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.

Scientists develop new system to identify and characterize regulatory DNA sequences

Scientists from the Children's Medical Center Research Institute at UT Southwestern have developed an innovative system to identify and characterize the molecular components that control the activities of regulatory DNA sequences in the human genome.

24 Aug 2017

New research suggests cell immortalization as more complicated process than originally thought

A mutation that helps make cells immortal is critical to the development of a tumor, but new research at the University of California, Berkeley suggests that becoming immortal is a more complicated process than originally thought.

18 Aug 2017

Researchers develop and validate new assay that detects gene fusions in solid tumors

An assay that identifies a peculiar but important abnormality in cancer cells has been developed and validated by researchers at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center - Arthur G. James Cancer Hospital and Richard J. Solove Research Institute.

14 Aug 2017

Counteracting premature aging

Aging is the continuing process of such stress exposures, and with advancing age (normal aging), we must carry lots of senescent cells within our bodies. Senescent cells also often provide some ‘bad influences’ to surrounding healthy cells; such as chronic inflammation and tumorigenesis

14 Aug 2017

Duke researchers map evolution of sex chromosomes in fungus linked to human disease

Biologically speaking, nearly every species on Earth has two opposite sexes, male and female. But with some fungi and other microbes, sex can be a lot more complicated.

11 Aug 2017

Researchers unravel genetic characteristics that increase risk of developing Tourette syndrome

An international research team including Vasiliy Ramensky, a member of the MIPT Life Sciences Center, has unraveled genetic characteristics that increase the risk of developing Tourette syndrome.

10 Aug 2017

Study supports genetic testing as first-line diagnostic method for young children with epilepsy

A study published in JAMA Pediatrics supports the use of genetic testing, especially with sequencing, as first-line diagnostic method for young children with seizures.

1 Aug 2017

Large clinical study reveals the performance of Natera's Panorama® non-invasive prenatal test

Natera, Inc. a leader in non-invasive genetic testing and the analysis of circulating cell-free DNA, today announced the publication of a large clinical experience study evaluating the performance of the company's Panorama® non-invasive prenatal test (NIPT).

From Natera 31 Jul 2017

Gene's position on chromosome influences mutations, study shows

Genes do not exist in isolation. Like beads on a string, they sit next to each other on long DNA molecules called chromosomes.

25 Jul 2017

Princeton scientists test cell-culture system to aid study of HBV infections

Scientists from Princeton University's Department of Molecular Biology have successfully tested a cell-culture system that will allow researchers to perform laboratory-based studies of long-term hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections

25 Jul 2017

Methicillin use not to blame for MRSA, say researchers

The introduction of methicillin into clinical practice is not what caused the emergence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), report researchers. According to a collaborative study by the University of St Andrews, University of Dundee and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, MRSA existed long before clinicians started using the antibiotic.

20 Jul 2017

Genetic basis behind friendliness of dogs and humans uncovered in a new study

In a new study published in the journal Science Advances a connection was found between friendliness of dogs and a particular genetic makeup. Dogs differ from their closest cousins – wolves, in their friendliness towards humans and the gene that makes this possible has now been uncovered. This gene that allows for the hypersocial behaviour in dogs is also common in humans the study finds.

19 Jul 2017

Scientists reveal key role of TLK2 gene in placenta development, embryo viability in mice

The placenta, a transient organ that links the developing embryo to its mother, is responsible for nutrient, waste and gas exchange between the fetus and the mother.

17 Jul 2017

Researchers detect new gene mutation linked to Fanconi anemia

Fanconi anemia is a rare genetic disease characterized by bone marrow failure heralded by low platelet counts and unusually large red blood cells.

14 Jul 2017

Experts develop first freely available data network for Huntington's disease research

Huntington's disease is a hereditary disorder of the nervous system caused by a faulty gene on chromosome four.

13 Jul 2017

New technique to study genetic changes could enhance cancer diagnosis

Large-scale changes to the structure of the genome are often seen in cancer cells. Scientists at the Babraham Institute in Cambridge, UK, have found a way to detect these changes, which could enhance cancer diagnosis and aid the use of targeted treatments.

4 Jul 2017

Study indicates new element involved in genome instability

Genome instability is the main risk factor in the development of tumours in humans. Understanding how, where, when and why these mutations are produced in DNA is one of the great objectives of the global scientific community.

30 Jun 2017

Existing drugs could help subgroup of patients with osteosarcoma, suggest scientists

A subgroup of patients with osteosarcoma - a form of bone cancer - could be helped by an existing drug, suggest scientists from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and their collaborators at University College London Cancer Institute and the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust.

23 Jun 2017

MIT biologists identify how the immune system eliminates genetically imbalanced cells

Most living cells have a defined number of chromosomes: Human cells, for example, have 23 pairs. As cells divide, they can make errors that lead to a gain or loss of chromosomes, which is usually very harmful.

20 Jun 2017

Penn/CHOP research helps to better understand cause of pediatric and treatment-related leukemias

Certain pediatric leukemias share a common underlying cause with treatment-related secondary leukemias.

16 Jun 2017