Chromosome 4 News and Research

RSS

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.

Fathers maybe passing on ovarian cancer genes to their daughters

According to a team of researchers from the Roswell Park Cancer Institute, a new gene mutation could be responsible for ovarian cancers and this could be passed on from fathers to their daughters.

16 Feb 2018

Hints to aging lurk in fruit flies’ germline stem cells

Little hints of immortality are lurking in the stem cells of fruit flies. Stem cells that produce sperm use a genetic trick to stay perpetually young across generations, researchers at the University of Michigan Life Sciences Institute have discovered. Certain sections of the fruit fly genome get shorter with age. But remarkably, some reproductive cells can repair the shrinkage, the researchers report in the journal eLife.

13 Feb 2018

Next-generation ‘active genetics’ tool opens new horizons

In 2015, University of California San Diego biologists Ethan Bier and Valentino Gantz developed a breakthrough technology known as "active genetics," which results in parents transmitting a genetic trait to most of their offspring (instead of 50 percent receiving the trait under standard inheritance).

6 Feb 2018

Mitochondrial DNA may play more important role in metastatic cancer than previously thought

DNA found in the mitochondria may play a more significant role in metastatic cancer than originally thought.

6 Feb 2018

Study shows connection between genetic variants for ADHD and educational attainment

A study published in the February 2018 issue of the Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry reports that five novel genetic variants associated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been identified by exploiting genetic overlap between ADHD and educational attainment.

5 Feb 2018

Researchers move closer to solving puzzle of 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome

Researchers are closer to solving the puzzle of a complex neurological condition called 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome. Individuals with this condition are missing a small piece of chromosome 15 that usually contains six genes, but which one of the genes is responsible for the clinical characteristics of patients has not been clear.

2 Feb 2018

Free magnesium ions regulate chromosome shape, new tool shows

Japanese researchers report a new ion detector, MARIO. Using it, they show that changes in the intracellular concentration of free magnesium ions (Mg2+) is critical for the chromosome folding that must occur for cells to divide.

1 Feb 2018

Researchers use gene therapy that lengthens telomeres to cure pulmonary fibrosis in mice

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a potentially lethal disease associated with the presence of critically short telomeres, currently lacking effective treatment.

30 Jan 2018

Discovery may offer new therapeutic approach for kids with Prader-Willi syndrome

Stem cell researchers at UConn Health have reversed Prader-Willi syndrome in brain cells growing in the lab, findings they recently published in the Human Molecular Genetics.

27 Jan 2018

Small tweak to mammal's DNA can cause significant physical changes, study finds

The difference between webbed toes and distinct digits may be the result of not just genetic information, but of how the genes regulate that information. Researchers at the National Institute of Genetics, Research Organization of Information and Systems in Japan found that a small, non-specific tweak to a mammal's DNA can potentially cause specific and significant physical changes.

27 Jan 2018

Researchers discover potential target genes to halt thyroid cancer progression

Thyroid cancer is a disease with good cure rates in most cases. In 5% of patients, however, the tumor becomes refractory to the available therapies and may spread all over the body, causing death.

19 Jan 2018

Children born with Down's syndrome have superior genome that compensates for disability

Down's syndrome - also known as trisomy 21 - is a genetic disorder caused by an additional third chromosome 21. Although this genetic abnormality is found in one out of 700 births, only 20% of foetuses with trisomy 21 reach full term.

19 Jan 2018

Modular gene enhancers may be suitable target in treatment of blood cancer

Every day, billions of new blood cells are generated in the bone marrow. The gene Myc is known to play an important role in this process, and is also known to play a role in cancer.

18 Jan 2018

Three-dimensional organization of genome plays key role in gene expression, cell fate

Scientists have long been reading the code of life - the genome -, as a sequence of letters but now researchers have also started exploring its three-dimensional organization.

17 Jan 2018

WPI professor receives Smith Family Foundation grant to explore biology of cancer cells

Amity Manning, assistant professor of biology and biotechnology, has received a three-year, $300,000 award from the Smith Family Awards Program for Excellence in Biomedical Research.

8 Jan 2018

MGH study points toward potential strategy for treating X-linked disorders

A study from a team of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators points toward a potential strategy for treating X-linked disorders - those caused by mutations in the X chromosome - in females.

4 Jan 2018

Study illustrates the role of alcohol in causing damage to DNA and increased cancer risk

A new study conducted by a group of researchers at MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge revealed the significant role of alcohol in causing damage to DNA in stem cells and thereby increasing cancer risks. The study was funded by Cancer Research UK and the results were published in Nature.

4 Jan 2018

Scientists show how alcohol exposure leads to permanent genetic damage

Scientists have shown how alcohol damages DNA in stem cells, helping to explain why drinking increases your risk of cancer, according to research part-funded by Cancer Research UK and published in Nature today (Wednesday).

4 Jan 2018

$Study uncovers genomic targets in refractory neuroblastoma$

Study uncovers genomic targets in refractory neuroblastoma

Neuroblastoma (NB) is the most common solid tumor found in children. It starts in some very early forms of nerve cells found in the embryo or fetus.

28 Dec 2017

Novartis announces FDA approval of its first and only CML therapy with TFR data in product label

Novartis announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the inclusion of Treatment-free Remission (TFR) data in the Tasigna® (nilotinib) US product label.

26 Dec 2017

Chromosome 4 News and Research

Further Reading

Fathers maybe passing on ovarian cancer genes to their daughters

Hints to aging lurk in fruit flies’ germline stem cells

Next-generation ‘active genetics’ tool opens new horizons

Mitochondrial DNA may play more important role in metastatic cancer than previously thought

Study shows connection between genetic variants for ADHD and educational attainment

Researchers move closer to solving puzzle of 15q13.3 microdeletion syndrome

Free magnesium ions regulate chromosome shape, new tool shows

Researchers use gene therapy that lengthens telomeres to cure pulmonary fibrosis in mice

Discovery may offer new therapeutic approach for kids with Prader-Willi syndrome

Small tweak to mammal's DNA can cause significant physical changes, study finds

Researchers discover potential target genes to halt thyroid cancer progression

Children born with Down's syndrome have superior genome that compensates for disability

Modular gene enhancers may be suitable target in treatment of blood cancer

Three-dimensional organization of genome plays key role in gene expression, cell fate

WPI professor receives Smith Family Foundation grant to explore biology of cancer cells

MGH study points toward potential strategy for treating X-linked disorders

Study illustrates the role of alcohol in causing damage to DNA and increased cancer risk

Scientists show how alcohol exposure leads to permanent genetic damage

Study uncovers genomic targets in refractory neuroblastoma

Novartis announces FDA approval of its first and only CML therapy with TFR data in product label

Shaping the Future of Neuroscience: A Conversation with Atlas Antibodies on the MolBoolean™ and the Impact of SfN 2024

How the Arts Reshape Brain Function: Susan Magsamen on the Future of Neuroaesthetics

Inside the Alzheimer's Association: Dr. Heather Snyder on Driving Research and Collaboration

Latest News