Gene Transfer News and Research

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Gene Transfer is the insertion of genetic material into a cell.

Soil Bacteria Gene Discovery Offers Hope for Bioremediation Efforts

Some soil bacteria can acquire sets of genes that enable them to pump the heavy metal nickel out of their systems, a study has found.

19 Mar 2024

Widespread Gene Flow Marks Unique Evolutionary History in Giraffes

Evolutionary biologists and non-experts alike have always held a special place in their minds for giraffes, with their bizarre body plans.

13 Mar 2024

Significant Increase in Antibiotic Resistance Genes Found in Humans and Livestock

Biomedical engineers at Duke University have discovered a significant connection between the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes and the development of resistance to new drugs in specific pathogens

23 Feb 2024

Revealing Electric Eels' Role in Environmental DNA Transfer

The electric eel holds the title of Earth’s most powerful electricity-producing creature, boasting the ability to unleash up to 860 volts—enough to power machinery.

6 Dec 2023

Genetics can Improve the Diagnostic Value of Cyanobacterial Biomarkers

Cyanobacteria are a key species in Earth's history, as they introduced atmospheric oxygen for the first time. The analysis of their evolution therefore provides important insights into the formation of modern aerobic ecosystems.

30 Oct 2023

Novel Gene Therapy Approach Delivers Large Genes

A breakthrough by University of Zurich (UZH) researchers introduces a versatile technique for efficiently and safely delivering substantial genes, holding significant promise for therapeutic applications.

25 Oct 2023

Grass Gene Transfer Could Inform Future Crop Development

Grass may transfer genes from their neighbors in the same way genetically modified crops are made, a new study has revealed.

6 Oct 2023

Plastics in Soil Might Make Bacteria More Resistant to Antibiotics

Modern farming, like any other industry, is heavily reliant on plastics. To name a few examples, consider plastic mulch lining vegetable beds, PVC pipes draining water from fields, polyethylene covering high tunnels, and plastic seed, fertilizer, and herbicide packaging.

24 Aug 2023

New Mechanism of Cannibalism Discovered in Bacillus velezensis SQR9

When considering a bacterial population as a multicellular community, it is imperative to understand the inherent roles of maintaining homeostasis and viability in response to environmental factors.

3 Aug 2023

Ancient Virus-Like Transposons Found to Mediate Horizontal Gene Transfer in Worms

Scientists have known for decades that genes can be transferred from one species to another, both in animals and plants.

30 Jun 2023

The First Programmable RNA-Guided System in Eukaryotes Uncovered

Feng Zhang of the Broad Institute at MIT and Harvard and the McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MIT headed a team of researchers who discovered the first programmable RNA-guided mechanism in eukaryotes, which include fungi, plants, and animals.

29 Jun 2023

Discovery of Shanghai APP Mutation Offers New Avenues for Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting tens of millions of people worldwide, and it is the most common cause of dementia.

15 May 2023

Evolutionary Encounter of Two Protein Components Could Occur Entirely by Chance

Proteins are the key players for virtually all molecular processes within the cell. To fulfil their diverse functions, they have to interact with other proteins.

7 Apr 2023

Researchers Chart the First "Map of the Microverse"

What defines the habitat – the ecological niche – of a microorganism? It is a combination of environmental factors such as temperature, moisture, and nutrient content. But the exact contribution of each of these factors is difficult to predict.

6 Apr 2023

Designing a Lipid Nanoparticle to Safely Deliver mRNA to the Pancreas

Therapeutics that use mRNA-;like some of the COVID-19 vaccines-;have enormous potential for the prevention and treatment of many diseases.

4 Apr 2023

Resistance genes in human gut influenced by national trends in antibiotic consumption

According to a new study performed at the Earlham Institute and Quadram Institute in Norwich, the community of microbes living in and on human bodies might be serving as a reservoir for antibiotic resistance.

28 Mar 2023

Generalizable strategy to program gene stability of microbial communities

Biomedical engineers at Duke University have revealed a microbial community phenomenon that is analogous to teaching neighbors how to perform critical jobs by ripping out and sharing parts of the brain.

8 Sep 2022

Insects retain multiple genes from microbes that help them to survive, a new study reveals

Microbes and plants may have given insects an evolutionary benefit, hundreds of millions of years ago, by transferring genes to them via horizontal gene transfer.

20 Jul 2022

Review: Emergence and detection of antibiotic resistance in bioaerosols

While there are many studies that discuss antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) in soil and water environments, there is currently very little research that focuses on ARG in aerial environments. In a recent review, researchers from South Korea have analyzed current research trends regarding ARG in bioaerosols, including their sources, methods of detection, and implications for the future.

1 Jul 2022

Experts identify genes responsible for toxin biosynthesis in unrelated poisonous mushrooms

Poisonous mushrooms are a great threat to human health, but they also create crucial drugs and biomolecules. Amanita mushrooms are without a doubt the most lethal of all of them.

7 Jun 2022