Re-expressing a protein critical for the detection and perception of odors restores the function of the olfactory system in a genetic mouse model of lost hair-like cellular structures known as cilia, according to research published in JNeurosci. This may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for a group of human diseases that can cause loss of smell. Credit: Green...
Category: <span>Genetics</span>
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How diet modifies the correlation between genetics and obesity
A correlation between obesity and genetics has been found to be modified by diet, according to a scientific paper in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. A research group led by a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist found that a specific gene—APOA2—can result in a higher body mass index (BMI). The APOA2 gene encodes...
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MARRVEL: Integration of Human and Model Organism Genetic Resources to Facilitate Functional Annotation of the Human Genome
One major challenge encountered with interpreting human genetic variants is the limited understanding of the functional impact of genetic alterations on biological processes. Furthermore, there remains an unmet demand for an efficient survey of the wealth of information on human homologs in model organisms across numerous databases. To efficiently assess the large volume of publically...
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A simple guide to CRISPR, one of the biggest science stories of the decade
It could revolutionize everything from medicine to agriculture. Better read up now. One of the biggest and most important science stories of the past few years will probably also be one of the biggest science stories of the next few years. So this is as good a time as any to get acquainted with the powerful new...
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New platform poised to be next generation of genetic medicines
July 16, 2018, City of Hope A City of Hope scientist has discovered a gene-editing technology that could efficiently and accurately correct the genetic defects that underlie certain diseases, positioning the new tool as the basis for the next generation of genetic therapies. City of Hope’s Saswati Chatterjee (left), Ph.D., discovered a gene-editing technology that...
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Killer Immunotherapy—fighting cancer with genetic engineering
July 17, 2018 by Teresa Belcher, Particle Finding a cure for cancer is no easy feat, but Dr. Misty Jenkins has built her career in immunotherapy to do just that. Since 2016, Misty has led a lab at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research. From a young age, Misty was fascinated with how the...
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Biochemists discover cause of genome editing failures with hyped CRISPR system
New study sheds light on biology of most-used Cas9 target UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT CHICAGO Researchers from the University of Illinois at Chicago are the first to describe why CRISPR gene editing sometimes fails to work, and how the process can be made to be much more efficient. IMAGE: UIC RESEARCHERS SHOW PERSISTENT CAS9 BINDING TO A DOUBLE STRAND...
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Researchers cure type 2 diabetes and obesity in mice using gene therapy
July 10, 2018, Autonomous University of Barcelona A research team from the UAB led by Professor Fatima Bosch has managed to cure obesity and type 2 diabetes in mice using gene therapy. The research team at CBATEG (UAB). Credit: UAB A single administration of an adeno-associated viral vector (AAV) carrying the FGF21 (Fibroblast Growth Factor 21) gene, resulted in genetic...
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Mayo Clinic Researchers Use Targeted Sequencing to Diagnose Short Telomere Syndrome
NEW YORK (GenomeWeb) – A team from the Mayo Clinic has examined the genetic and phenotypic features that occurs in individuals diagnosed with short telomere syndrome (STS), a condition resulting in symptoms that range from accelerated aging or bone marrow failure to immune and multiple organ problems. “With the help of this patient series, we...
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Through the use of self-stopping enzymes, DNA synthesis has become faster, cheaper and better
Scientists at the Department of Energy’s Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) based at the University of California, Berkeley (CA, USA) have developed a new way to synthesize DNA through the creative use of enzymes. The discovery, published in Nature Biotechnology, has the potential to revolutionize the fields of DNA synthesis and biological engineering. Until now, the...