128 posts · 79,034 views
Genome Engineering
128 posts
Sort by Latest Post, Most Popular
View by Condensed, Full
- April 21, 2012
- 01:58 PM
- 544 views
Researchers link a gene with psoriasis
by Suzanne Elvidge in Genome Engineering
Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin disorder that leads to scaly patches on the skin, causing itching and pain. Around 30% of people develop arthritis, and the disorder can have a severe impact on patients’ quality of life. Psoriasis is inherited, and researchers have linked a gene and an environmental factor with plaque psoriasis, the most common form of the disorder, as well as with pustular psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The research was published in two papers in the American Journal o........ Read more »
Jordan, C., Cao, L., Roberson, E., Pierson, K., Yang, C., Joyce, C., Ryan, C., Duan, S., Helms, C., Liu, Y.... (2012) PSORS2 is Due to Mutations in CARD14. The American Journal of Human Genetics. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2012.03.012
Jordan, C., Cao, L., Roberson, E., Duan, S., Helms, C., Nair, R., Duffin, K., Stuart, P., Goldgar, D., Hayashi, G.... (2012) Rare and Common Variants in CARD14, Encoding an Epidermal Regulator of NF-kappaB, in Psoriasis. The American Journal of Human Genetics. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2012.03.013
- April 19, 2012
- 06:00 AM
- 477 views
New viral genome combines DNA and RNA
by Suzanne Elvidge in Genome Engineering
Under the Baltimore classification, viruses can be classified into DNA viruses and RNA viruses – but this may be overturned by the discovery of a virus with a DNA-RNA hybrid genome, according to a paper published in Biology Direct.... Read more »
Diemer, G., & Stedman, K. (2012) A novel virus genome discovered in an extreme environment suggests recombination between unrelated groups of RNA and DNA viruses. Biology Direct, 7(1), 13. DOI: 10.1186/1745-6150-7-13
- April 15, 2012
- 06:00 PM
- 391 views
Genes and osteoporosis
by Suzanne Elvidge in Genome Engineering
Researchers from around the world, including the Stanford Prevention Research Center, have linked 32 genetic variations with bone mineral density (BMD), osteoporosis and bone fractures. The research, published in Nature Genetics, carried out a meta-analysis of studies involving 32,961 people of European and east Asian ancestry, looking at bone mineral density on the lumbar spine (lower back) and femoral neck (hip).... Read more »
Estrada, K., Styrkarsdottir, U., Evangelou, E., Hsu, Y., Duncan, E., Ntzani, E., Oei, L., Albagha, O., Amin, N., Kemp, J.... (2012) Genome-wide meta-analysis identifies 56 bone mineral density loci and reveals 14 loci associated with risk of fracture. Nature Genetics. DOI: 10.1038/ng.2249
- April 12, 2012
- 06:00 AM
- 483 views
Athletic frogs have faster-changing genomes
by Suzanne Elvidge in Genome Engineering
According to a study in Molecular Biology and Evolution, frogs that are fit have genomes that change faster. Researchers at the National Evolutionary Synthesis Center in Durham, North Carolina, carried out fitness tests on 500 frogs from 50 species found in Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Panama.... Read more »
Santos, J. (2012) Fast Molecular Evolution Associated with High Active Metabolic Rates in Poison Frogs. Molecular Biology and Evolution. DOI: 10.1093/molbev/mss069
- April 10, 2012
- 06:00 AM
- 350 views
The genetics of Van Gogh’s sunflowers
by Suzanne Elvidge in Genome Engineering
What has van Gogh got to do with genetics? Well, researchers have unpicked the genetics of the sunflowers in his famous paintings. The team, from the University of Georgia scientists found the mutation behind the distinctive, thick bands of yellow double flowers, and the results are published in the journal PLoS Genetics.... Read more »
Chapman MA, Tang S, Draeger D, Nambeesan S, Shaffer H, Barb JG, Knapp SJ, & Burke JM. (2012) Genetic Analysis of Floral Symmetry in Van Gogh's Sunflowers Reveals Independent Recruitment of CYCLOIDEA Genes in the Asteraceae. PLoS genetics, 8(3). PMID: 22479210
- April 9, 2012
- 06:00 AM
- 475 views
Stickleback genetics and evolution
by Suzanne Elvidge in Genome Engineering
Sticklebacks might seem insignificant (and something I remember fishing for when I was a kid), but they are great at adapting to different environments, and have provided a clue on vertebrate evolution to researchers from the Broad Institute and Stanford University. They have analyzed the entire genetic sequence of 21 threespine sticklebacks and identified which regions of the genome regulate their ability to adapt to such markedly different environments, which will give clues to other animals&r........ Read more »
Jones, F., Grabherr, M., Chan, Y., Russell, P., Mauceli, E., Johnson, J., Swofford, R., Pirun, M., Zody, M., White, S.... (2012) The genomic basis of adaptive evolution in threespine sticklebacks. Nature, 484(7392), 55-61. DOI: 10.1038/nature10944
- April 9, 2012
- 06:00 AM
- 401 views
The genetics of childhood obesity?
by Suzanne Elvidge in Genome Engineering
Like many conditions, there have been number of genes been linked with obesity, and there are likely to be more as researchers unpick this complex disorder. A team from the Early Growth Genetics (EGG) Consortium, led by the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, has found two gene variants that seem to increase the risk of obesity in children.... Read more »
Bradfield, J., Taal, H., Timpson, N., Scherag, A., Lecoeur, C., Warrington, N., Hypponen, E., Holst, C., Valcarcel, B., Thiering, E.... (2012) A genome-wide association meta-analysis identifies new childhood obesity loci. Nature Genetics. DOI: 10.1038/ng.2247
- April 4, 2012
- 06:00 AM
- 395 views
Genes for PTSD could explain risk
by Suzanne Elvidge in Genome Engineering
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder after a stressful event such as assault or terrorist attacks, but some people seem to develop it while others don’t. Why? It seems to be in their genes. UCLA scientists have linked two genes involved in serotonin production to a higher risk of developing PTSD, in a paper published in the April 3 online edition of the Journal of Affective Disorders.... Read more »
Goenjian, A., Roussos, A., Steinberg, A., Sotiropoulou, C., Walling, D., Kakaki, M., & Karagianni, S. (2011) Longitudinal study of PTSD, depression, and quality of life among adolescents after the Parnitha earthquake. Journal of Affective Disorders, 133(3), 509-515. DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2011.04.053
- April 4, 2012
- 06:00 AM
- 517 views
New breast cancer risk gene discovered
by Suzanne Elvidge in Genome Engineering
An international team of researchers led by the University of Melbourne has used new technology to fast track the discovery of a breast cancer risk gene which could assist in the discovery of other cancer genes. This is the first breast cancer risk gene to be found using massively parallel sequencing, which enables sequencing of large amounts of human DNA at high speed. The research was published in the American Journal of Human Genetics. ... Read more »
Park, D., Lesueur, F., Nguyen-Dumont, T., Pertesi, M., Odefrey, F., Hammet, F., Neuhausen, S., John, E., Andrulis, I., Terry, M.... (2012) Rare Mutations in XRCC2 Increase the Risk of Breast Cancer. The American Journal of Human Genetics, 90(4), 734-739. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2012.02.027
- March 26, 2012
- 01:11 AM
- 555 views
Genes and birth weight: Grandma’s influence?
by Suzanne Elvidge in Genome Engineering
There are lots of things that influence a baby’s weight, including the mother’s diet and weight, but it seems that a gene, known as PHLDA2, could also play a part too. Researchers at the UCL Institute of Child Health have found a single genetic variant, inherited by the baby from the mother (or even the grandmother) significantly increases a baby’s birth weight.... Read more »
Ishida, M., Monk, D., Duncan, A., Abu-Amero, S., Chong, J., Ring, S., Pembrey, M., Hindmarsh, P., Whittaker, J., Stanier, P.... (2012) Maternal Inheritance of a Promoter Variant in the Imprinted PHLDA2 Gene Significantly Increases Birth Weight. The American Journal of Human Genetics. DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2012.02.021
- March 22, 2012
- 06:00 AM
- 541 views
More on the obesity genes
by Suzanne Elvidge in Genome Engineering
There’s been a lot of research on the genetics of obesity, and it’s likely that more than one gene will be involved. And it’s important to know – as well as the effect that obesity has on the heart and the risk of cancer and diabetes, it may also affect brain function in later life.... Read more »
Liao, G., An, J., Gharami, K., Waterhouse, E., Vanevski, F., Jones, K., & Xu, B. (2012) Dendritically targeted Bdnf mRNA is essential for energy balance and response to leptin. Nature Medicine. DOI: 10.1038/nm.2687
Keller, K. (2012) Genetic Influences on Oral Fat Perception and Preference. Journal of Food Science, 77(3). DOI: 10.1111/j.1750-3841.2011.02585.x
- March 15, 2012
- 06:00 AM
- 482 views
AvidBiotics generates targeted antibacterials from draft E coli genome
by Suzanne Elvidge in Genome Engineering
In early 2011, an E coli strain known as O104 emerged in Germany, and was responsible for close to 4,000 cases of illness and 48 deaths. San Francisco company AvidBiotics has used the draft genome of this form of E coli to create a highly targeted bactericidal protein, showing that targeted agents for use against emerging bacterial pathogens could be generated within days-to-weeks of acquiring the pathogen’s genome sequence.... Read more »
Scholl, D., Gebhart, D., Williams, S., Bates, A., & Mandrell, R. (2012) Genome Sequence of E. coli O104:H4 Leads to Rapid Development of a Targeted Antimicrobial Agent against This Emerging Pathogen. PLoS ONE, 7(3). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0033637
- March 13, 2012
- 03:01 AM
- 477 views
The genes of thrill-seeking bees
by Suzanne Elvidge in Genome Engineering
Are you a thrill-seeker? Do you hang-glide at the weekend or bungee-jump on holiday? You have a lot more in common with bees than you think, according to a paper published in Science magazine.... Read more »
Liang, Z., Nguyen, T., Mattila, H., Rodriguez-Zas, S., Seeley, T., & Robinson, G. (2012) Molecular Determinants of Scouting Behavior in Honey Bees. Science, 335(6073), 1225-1228. DOI: 10.1126/science.1213962
- March 12, 2012
- 04:21 AM
- 602 views
The genetics of cancer? Not as simple as we thought
by Suzanne Elvidge in Genome Engineering
There has been a lot of talk recently of the promise of personalised medicine, but some recent research led by Cancer Research UK may mean that this isn’t as simple as we thought – a genetic profile from one part of a tumour may not be the same as a sample from nearby in the same tumour.... Read more »
Gerlinger, M., Rowan, A., Horswell, S., Larkin, J., Endesfelder, D., Gronroos, E., Martinez, P., Matthews, N., Stewart, A., Tarpey, P.... (2012) Intratumor Heterogeneity and Branched Evolution Revealed by Multiregion Sequencing. New England Journal of Medicine, 366(10), 883-892. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa1113205
- March 9, 2012
- 06:00 AM
- 585 views
Decoding the gorilla
by Suzanne Elvidge in Genome Engineering
The gorilla is the last of the parade of great apes to be sequenced – in a paper published in Nature, the researchers have revealed that humans and gorilla diverged around 10 million years ago.... Read more »
Scally, A., Dutheil, J., Hillier, L., Jordan, G., Goodhead, I., Herrero, J., Hobolth, A., Lappalainen, T., Mailund, T., Marques-Bonet, T.... (2012) Insights into hominid evolution from the gorilla genome sequence. Nature, 483(7388), 169-175. DOI: 10.1038/nature10842
- March 5, 2012
- 06:00 AM
- 557 views
The Iceman’s genome
by Suzanne Elvidge in Genome Engineering
Since he was found by hikers in 1991 frozen in the Ötztal Alps in Italy, the 5300 year old Oetzi the Iceman has been a bit of a mystery – in fact he has been described as the world’s oldest murder case. Now his genome has been sequenced, while we still don’t know how he died, we perhaps know a bit more about how he lived.... Read more »
Keller, A., Graefen, A., Ball, M., Matzas, M., Boisguerin, V., Maixner, F., Leidinger, P., Backes, C., Khairat, R., Forster, M.... (2012) New insights into the Tyrolean Iceman's origin and phenotype as inferred by whole-genome sequencing. Nature Communications, 698. DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1701
- March 5, 2012
- 12:56 AM
- 533 views
All is not lost for the Y chromosome
by Suzanne Elvidge in Genome Engineering
There have been rumours in the world of science that the male chromosome – the Y chromosome – was going to disappear at some point of human evolution, in anything from 100,000 to five million years. While the region of the Y chromosome that is specific to human males only carries 3% of the genes that it once did, loss of the genes seems to have stopped millions of years, according to a paper in Nature. So males can breathe a sigh of relief – to misquote Mark Twain, the report o........ Read more »
Hughes, J., Skaletsky, H., Brown, L., Pyntikova, T., Graves, T., Fulton, R., Dugan, S., Ding, Y., Buhay, C., Kremitzki, C.... (2012) Strict evolutionary conservation followed rapid gene loss on human and rhesus Y chromosomes. Nature. DOI: 10.1038/nature10843
- February 21, 2012
- 06:00 AM
- 483 views
Hope for Tasmanian devils
by Suzanne Elvidge in Genome Engineering
Tasmanian devils could be extinct in 20 years because of a highly contagious facial cancer called devil facial tumor disease (DFTD). In two papers, researchers have sequenced the genome of the cancer and mapped the chromosome and gene rearrangements, and this could give the animals hope at last.... Read more »
Murchison, E., Schulz-Trieglaff, O., Ning, Z., Alexandrov, L., Bauer, M., Fu, B., Hims, M., Ding, Z., Ivakhno, S., Stewart, C.... (2012) Genome Sequencing and Analysis of the Tasmanian Devil and Its Transmissible Cancer. Cell, 148(4), 780-791. DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2011.11.065
Deakin, J., Bender, H., Pearse, A., Rens, W., O'Brien, P., Ferguson-Smith, M., Cheng, Y., Morris, K., Taylor, R., Stuart, A.... (2012) Genomic Restructuring in the Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumour: Chromosome Painting and Gene Mapping Provide Clues to Evolution of a Transmissible Tumour. PLoS Genetics, 8(2). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002483
- February 20, 2012
- 06:00 AM
- 489 views
A dead plant comes back to life
by Suzanne Elvidge in Genome Engineering
Russian researchers have managed to grow fertile narrow-leaved campions (Silene stenophylla Ledeb.) from immature fruit from the Late Pleistocene age. The researchers used in vitro tissue culture and clonal micropropagation. The results are published in PNAS.... Read more »
Yashina, S., Gubin, S., Maksimovich, S., Yashina, A., Gakhova, E., & Gilichinsky, D. (2012) Regeneration of whole fertile plants from 30,000-y-old fruit tissue buried in Siberian permafrost. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1118386109
- February 16, 2012
- 06:00 AM
- 473 views
Engineered bacteria put sleeping sickness to bed
by Suzanne Elvidge in Genome Engineering
Sleeping sickness is caused by the parasite Trypanosoma brucei, which is transmitted by the tsetse fly (Glossina spp), a fly that can drink twice its weight in blood at any meal. Though it sounds benign, sleeping sickness affects the brain and can be fatal. Researchers in Belgium have engineered a naturally-occurring bacterium in the fly’s gut to target the trypanosome.... Read more »
De Vooght, L., Caljon, G., Stijlemans, B., De Beatselier, P., Coosemans, M., & Van Den Abbeele, J. (2012) Expression and extracellular release of a functional anti-trypanosome Nanobody(R) in Sodalis glossinidius, a bacterial symbiont of the tsetse fly. Microbial Cell Factories, 11(1), 23. DOI: 10.1186/1475-2859-11-23
topics
join us!
Do you write about peer-reviewed research in your blog? Use ResearchBlogging.org to make it easy for your readers — and others from around the world — to find your serious posts about academic research.
If you don't have a blog, you can still use our site to learn about fascinating developments in cutting-edge research from around the world.
