How nitrate regulates gene expression in legumes
Plants in the bean family (legumes) form nodules on their roots to take up nitrogen. Legumes will stop nodule production when nitrogen is plentiful (Figure 1), but precisely how nitrate presence controls nodule formation in these plants has been a my.....»»
Crispr-Enhanced Viruses Are Being Deployed Against UTIs
With antibiotics losing their effectiveness, one company is turning to gene editing and bacteriophages—viruses that infect bacteria—to combat infections......»»
How context-specific factors control gene activity
Every cell in our body contains the same DNA, yet liver cells are different from brain cells, and skin cells differ from muscle cells. What determines these differences? It all comes down to gene regulation; essentially how and when genes are turned.....»»
Crystallized alternative DNA structure sheds light on insulin and diabetes
The first crystal structure of an alternative DNA shape from the insulin gene has been revealed by a UCL-led research team......»»
Plant scientists link phospholipid sensing with control of gene expression
Plant scientists have long known that phosphorus is a crucial component in plant growth. A major discovery by a Kansas State University (K-State) biologist and her lab is leading to a better understanding of how plants detect and use that resource—.....»»
New mRNA and gene editing tools offer hope for dengue virus treatment
Dengue virus, a painful and sometimes fatal mosquito-borne infection well known in tropical countries, is surging rapidly across the planet. Now, 4 billion people live in places at risk for the disease, like the southeastern United States, which does.....»»
Angiosperms study provides insights into genome evolution after whole-genome duplications
Whole-genome duplication (WGD, or polyploidy) is a common and frequent occurrence in plants, providing raw genetic material for evolution. Homoeologs (duplicate genes from a WGD) often diverge in expression levels, while some still maintain similar (.....»»
Regulatory gene influences shape recognition in medaka fish, scientists discover
Medaka fish that lack functional Hmgn2 genes are unable to distinguish between simple shapes, revealing a new function for the regulatory gene......»»
Scientists develop new TRV vector-based method for peach gene analysis
Peach, a valuable crop within the Rosaceae family, has historically faced challenges in genetic research due to the lack of robust transformation techniques. Current methods are often limited by tissue type and developmental constraints, hindering fu.....»»
Cells use alternative splicing to regulate gene expression, research suggests
Alternative splicing is a genetic process where different segments of genes are removed, and the remaining pieces are joined together during transcription to messenger RNA (mRNA). This mechanism increases the diversity of proteins that can be generat.....»»
Public perceptions on the use of gene tech for environmental problems
Addressing public concerns about the suitability and safety of new innovations is crucial to the responsible use of genetic technologies for environmental problems, according to a new report on New Zealanders' perceptions commissioned by BioHeritage.....»»
Ancient gene gives spiders their narrow waist, research reveals
An ancient gene is crucial for the development of the distinctive waist that divides the spider body plan in two, according to a study published August 29 in the open-access journal PLOS Biology by Emily Setton from the University of Wisconsin-Madiso.....»»
Study: Plasmonic copper nanowires boost nitrate reduction efficiency
The electrocatalytic nitrate reduction reaction (NO3RR) has attracted the attention of researchers for its significant value in ammonia synthesis and effluent treatment. Plasmon-assisted electrocatalysis provides a powerful strategy for efficient con.....»»
Study shows an electrically-activated protein regulates spermatogenesis
Frankenstein's monster was brought to life by the judicious application of a little electricity; and a surprising number of processes in our bodies are regulated by electrical currents too. Now, researchers from Japan reveal that electricity may play.....»»
"Silent" mutations found to have repercussions beyond their own gene
Genetic disorders—like cystic fibrosis and Huntington's disease—are considered incurable, with gene mutations occurring in essentially every cell of the body. Gene mutations occur when one nucleotide in a codon is switched. In non-synonymous muta.....»»
Moths may use disco gene to regulate day/night cycles
How does one species become two? If you're a biologist, that's a loaded question. The consensus is that, in most cases, the process of speciation occurs when individuals from a single population become geographically isolated. If they remain separate.....»»
Elon Musk foreclosing on former home of actor Gene Wilder
Tesla's CEO sold the home, which is down the street from where Lee Iacocca used to live, in 2020 when he was getting rid of some possessions......»»
New genetic sensor for DNA methylation discovered
DNA methylation is a process in which a methyl group is attached to the cytosine base of the DNA molecule, and is a major way that DNA is epigenetically marked. Epigenetic modifications can act as on–off switches to regulate gene expression and hel.....»»
Lipid nanoparticle mRNA therapy improves survival in mouse models of maple syrup urine disease
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania, Perelman School of Medicine, Gene Therapy Program, and Moderna, have shown that repeated administration of lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated mRNA therapy significantly extended survival and reduced serum.....»»
Unraveling modern bread wheat from the genes up
A genomic resource for the wild grass species Tausch's goatgrass (Aegilops tauschii) has been developed by a team of international researchers led by KAUST. This new understanding will accelerate gene discovery research and shed new light on the stor.....»»
Chromatin structure found to play a key role in canine social behavior evolution
A study on dogs found that chromatin's spatial structure has a significant role in the evolution of social behavior. Chromatin, the compact form of DNA, not only packages genetic material but also plays a crucial role in gene regulation......»»