Genetics News and Research

Latest Genetics News and Research

CRISPR gene editing study provides insights into how autism gene affects brain development

Researchers have used CRISPR gene editing, stem cells and human neurons to study the impact of a gene that is commonly mutated in autism.

5 Oct 2023

Cancer tumors hijack genetic program of developing nerves, study shows

Cancer tumors "hijack" the genetic program used by developing nerves. This is shown in a study by researchers at Umeå University, Sweden.

4 Oct 2023

How vitamin D and genetics shape early brain development

The study examined how vitamin D levels and vitamin D binding protein genotypes in both pregnant mothers and their children aged 3-5, impact early childhood neurodevelopment. Findings suggest that higher vitamin D concentrations in children were associated with better neurodevelopmental scores, with additional influences from sociodemographic factors and certain genetic variations.

4 Oct 2023

Genetics may influence a person’s ability to adhere to a vegetarian diet

From Impossible Burger to "Meatless Mondays," going meat-free is certainly in vogue. But a person's genetic makeup plays a role in determining whether they can stick to a strict vegetarian diet, a new Northwestern Medicine study has found.

4 Oct 2023

Wood cookstove use linked to gastric cancer risk

Researchers conducted a population-based study with a case–control design in rural areas of Honduras in Central America to examine whether wood cookstove use by indigenous populations was associated with increased risk of stomach cancers, including gastric adenocarcinoma.

4 Oct 2023

Breakthrough technique could one day provide tailored repairs for people with brain injuries

A breakthrough technique developed by University of Oxford researchers could one day provide tailored repairs for those who suffer brain injuries.

4 Oct 2023

Could infants' robust immune responses reshape future vaccination strategies?

Utilizing next-gen sequencing techniques, researchers analyzed infants' immune responses to infections, uncovering a predominant innate immune activation unlike adults and older children. This insight could steer child vaccination research and pediatric infection management strategies, potentially revolutionizing infant healthcare.

3 Oct 2023

AI tool PARMESAN predicts drug-gene interactions for genetic disorders

To discover new treatments for genetic disorders, scientists need a thorough knowledge of prior literature to determine the best gene/protein targets and the most promising drugs to test.

3 Oct 2023

NIH grant to fund development of new gene therapy platform for brain diseases

A two-phase NIH grant will fund research into a new CRISPR-based gene therapy platform that will target genetic brain diseases like Angelman syndrome and H1-4 (HIST1H1E) syndrome.

3 Oct 2023

Genetic testing of one thousand embryos provides insights into human development and IVF

By genetically testing nearly one thousand embryos, scientists have provided the most detailed analysis of embryo fate following human in vitro fertilization.

3 Oct 2023

Microglial states and their impact on Alzheimer's disease

Researchers examined 152,459 microglial transcriptomes from 443 individuals, identifying 12 transcriptional states and their relationship to Alzheimer's disease.

3 Oct 2023

A better method to predict polygenic inheritance across multiple ancestries

Researchers report the results obtained from the use of a new PRS calculator called CT-SLEB on a multi-national GWAS database.

2 Oct 2023

Ginger shows promise as a natural defense against autoimmune diseases

Comprehensive study reveals that whole ginger extracts have a significant impact on inhibiting neutrophil hyperactivity, a key factor in autoimmune diseases like APS and lupus. Consuming ginger for just a week showed promising results in both animal models and human trials, positioning it as a natural and affordable treatment option for a range of autoimmune disorders.

2 Oct 2023

Study shows consanguinity may raise risk of type 2 diabetes and other common diseases

A new study finds that consanguinity – unions between close relatives – may increase the risk of common diseases such as type 2 diabetes and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

30 Sep 2023

Study shows how tumors "hijack" genetic program used by developing nerves

Cancer tumors "hijack" the genetic program used by developing nerves. This is shown in a study by researchers at Umeå University, Sweden.

29 Sep 2023

Parkinson's disease-related neuronal death more likely to occur at night

Disturbances in sleep patterns and the internal biological clock are frequently associated with Parkinson's disease.

29 Sep 2023

Unlocking the code: BigRNA's deep learning model predicts RNA behavior

Researchers have developed BigRNA, a groundbreaking deep learning model capable of predicting RNA behavior, including tissue-specific expression and splicing, directly from genomic DNA sequences. The model excels in identifying pathogenic variants and could be a game-changer in the development of personalized RNA-based therapies for treating genetic diseases.

28 Sep 2023

New multi-polygenic scores boost coronary heart disease prediction accuracy

Two multi-polygenic scores (muti-PGs) to predict coronary heart disease (CHD).

28 Sep 2023

Ramadan fasting reshapes gut microbiome

Scientists investigate the effects of Ramadan intermittent fasting on gut microbiota, revealing significant alterations at both the phylum and genus levels. The study suggests that dietary intake during fasting could play a key role in these microbiota changes.

27 Sep 2023

HMS researcher to lead $104 million effort to study bacteria and antibiotic resistance

Harvard Medical School researcher Johan Paulsson will lead a multi-institutional $104 million effort to study bacteria and antibiotic resistance, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced today.

27 Sep 2023