Genome of Steller"s sea cow decoded
During the Ice Age, giant mammals such as mammoths, saber-toothed cats and wooly rhinoceroses once roamed Northern Europe and America. The cold oceans of the northern hemisphere were also home to giants like Steller's sea cow, which grew up to eight.....»»
From octopus to elephant: A molecular zoo of epigenetics
Our genes are encoded in the DNA sequence of the genome, which is highly similar across the diverse cell types of our body. Yet, each cell can only access those genes that are in an epigenetically permissive state. The epigenome thus provides a form.....»»
Modified CRISPR-based enzymes improve the prospect of inserting entire genes into the genome
Many genetic diseases are caused by diverse mutations spread across an entire gene, and designing genome editing approaches for each patient's mutation would be impractical and costly......»»
Evolution of uniquely human DNA was a balancing act, study concludes
Humans and chimpanzees differ in only one percent of their DNA. Human accelerated regions (HARs) are parts of the genome with an unexpected amount of these differences. HARs were stable in mammals for millennia but quickly changed in early humans. Sc.....»»
Why chocolate feels so good: It is all down to lubrication
Scientists have decoded the physical process that takes place in the mouth when a piece of chocolate is eaten, as it changes from a solid into a smooth emulsion that many people find totally irresistible......»»
Researchers reveal how geminiviruses cause devastating disease in worldwide crops
Geminiviruses are a group of single-stranded circular plant DNA viruses that cause devastating diseases in many economically important crops including tomato, tobacco, cotton, corn, wheat, beans, and cassava worldwide. Due to their small genome size.....»»
Breakthroughs made as scientists sequence the genomes of endangered sharks
The first chromosome level genome sequences for great hammerhead and shortfin mako sharks have shown that both species have experienced major population declines over a 250,000-year history. Low genetic diversity and signs of inbreeding are concernin.....»»
Breakthrough in plant breeding: Grafting and mobile CRISPR for genome editing in plants
A ground-breaking twist to the CRISPR tool—aka "genetic scissors"—is being put to use to edit plant genomes by scientists from the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Plant Physiology, signaling a methodology change. The discovery, recently publish.....»»
New method precisely locates gene activity and proteins across tissues
A new method can illuminate the identities and activities of cells throughout an organ or a tumor at unprecedented resolution, according to a study co-led by researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine, NewYork-Presbyterian and the New York Genome Center......»»
Functional analyses of RNA-related enzymes using a next-generation DNA sequencer
Genetic information encoded in genomic DNA is transcribed to mRNAs and then the codons on mRNA are decoded by transfer RNAs (tRNAs) during protein synthesis. tRNAs deliver amino acids to ribosomes and proteins are synthesized from the amino acids on.....»»
A More Elegant Form of Gene Editing Progresses to Human Testing
Instead of cutting out chunks of the genome to disable malfunctioning genes, base editing makes a smaller, more precise swap......»»
Lost puzzle piece involved in gene regulation revealed in search that began in water-loving, one-celled organism
After an intrepid, decade-long search, Johns Hopkins Medicine scientists say they have found a new role for a pair of enzymes that regulate genome function and, when missing or mutated, are linked to diseases such as brain tumors, blood cancers and K.....»»
CX Decoded Podcast: Inside the CMSWire State of Digital Customer Experience Report
CMSWire catches up with Sarah Kimmel, VP of research at Simpler Media Group, on the CMSWire State of Digital Customer Experience Report. Continue reading........»»
Documentary spurs a new look at the case of the first gene-edited babies
In the four years since an experiment by disgraced scientist He Jiankui resulted in the birth of the first babies with edited genes, numerous articles, books and international commissions have reflected on whether and how heritable genome editing—t.....»»
Decoding the secret language of photosynthesis
For decades, scientists have been stumped by the signals plants send themselves to initiate photosynthesis, the process of turning sunlight into sugars. UC Riverside researchers have now decoded those previously opaque signals......»»
3D structure of mammalian genome reveals record-breaking diversity
The genome (the code of life) is organized in the form of folded chromosomes within the nucleus of cells. This three-dimensional organization of the genome is fundamental, as it determines which genes are switched on and off in each cell type. Compar.....»»
Researchers publish mitochondrial genome of long-spined sea urchin, guardian of Caribbean coral reefs
A team of Oakland University researchers has published the first complete mitochondrial genome of Diadema antillarum, commonly known as the long-spined sea urchin. The invertebrate marine herbivore inhabits the shallow waters of the Western Atlantic.....»»
Stresses and hydrodynamics: Scientists uncover new organizing principles of the genome
A team of scientists has uncovered the physical principles—a series of forces and hydrodynamic flows—that help ensure the proper functioning of life's blueprint. Its discovery provides new insights into the genome while potentially offering a new.....»»
New DNA analysis provides first accurate tuberculosis genome
Researchers have developed a novel genome assembly tool that could spur the development of new treatments for tuberculosis and other bacterial infections......»»
Scandinavian wolves found to carry many harmful mutations
In a new scientific study, researchers at Uppsala University have shown that Scandinavian wolves carry around 100,000 harmful mutations in their genome. As long as the harmful mutations can be compensated by a healthy genetic variant, this does not n.....»»
3D models reveal, at the atomic scale, how FoxH1 binds to specific points in the genome
Transcription factors are proteins that interact with DNA to regulate the function of some genes. Generally, a single transcription factor binds to several regions in the genome as it orchestrates complex cellular responses, which require the activat.....»»