HORNET for characterizing 3D topological structures of large and flexible RNA molecules. Scientists used atomic force microscopy (AFM) with deep neural networks and unsupervised machine learning to capture individual conformers under physiological conditions.
December 31st, 2024 — Source

New 'molecular flashlight' technique detects brain metastases in mice using ultra-thin light probe
Monitoring molecular changes in the brain caused by cancer and other neurological pathologies in a non-invasive way is one of the major challenges in biomedical research. A new experimental technique has achieved this by introducing light into the brains of mice using an ultra-thin probe. The study is published in the journal Nature Methods by an international team that includes groups from the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO) and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC).
December 31st, 2024 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — December 30th, 2024

40 years of research into genetic causes of childhood and adolescent cancers
Cancer in children and adolescents is rare. Nevertheless, malignant diseases are still one of the most common causes of death in this age group. Survivors of childhood or adolescent cancer often suffer chronic health problems with increased morbidity and mortality rates.
December 30th, 2024 — Source

Foreign DNA 'sneaks' past bacterial defenses, aiding antibiotic resistance
A new study by Tel Aviv University reveals how bacterial defense mechanisms can be neutralized, enabling the efficient transfer of genetic material between bacteria. The researchers believe this discovery could pave the way for developing tools to address the antibiotic resistance crisis and promote more effective genetic manipulation methods for medical, industrial, and environmental purposes.
December 30th, 2024 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — December 29th, 2024

What you should know about pancreatic cancer screening
Pancreatic cancer screening has advanced significantly in recent years. There are now research-based guidelines on screening for people at high risk of developing the disease, and researchers are collaborating to develop new screening approaches involving genetic testing and artificial intelligence (AI).
December 29th, 2024 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — December 27th, 2024

Craving carbs? Blame an ancient gene.
We, Neanderthals, and Denisovans all have extra copies of a starch-digesting enzyme.
December 27th, 2024 — Source

Sustained visual improvements in LHON patients treated with AAV gene therapy
A multinational study led by the LHON Study Group has revealed sustained visual improvements and a favorable safety profile five years following lenadogene nolparvovec gene therapy in patients with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) caused by the MT-ND4 gene mutation.
December 27th, 2024 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — December 25th, 2024

Ancient genomes provide final word in Indo-European linguistic origins
A team of 91 researchers—including famed geneticist Eske Willerslev at the Lundbeck Foundation GeoGenetics Center, University of Copenhagen—has discovered a Bronze Age genetic divergence connected to eastern and western Mediterranean Indo-European language speakers.
December 25th, 2024 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — December 16th, 2024

Influenza's protective coat and RNA interactions mapped at atomic level
To fight the virus that causes influenza, one of the avenues being explored by scientists is the development of drugs capable of destabilizing its genome, which is made up of eight RNA molecules. But the challenge is daunting: Each RNA molecule is tightly bound to an assembly of proteins which creates a double helix, forming a protective coat that is difficult to manipulate.
December 16th, 2024 — Source

Newly discovered degradation process for mRNA could lead to clinical treatments
Researchers at the University of Würzburg have discovered a process that breaks down mRNA molecules in the human body particularly efficiently. This could be useful, for example, in the treatment of cancer.
December 16th, 2024 — Source

Researchers discover molecular events leading to Rett syndrome
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute (Duncan NRI) at Texas Children's Hospital and collaborating institutions have gained new insights into the molecular changes leading to Rett syndrome, a severe neurological disorder caused by mutations in the MeCP2 gene encoding methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (MeCP2).
December 16th, 2024 — Source

Scientists discover that pseudouridine molecule guides epigenetic inheritance in plants and mammals
Not everything inside us is, strictly speaking, us. The closer we look at the genome, the more we appreciate the role of small RNAs in what we call epigenetic inheritance. That's when traits get passed down without altering our basic DNA sequence.
December 16th, 2024 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — December 13th, 2024

A new twist: The molecular machines that loop chromosomes also twist DNA
Scientists from the Kavli Institute of Delft University of Technology and the IMP Vienna Biocenter have discovered a new property of the molecular motors that shape our chromosomes. While six years ago they found that these so-called SMC motor proteins make long loops in our DNA, they have now discovered that these motors also put significant twists into the loops that they form.
December 13th, 2024 — Source

Genetic toolkit uses mouse models to modify and investigate gene function
A team at the Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) has developed a comprehensive set of innovative genetic tools and mouse lines, called iFlpMosaics, designed to enhance the study of gene function and its implications in health and disease.
December 13th, 2024 — Source

How cells repair DNA's protective barrier: Addressing a rare genetic disorder characterized by rapid aging in children
Researchers at Nano Life Science Institute (WPI-NanoLSI), Kanazawa University, have discovered how a protein called lamin A helps repair the protective barrier around a cell's DNA. The findings reveal lamin A's unique role and its potential for treating Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome, a rare disorder that causes premature aging.
December 13th, 2024 — Source

How DNA shapes reproductive health, fertility and even life expectancy
Led by researchers from the University of Oxford's Leverhulme Center for Demographic Science and the University of Iceland, a review, published in Nature Aging, explores how genetic variations can explain differences in reproductive health and longevity.
December 13th, 2024 — Source

Key genetic mechanism provides insights into facial development and congenital issues
An international team of researchers has identified a key genetic mechanism that regulates the formation and migration of cranial neural crest cells, which are essential for developing facial structures.
December 13th, 2024 — Source

Mini-brains reveal how mitochondrial mutations affect brain cells
Researchers at the University of Bergen have used advanced stem cell technology to develop mini-brains, also called brain organoids, that can mimic disease processes caused by mitochondrial failure. This could open new avenues for treating serious brain diseases such as epilepsy.
December 13th, 2024 — Source

Potential new mRNA-based therapy for pre-eclampsia
A single injection of the therapeutic candidate was associated with improvements in maternal blood pressure in two mice models.
December 13th, 2024 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — December 10th, 2024

Gene variant linked to reduced thiopurine metabolism in African ancestry
Mayo Clinic researchers found that a gene variant, the TPMT∗8 allele, is associated with reduced metabolism of the thiopurine class of drugs. TPMT∗8 is relatively common in individuals of African or African American descent.
December 10th, 2024 — Source

Nanopore direct RNA sequencing finds cancer's 'fingerprint' to improve early detection
Different types of cancer have unique molecular "fingerprints" which are detectable in early stages of the disease and can be picked up with near-perfect accuracy by small, portable scanners in just a few hours, according to a study published today in the journal Molecular Cell.
December 10th, 2024 — Source

Researchers unlock new gene therapy targets for diabetic kidney disease
New potential therapeutic targets have been identified for diabetic kidney disease (DKD)—the leading cause of kidney failure in the world—that could see patients treated with new gene and drug therapies preventing the disease's progression into end stage kidney failure.
December 10th, 2024 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — December 6th, 2024

Cohort study shows cannabis use increases risk of psychosis independently from genetic predisposition
New research from King's College London and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust has shown that genetic load for schizophrenia and frequent use of cannabis have independent links to the likelihood of developing clinical psychosis. The results provide insight into possible future ways to identify those at higher risk of psychosis and help inform preventative strategies.
December 6th, 2024 — Source

Computer modeling shows close encounters between distant DNA regions cause bursts of gene activity
Researchers at Kyushu University have revealed how spatial distance between specific regions of DNA is linked to bursts of gene activity. Using advanced cell imaging techniques and computer modeling, the researchers showed that the folding and movement of DNA, as well as the accumulation of certain proteins, changes depending on whether a gene is active or inactive.
December 6th, 2024 — Source

Drug offers cost-effective protection for newborns with genetic bleeding disorder
Severe hemophilia A is a genetic disorder that prevents blood from clotting properly, posing a constant risk of dangerous bleeding episodes. Infants with severe hemophilia A (HA) are at risk of brain bleeds, which can lead to serious long-term brain damage. Emicizumab (Hemlibra) was approved by the FDA in 2018 to prevent and reduce bleeding for patients who suffer from hemophilia A.
December 6th, 2024 — Source

Exploring how our first language is echoed in our genesA person's native language is often referred to as their "mother tongue." But does a first language always come from your mother?
#2693
December 6th, 2024 — Source

Researchers at Kyushu University have revealed how spatial distance between specific regions of DNA is linked to bursts of gene activity. Using advanced cell imaging techniques and computer modeling, the researchers showed that the folding and movement of DNA, as well as the accumulation of certain proteins, changes depending on whether a gene is active or inactive.
#2693
December 6th, 2024 — Source

Newborn screening by genome sequencing shown to be safe and effective in two clinical studies
Two studies published in the American Journal of Human Genetics show the potential for genomic screening in newborns to address high rates of infant hospitalization and mortality in the United States. Presently, hundreds of genetic diseases are either preventable or treatable but currently are detected only after a child falls ill and endures a years-long "diagnostic odyssey," often receiving diagnoses too late to achieve the best outcomes.
December 6th, 2024 — Source

Newly discovered mechanism in mitochondria could lead to new treatment for muscle disorders
Researchers have discovered a mechanism in our cells that is essential to energy production in the muscles. The discovery may lead to new treatment for disorders affecting the muscles, such as diabetes, cancer and cardiovascular disease.
December 6th, 2024 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — November 29th, 2024

RNA enzyme found key to heart cell energy shift after birth
Study reveals how an RNA enzyme drives the postnatal switch from glucose to fatty acids in heart cells, highlighting ketogenesis as essential for metabolism.
November 29th, 2024 — Source

Scientists find cause of rare devastating, autoimmune disease in Puerto Ricans—but also find potential treatment
A rare autoimmune condition with a tongue-twister of a name may impact people of Puerto Rican heritage through a newly discovered genetic pathway, a discovery that may ultimately guide genetic counseling and treatment, scientists associated with the discovery say.
November 29th, 2024 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — November 27th, 2024

Decoding the structure of nano 'gene ferries' to advance RNA drugs
LMU researchers have investigated how cationic polymers organize on a molecular level when transporting RNA drugs.
November 27th, 2024 — Source

DNA-based bioink technology enables precise 3D-printing of blood vessels
Researchers at the University of Twente, Netherlands, have made an advancement in bioprinting technology that could transform how we create vascularized tissues. Their innovative bioink, recently featured in Advanced Healthcare Materials, introduces a way to precisely guide the growth and organization of tiny blood vessels within 3D-bioprinted tissues.
November 27th, 2024 — Source

Drug research: Decoding the structure of nano 'gene ferries'
Researchers have investigated how cationic polymers organize on a molecular level when transporting RNA drugs.
November 27th, 2024 — Source

Engineering DNA to mimic biological catch bonds with 'fish-hook' system
In a first-of-its-kind breakthrough, a team of UBC Okanagan researchers has developed an artificial adhesion system that closely mimics natural biological interactions.
November 27th, 2024 — Source

FDA approves Kebilidi for aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved PTC Therapeutics' Kebilidi (eladocagene exuparvovec-tneq) for the treatment of adult and pediatric patients with aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency.
November 27th, 2024 — Source

'Genetic time machine' reveals complex chimpanzee cultures
Chimpanzees are known for their remarkable intelligence and use of tools, but could their cultures also evolve over time like human cultures? A new, multidisciplinary study suggests that some of their most advanced behaviors may have been passed down and refined through generations.
November 27th, 2024 — Source

New insights into cationic polymer structure in RNA drug delivery
LMU researchers have investigated how cationic polymers organize on a molecular level when transporting RNA drugs.
November 27th, 2024 — Source

Preclinical tests show mRNA-based treatments effective for blinding condition
A preclinical study by Mass Eye and Ear investigators showed that a novel mRNA-based therapy may be able to prevent blindness and scarring from proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) following a retinal detachment repair or traumatic injury to the eye. There is no current treatment for PVR other than surgery, which itself carries a high risk of causing or exacerbating PVR.
November 27th, 2024 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — November 25th, 2024

Innovative approach maps gene activity in the living human brain
A new method to profile gene activity in the living human brain has been developed by researchers at FutureNeuro, the Research Ireland Center for Translational Brain Science and RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences, in collaboration with international partners. This innovative approach, published in JCI Insight, opens new avenues for understanding and treating neurological conditions such as epilepsy.
November 25th, 2024 — Source

Innovative Lipid Nanoparticle Design for Enhanced mRNA Delivery and Efficacy
Scientists from the University of Pennsylvania have developed an ideal "recipe" for ionizable lipids, which are essential components of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), the molecules that underlie the COVID-19 vaccines and other cutting-edge treatments, to enhance mRNA delivery. The study was published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering.
November 25th, 2024 — Source

Groundbreaking research sheds light on mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome
Mitochondrial DNA depletion syndrome (MTDPS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by a marked decrease in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). This condition can cause symptoms including muscle weakness, fatigue, and neurological issues, particularly affecting the liver and brain in cases of hepatocerebral MTDPS. Mitochondrial diseases, which represent some of the most common types of metabolic disorders, can result in the failure of multiple organ systems.
November 25th, 2024 — Source

Molecular morphers: DNA-powered gels shape-shift on command
Johns Hopkins engineers have developed gel strips that change shape when given chemical instructions written in DNA code. These "gel automata," measuring just centimeters, can grow or shrink, transforming from one letter or number to another when triggered by specific DNA molecules. This breakthrough opens possibilities for shape-shifting robots and medical devices that can reconfigure themselves to perform various tasks.
November 25th, 2024 — Source

New mechanism in bacterial DNA enzyme opens pathways for antibiotic development
Researchers from Durham University, Jagiellonian University (Poland) and the John Innes Center have achieved a breakthrough in understanding DNA gyrase, a vital bacterial enzyme and key antibiotic target. This enzyme, present in bacteria but absent in humans, plays a crucial role in supercoiling DNA, a necessary process for bacterial survival.
November 25th, 2024 — Source

Small RNAs might drive COPD progression: Research lays foundation for potential new diagnostics and therapies
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects nearly 12 million people in the U.S. alone and is the third leading cause of death worldwide. High levels of immune molecules known as cytokines, which can damage the lungs, are a hallmark of COPD.
November 25th, 2024 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — November 23rd, 2024

RNA editing is the next frontier in gene therapy—here's what you need to know
The United States Food and Drug Administration has just approved the first-ever clinical trial that uses CRISPR-Cas13 RNA editing. Its aim is to treat an eye disease called wet age-related macular degeneration that causes vision loss in millions of older people worldwide.
November 23rd, 2024 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — November 21st, 2024

3D snapshots unveil the intricate dance of RNA folding
In a groundbreaking development, researchers from the United States and Denmark have successfully captured 3D images of individual RNA nanoparticles in the midst of their folding process. Utilizing a cutting-edge electron microscopy technique, the team has unlocked new insight into the intricate folding dance leading to the final shape of RNA molecules.
November 21st, 2024 — Source

DNA repair: A look inside the cell's 'repair cafe'
New research sheds light on how cells repair damaged DNA. For the first time, the team has mapped the activity of repair proteins in individual human cells. The study demonstrates how these proteins collaborate in so-called 'hubs' to repair DNA damage. This knowledge offers opportunities to improve cancer therapies and other treatments where DNA repair is essential.
November 21st, 2024 — Source or Source

DNA-based methods found highly effective for identifying insect species
A team of researchers from Linnaeus University and Linköping University, extensively evaluated DNA barcoding and metabarcoding methods. A comprehensive study has demonstrated that DNA-based methods are remarkably reliable for identifying insect species and estimating biodiversity. Barcoding approaches offer robust and resource-efficient alternatives to traditional taxonomic identification, which is promising news for biodiversity research and conservation efforts.
November 21st, 2024 — Source

Florida panthers deemed unaffected by emerging fatal genetic condition in new research
University of Central Florida researchers have helmed a study that found Florida panthers are not particularly susceptible to a potentially transmissible disease that causes cognitive decline leading to death in their prey. The findings abate concerns that this fatal disease, known as chronic wasting disease, is threatening the species.
November 21st, 2024 — Source

Genetic research explores purple tea's health benefits
Purple tea, the product of long-term natural evolution, stands out for its high anthocyanin content, known for antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging effects. Unlike traditional green tea, purple tea is increasingly valued for its potential to boost metabolic health and offer disease prevention benefits.
November 21st, 2024 — Source

Genomic surveillance studies reveal circulation of multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales in Europe
Patients seeking treatment in hospital or other health care facilities can be particularly vulnerable to infections they acquire during their stay, especially if the infections are difficult to treat because they are resistant to commonly used drugs. For example, Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) are known to particularly affect hospitalized patients.
November 21st, 2024 — Source

Lipid nanoparticle-mRNA delivery system could transform neurological treatment
Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)-based therapeutics and the potential of mRNA as a treatment for various conditions has been researched for decades. A key challenge remains finding a delivery system that enables enough of the mRNA to reach target tissues safely without causing adverse effects.
November 21st, 2024 — Source

New genetic explanation for heart condition revealed
A potentially life-changing heart condition, dilated cardiomyopathy, can be caused by the cumulative influence of hundreds or thousands of genes and not just by a single "aberrant" genetic variant, as was previously thought, finds a new study led by researchers at UCL (University College London), Imperial College London and the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences.
November 21st, 2024 — Source

New imaging method enables detailed RNA analysis of the whole brain
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital have developed a microscopy method that enables detailed three-dimensional (3D) RNA analysis at cellular resolution in whole intact mouse brains. The new method, called TRISCO, has the potential to transform our understanding of brain function, both in normal conditions and in disease, according to a new study published in Science.
November 21st, 2024 — Source

Origin of life research finds RNA can favor both left- and right-handed proteins
The mystery of why life uses molecules with specific orientations has deepened with a discovery that RNA—a key molecule thought to have potentially held the instructions for life before DNA emerged—can favor making the building blocks of proteins in either the left-hand or the right-hand orientation. Resolving this mystery could provide clues to the origin of life.
November 21st, 2024 — Source

Researchers zero in on genetic variant tied to miscarriages
In what could be a major advance in understanding the genetic causes underlying human infertility, scientists led by researchers from Rutgers University-New Brunswick have identified a gene variant directly tied to early miscarriages in women.
November 21st, 2024 — Source

Scientists discover 'toolkit' to fix DNA breaks associated with aging, cancer and motor neuron disease
A new "toolkit" to repair damaged DNA that can lead to aging, cancer and motor neuron disease (MND) has been discovered by scientists at the Universities of Sheffield and Oxford.
November 21st, 2024 — Source

Single gene causes embryo notochord deformity in zebrafish, study reveals
Can a single protein-encoding gene determine whether a vertebrate embryo develops normally? Yes, according to Osaka Metropolitan University researchers, who found that suppression of Pcdh8 is essential for the notochord to elongate properly in zebrafish.
November 21st, 2024 — Source

Study links mitochondrial dysfunction to cognitive-metabolic impairments
Mitochondria possess their own DNA (mtDNA), which plays important roles in cellular respiration and energy consumption. Mutations in mtDNA can lead to severe human diseases. To advance our understanding of mitochondrial genetic disorders, there is a need to develop suitable animal models with targeted mtDNA mutations.
November 21st, 2024 — Source

Study reveals RNA's unknown role in DNA damage repair
A multi-institutional team of researchers, led by Georgia Tech's Francesca Storici, has discovered a previously unknown role for RNA. Their insights could lead to improved treatments for diseases like cancer and neurodegenerative disorders while changing our understanding of genetic health and evolution.
November 21st, 2024 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — November 18th, 2024

Discovery of new genes for molar pregnancies sheds light on their increased incidence in women aged 35 and over
A molar pregnancy, also known as a hydatidiform mole, is an abnormal human pregnancy with no embryo and an overgrowth of the cells that form the placenta. The common form of molar pregnancy affects one in every 600 pregnancies in Quebec.
November 18th, 2024 — Source

Innovative platform helps explore genetic links to 99 diseases
A new study introduces the Proteome-Wide Association Study Hub, an innovative and powerful tool designed to explore gene-disease connections across ninety-nine common diseases. Leveraging machine learning and statistical models, the platform (PWAS Hub) identifies genes linked to specific conditions, with separate analyses for male and female subjects as well as inheritance patterns. This accessible resource is set to advance personalized medicine by providing valuable genetic insights to clinicians, researchers, and the public.
November 18th, 2024 — Source or Source

New resource maps gene-disease links across common conditions, paving the way for personalized medicine
A new study introduces an innovative tool for exploring gene-disease connections: the PWAS Hub. This resource is based on the novel approach of the proteome-wide association study (PWAS), which complements traditional genetic analysis methods like the genome-wide association study (GWAS) by focusing on the effects of genetic variations on the biochemical function of all protein-coding genes.
November 18th, 2024 — Source

Research targets DNA repair vulnerabilities in female reproductive cancers
Each cell in our body experiences up to tens of thousands of DNA-damaging events per day, primarily from routine cellular maintenance or exposure to toxins in our environment. Despite the high frequency of wear-and-tear, cells have efficient repair mechanisms that work tirelessly, allowing our bodies to maintain our DNA in each one of our cells throughout our lifetimes.
November 18th, 2024 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — November 15th, 2024

Alternative experimental gene therapy restores hearing, boosts vision in tests
Harvard Medical School researchers have taken another decisive step in their efforts to develop a gene therapy for people with Usher syndrome type 1F, a rare condition that causes deafness and progressive blindness.
November 15th, 2024 — Source

Biologists reveal the genetic 'switch' behind parrot color diversity
From the Carnival in Rio de Janeiro to the shoulders of pirates: parrots are synonymous with color for people across the world. In a new study, scientists uncover a 'switch' in the DNA of parrots that controls their wide gamut of colors.
November 15th, 2024 — Source

Could You Get $10,000 From 23andMe's Data Breach Settlement? Here's What to Know
Nearly 7 million of 23andMe's customers were exposed in a recent data leak. Now they -- and potentially, you -- could be in line for a major payout.
November 15th, 2024 — Source

Evo—an AI-based model for deciphering and designing genetic sequences
Computer scientists, bioengineers and AI specialists from the Arc Institute and Stanford University have developed an AI-based model capable of decoding and designing genetic sequences. In their paper published in the journal Science, the group describes the factors that went into designing and building their model, which they have named Evo, and list multiple possible uses for it.
November 15th, 2024 — Source

FDA grants orphan drug designation to potential treatment of STXBP1 developmental and epileptic encephalopathy
Research that was carried out by Baylor College of Medicine and Texas Children's Hospital doctors has led to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granting Orphan Drug Designation to a treatment for developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) due to syntaxin-binding protein 1 (STXBP1) mutations.
November 15th, 2024 — Source

Genes of ancient animal relatives used to grow a mouse: Study reveals hidden history of stem cells
An international team of researchers has achieved an unprecedented milestone: the creation of mouse stem cells capable of generating a fully developed mouse using genetic tools from a unicellular organism, with which we share a common ancestor that predates animals.
November 15th, 2024 — Source

Scientists discover a rare missense variant in STAT6 that protects against asthma
Scientists at deCODE genetics and collaborators have published a study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology reporting a rare missense variant in STAT6 that protects against asthma.
November 15th, 2024 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — November 12th, 2024

One genomic test can diagnose nearly any infection
Next-generation metagenomic sequencing test developed at UCSF proves its effectiveness in quickly diagnosing almost any kind of pathogen.
November 12th, 2024 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — November 7th, 2024

DNA evidence rewrites histories for people buried in volcanic eruption in ancient PompeiiIn 79 CE, the active volcanic system in southern Italy known as Somma-Vesuvius erupted, burying the small Roman town of Pompeii and everyone in it. The "Pompeii eruption" covered everything in a layer of ash that preserved many of the bodies.
#2693
November 7th, 2024 — Source

DNA From Pompeii Victims Reveals Surprising Relationships Amidst the Chaos
Analysis of ancient DNA from the ashen casts of Pompeii victims changes presumed relationships between them, and reveals the port city's socioeconomic and geographic diversity.
November 7th, 2024 — Source

DNA sequencing reveals significant decrease in gut bacterial diversity during aging
A new study has revealed that gut bacteria may play a key role in aging, and that specific microbes could be targeted to promote healthy aging.
November 7th, 2024 — Source

Researchers find 41 new genetic regions linked to disc herniations
Lumbar disc herniation is one of the most common structural changes in the lower back and the most common cause of radiating pain, or sciatica, in the leg.
November 7th, 2024 — Source or Source

RNA-targeting CRISPR reveals that hundreds of noncoding RNAs are essential—not 'junk'
Genes contain instructions for making proteins, and a central dogma of biology is that this information flows from DNA to RNA to proteins. But only two percent of the human genome actually encodes proteins; the function of the remaining 98% remains largely unknown.
November 7th, 2024 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — November 5th, 2024

New modeling of complex biological systems could offer insights into genomic data and other huge datasets
Over the past two decades, new technologies have helped scientists generate a vast amount of biological data. Large-scale experiments in genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and cytometry can produce enormous quantities of data from a given cellular or multicellular system.
November 5th, 2024 — Source

Scientists develop test to better track whooping cough strains amid outbreak in Australia
Researchers at UNSW Sydney and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) have developed a new genomic test that can identify the specific strains of whooping cough (bacterium Bordetella pertussis).
November 5th, 2024 — Source

Two genes linked to rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis could serve as targets for diagnosis and treatment
Rheumatoid arthritis is a common disease affecting an estimated 17 million people worldwide. The disease is caused by immune cells attacking the joints and can result in pain, swelling, and damage to the cartilage and bone. People with rheumatoid arthritis often develop osteoporosis, a more serious condition, as a result of the bone damage caused by immune cells and as a side effect of certain medications.
November 5th, 2024 — Source or Source

What Does DNA Stand For, and How Does It Work?
All about DNA—no college degree necessary.
November 5th, 2024 — Source

Health — DNA — Genetics — November 1st, 2024

Advances in taro research: New gene silencing system enables rapid gene function verification
A research team has established a virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) system in taro, enabling researchers to rapidly verify gene functions in this underutilized crop. Utilizing a tobacco rattle virus (TRV)-based vector, the study paves the way for significant advancements in taro breeding and germplasm resource utilization, addressing the growing demand for improved crop varieties in both food and industrial applications.
November 1st, 2024 — Source

Discovery of a protein's key role in RNA processes could improve disease treatment in humans and plants
Texas A&M AgriLife researchers uncovered a promising target for controlling gene expression and other cellular processes, which could lead to advancements in crop resilience and our understanding of certain human diseases.
November 1st, 2024 — Source

RNA sequencing approach offers real-time and programmable transcriptome sequencing
The high complexity and diversity of the eukaryotic transcriptome poses significant challenges for the efficient detection of specific transcripts. Conventional targeted RNA-seq methods often require labor-intensive pre-sequencing enrichment steps, which can compromise comprehensive transcriptome profiling and limit their broader applications.
November 1st, 2024 — Source or Source