Genetics and Genomics News and Research

Latest Genetics and Genomics News and Research

Ancient Neurohormone Found to Control Appetite in Both Humans and Starfish

A team of biologists at Queen Mary University of London has discovered that a neurohormone controlling appetite in humans has an ancient evolutionary origin, dating back over half a billion years.

25 Mar 2025

EMBL Scientists Observe DNA Looping Process in High Resolution

Among the many marvels of life is the cell's ability to divide and thus enable organisms to grow and renew themselves.

25 Mar 2025

Researchers Capture Breakthrough Images of Cellulose Synthesis in Living Plant Cells

In a groundbreaking study on the synthesis of cellulose – a major constituent of all plant cell walls – a team of Rutgers University-New Brunswick researchers has captured images of the microscopic process of cell-wall building continuously over 24 hours with living plant cells, providing critical insights that may lead to the development of more robust plants for increased food and lower-cost biofuels production.

24 Mar 2025

Scientists Identify Crucial Mechanism for Maintaining Neuronal Identity in the Brain

A team of researchers from the Institute for Neurosciences, a joint center of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the Miguel Hernández University (UMH) of Elche, in collaboration with researchers from Columbia University (New York, USA), has identified a mechanism that regulates the production of two different proteins from the same gene.

24 Mar 2025

How Drug-Resistant Bacteria Use Antimicrobial Tools to Outcompete Others

A drug-resistant type of bacteria that has adapted to health care settings evolved in the past several years to weaponize an antimicrobial genetic tool, eliminating its cousins and replacing them as the dominate strain.

24 Mar 2025

Immune System Peacekeepers Key to Preventing Autoimmunity During Infection

During infections, the immune system needs to distinguish foreign antigens that are expressed by invading bacteria and viruses from self-antigens that are expressed by cells of the body.

24 Mar 2025

Unveiling Bacterial Immune Mechanisms Against Temperate Phages

Like humans, bacteria can be attacked by viruses. In the case of bacteria, these viral attackers are referred to as bacteriophages, a term derived from the Greek word for bacteria-eaters, or simply “phages.”

24 Mar 2025

Dendritic Spine Clusters Physically Link Memories Formed Close in Time

According to a recent study, the reason why memories from the same day seem connected while events from weeks apart feel separate is as follows: Human brains use dendrites, which are spiny extensions of neurons, rather than the cell bodies to physically connect memories that happen in close succession.

24 Mar 2025

Unraveling the Evolutionary Link to Eukaryotic Cells

A decade ago, the existence of Asgard archaea was unknown. However, in 2015, researchers analyzing deep-sea sediments uncovered gene fragments that suggested the presence of a new, previously unidentified group of microbes.

24 Mar 2025

UV Light Reshapes 3D Genome Structure, Altering DNA Repair and Gene Activity

Research shows UV radiation modifies 3D genome structure, affecting DNA damage response and gene activity, offering insights for cancer prevention strategies.

24 Mar 2025

‘Genetic Time Machine’ Uncovers the History of Sophisticated Chimpanzee Cultures

Associate Professor Federico Battiston and PhD Student Onkar Sadekar, both researchers from the Department of Network and Data Science at Central European University (CEU), contributed to research on chimpanzee culture with their network analysis insights.

24 Mar 2025

Engineered Yeast Offers Sustainable Way to Produce D-Lactic Acid from Methanol

Great recipes require the perfect combination of ingredients - biotechnology recipes are no exception.

22 Mar 2025

Scientists Unlock the Mechanism Behind piRNA's Defense Against Jumping Genes

Adverse genetic mutations can cause harm and are due to various circumstances. "Jumping genes" are one cause of mutations, but cells try and combat them with a specialized RNA called piRNA.

22 Mar 2025

First-Ever Molecular Movie Shows DNA Unzipping Mechanism in Action

Scientists at the University of Leicester have captured the first detailed "molecular movie" showing DNA being unzipped at the atomic level – revealing how cells begin the crucial process of copying their genetic material.

22 Mar 2025

Programmable Embryoids Provide Insight into Early Development

The earliest days after fertilization, once a sperm cell meets an egg, are shrouded in scientific mystery.

22 Mar 2025

AGD Initiative Drives Progress in Drug Discovery with Sequencing of 250,000 Whole Genomes

Nashville Biosciences LLC (NashBio), a leading clinical and genomic data company and wholly owned subsidiary of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and global DNA sequencing giant Illumina Inc. today announced that 250,000 whole genomes have been sequenced for the Alliance for Genomic Discovery (AGD) initiative.

22 Mar 2025