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Genetics news

Oncology & Cancer

BRCA2 research reveals a novel mechanism behind chemoresistance

One of the biggest challenges in cancer treatment is chemoresistance: Tumors that initially respond well to chemotherapy become resistant over time. When that happens, treatment options are often limited.

Genetics

Study links genetic variants to higher 'bad' cholesterol and heart attack risk

An international team led by a University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine scientist has created a first-of-its-kind resource to identify those with a genetic risk for elevated "bad" cholesterol—a major contributor to heart ...

Oncology & Cancer

Mutation yields hot new clues for treating immune 'cold' tumors

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) emerged in the US about 15 years ago as an exciting class of cancer treatments that have achieved complete and durable remissions for thousands of people with end-stage metastatic cancers. ...

Genetics

Common genetic causes across motor neuron diseases identified

Motor neuron diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), share physical similarities but have been largely viewed as genetically distinct. However, an analysis led by investigators ...

Genetics

MAGIC: AI-assisted 'laser tag' illuminates cancer origins

The human body relies on precise genetic instructions to function, and cancer begins when these instructions get scrambled. When cells accumulate genetic errors over time, they can break free of the normal controls on their ...

Genetics

3D genome mapping tool reveals hidden complexity in DNA

Standard laboratory tests can fail to detect many disease-causing DNA changes. Now, a novel 3D chromosome mapping method can reliably reveal these hidden structural variants and lead to new discoveries.

Genetics

Previously unknown genetic cause of microcephaly identified

Microcephaly is a congenital malformation that leads to a significantly reduced brain size and is often accompanied by developmental delay. An international research team led by Dr. Tran Tuoc from the Department of Human ...

Genetics

Discovery reveals how chromosome ends can be protected

Researchers have uncovered a previously unknown mechanism that safeguards the chromosome ends from being mistakenly repaired by the cell. While DNA repair is vital for survival, attempts to repair the chromosome ends—called ...

Genetics

How DNA damage can lead to motor neuron disease

Researchers at the University of Bath have discovered how DNA damage caused by a faulty DNA protection and repair system can lead to neurodegenerative disorders such as motor neuron disease (MND).

Genetics

Tiny fish open new horizons for autism research

Researchers from Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Japan, have revealed that environment influences social behaviors in autism. By using zebrafish that have a mutation in ube3a, a gene linked to Angelman syndrome ...

Genetics

How quickly mRNA degrades is linked to autoimmune disease risk

A pizza shop with 30 delivery people ought to be able to deliver a lot of pizzas—if their cars don't break down on the way. Likewise, genes that produce a lot of messenger RNA (mRNA) molecules can build a lot of proteins—if ...