Chromosome 4 News and Research

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Humans normally have 46 chromosomes in each cell, divided into 23 pairs. Two copies of chromosome 4, one copy inherited from each parent, form one of the pairs. Chromosome 4 spans more than 191 million DNA building blocks (base pairs) and represents more than 6 percent of the total DNA in cells.

Identifying genes on each chromosome is an active area of genetic research. Because researchers use different approaches to predict the number of genes on each chromosome, the estimated number of genes varies. Chromosome 4 likely contains between 1,300 and 1,600 genes.

Genes on chromosome 4 are among the estimated 20,000 to 25,000 total genes in the human genome.

Researchers identify genetic variants related to starting point of Parkinson's disease

Researchers from the Institute of Neurosciences of the University of Barcelona, Hospital Clínic and the August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute have identified a group of genetic variants related to the starting point of Parkinson's disease.

27 Sep 2019

Scientists use ultrasound to detect active genes in live cells

A startling new study shows that ultrasound can help scientists to understand whether specific genes are in the active or inactive state in live cells.

27 Sep 2019

PWSA (USA) announces support for H.R.4144 - Ending the Diagnostic Odyssey Act of 2019

Today, PWSA (USA) announced its support for H.R.4144 - Ending the Diagnostic Odyssey Act of 2019, a bill to enable States to better provide access to whole genome sequencing clinical services for certain undiagnosed children under the Medicaid program, and for other purposes.

27 Sep 2019

Multiple sclerosis genomic map implicates immune cells in disease susceptibility

The International Multiple Sclerosis Genetic Consortium reports the results of its latest study, "Multiple sclerosis genomic map implicates peripheral immune cells and microglia in susceptibility", in the journal Science today: the highly productive collaborative group presents a new milestone in its efforts to understand the genetic basis of multiple sclerosis.

26 Sep 2019

Prostate cancer risk linked to assisted reproduction techniques

A study published in BMJ has revealed a link between the risk of prostate cancer and men who have become fathers via assisted reproduction techniques.

26 Sep 2019

Study: Whole genome sequencing can improve surveillance, control of gastroenteritis

A new study into one of the UK's leading causes of gastroenteritis has shown how whole genome sequencing can improve its surveillance and control of the disease.

25 Sep 2019

Improved mapping of genomes from 1,000 Swedish individuals

In so-called whole genome sequencing, surveys are made of the total genome of an individual. It is still relatively rare in healthcare today, but it occurs at an increasing rate, for example in order to make an accurate diagnosis in the case of a rare disease.

25 Sep 2019

Study uncovers new DNA sequences in Swedish genomes

People - or more specifically just Swedes - are more like chimpanzees than previously known. This is indicated in a genetic mapping of one thousand Swedish individuals, where new DNA sequences that should be included in the reference genome have been identified.

24 Sep 2019

Discovery provides potential therapeutic target for prostate cancers with PTEN mutation

PTEN, a tumor suppressor gene mutated in approximately 20% of primary prostate cancers, and in as many as 50% of androgen deprivation-resistant prostate cancers, relies on another gene, ARID4B, to function.

24 Sep 2019

Faster, cheaper, better: improved gene therapy tool production

The heart of modern therapy is increasingly personalized and targeted at specific cellular or genetic deficits. This requires gene therapy, in many cases. A new study, published on 19 September 2019 in the journal Nature, describes an improved way to produce purified gene carrier viruses called AAVs cheaply and quickly, from the culture medium.

22 Sep 2019

Genetic mutation appears to help people fight off MRSA

Researchers have discovered that people who carry a certain genetic mutation may have a greater chance of fighting off MRSA infections.

18 Sep 2019

5 million gift will help create Edward P. Evans Center for MDS at Dana-Farber

A $5 million gift from the Edward P. Evans Foundation will create the Edward P. Evans Center for Myelodysplastic Syndromes at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

17 Sep 2019

Inherited genetic tendency appears to protect people from MRSA infections

An inherited genetic tendency appears to increase the likelihood that a person can successfully fight off antibiotic-resistant staph infections, according to a study led by Duke Health researchers.

17 Sep 2019

Cure for Rett Syndrome a step closer as scientists successfully reactivate 'back-up’ genes

A team headed by Vincent Pasque at his Lab at KU Leuven alongside researchers from the Jean-Christophe Marine lab and the Edith Heard lab have made a significant step towards developing a treatment for Rett syndrome and other X chromosome linked disorders.

17 Sep 2019

Biologists observe how microtubules branch in new directions in animal cells

Cell biologist Thomas Maresca and senior research fellow Vikash Verma at the University of Massachusetts Amherst say they have, for the first time, directly observed and recorded in animal cells a pathway called branching microtubule nucleation, a mechanism in cell division that had been imaged in cellular extracts and plant cells but not directly observed in animal cells.

16 Sep 2019

Gene coding error likely responsible for rare form of inherited 'short telomere' disease

By combing through the entire genetic sequences of a person with a lung scarring disease and 13 of the person’s relatives, Johns Hopkins Medicine researchers say they have found a coding error in a single gene that is likely responsible for a rare form of the disease and the abnormally short protective DNA caps on chromosomes long associated with it.

From Johns Hopkins Medicine 11 Sep 2019

Salk researchers develop method to reveal epigenetic features of brain cells

The brain's prefrontal cortex, which gives us our ability to solve problems and plan ahead, contains billions of cells. But understanding the large diversity of cell types in this critical region, each with unique genetic and molecular properties, has been challenging.

10 Sep 2019

Researchers investigate how to prevent the onset of schizophrenia using mouse model

Although predisposing processes occur earlier, schizophrenia breaks out at young adulthood, suggesting it might involve a pathological transition during late brain development in predisposed individuals.

9 Sep 2019

Researchers find synergistic connection between two deadly blood-clotting diseases

Two rare but potentially deadly blood-clotting diseases, namely thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, or TTP, and hemolytic uremic syndrome, or HUS, show similar pathologies -- a multitude of painful blockages in small blood vessels that cause varying degrees of organ injury throughout the body. However, the two disorders have distinct biological mechanisms.

8 Sep 2019

How tuberculosis progresses: genetic factors play a major role

There are almost 1.8 billion people with tuberculosis bacilli in their body, but only about 5% to 15% develop overt infection, usually within 18 months of initial exposure. The reason behind this selective progression has been sought for decades by scientists from a variety of fields.

5 Sep 2019

Chromosome 4 News and Research

Further Reading

Researchers identify genetic variants related to starting point of Parkinson's disease

Scientists use ultrasound to detect active genes in live cells

PWSA (USA) announces support for H.R.4144 - Ending the Diagnostic Odyssey Act of 2019

Multiple sclerosis genomic map implicates immune cells in disease susceptibility

Prostate cancer risk linked to assisted reproduction techniques

Study: Whole genome sequencing can improve surveillance, control of gastroenteritis

Improved mapping of genomes from 1,000 Swedish individuals

Study uncovers new DNA sequences in Swedish genomes

Discovery provides potential therapeutic target for prostate cancers with PTEN mutation

Faster, cheaper, better: improved gene therapy tool production

Genetic mutation appears to help people fight off MRSA

5 million gift will help create Edward P. Evans Center for MDS at Dana-Farber

Inherited genetic tendency appears to protect people from MRSA infections

Cure for Rett Syndrome a step closer as scientists successfully reactivate 'back-up’ genes

Biologists observe how microtubules branch in new directions in animal cells

Gene coding error likely responsible for rare form of inherited 'short telomere' disease

Salk researchers develop method to reveal epigenetic features of brain cells

Researchers investigate how to prevent the onset of schizophrenia using mouse model

Researchers find synergistic connection between two deadly blood-clotting diseases

How tuberculosis progresses: genetic factors play a major role

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