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gene expression

·March 17, 2026·8 min read

Mapping Gene Activity in the Living Human Brain

New research identifies the specific "genetic software" that drives real-time neurotransmission in living humans, offering a new frontier for psychiatric treatment.

This shows a blood drop with a molecule inside it. Behind is a colorful brain.

Featured Neuroscience

·March 1, 2026·8 min read

New Tech Tracks Living Brain Activity Noninvasively

A window into the living brain. Researchers successfully use "synthetic reporters" to track brain activity and gene expression in primates via a simple blood test.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·May 28, 2024·5 min read

Revolutionary Tool Unveils Hidden Brain Cell Functions

Researchers developed ConVERGD, a tool for precise manipulation of specific cell subpopulations, enhancing studies of cellular diversity. The study demonstrated ConVERGD's utility by identifying a norepinephrine neuron subpopulation linked to anxiety. This innovative approach could impact research and treatment across various fields.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·April 29, 2024·6 min read

How Brain Stem Cells Avoid Identity Conflicts

Researchers uncovered a crucial mechanism in brain stem cells that prevents identity conflicts during gene expression, enabling these cells to maintain stemness while being primed for neuronal differentiation. The team found that the retention of neuronal gene messengers within the nucleus, while stem cell gene messengers are translated, prevents premature differentiation.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·February 11, 2023·6 min read

Large-Scale Generation of Muscle-Controlling Nerve Cells From ALS Patients

A person's sex is one of the main drivers of altered gene expression in motor neurons, regardless of whether they were derived from patients diagnosed with ALS. Male ALS stem cells generated significantly more motor neurons than the control group, however, this was not seen in female samples.

This shows the outline of two heads and a brain in a light bulb

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·August 11, 2022·5 min read

Aging Neutralizes Sex Differences in the Brain

Gene expression in male and female brains becomes more similar due to age, and both sexes contribute to the pattern. If the expression of a gene is higher in younger female brains it tends to be lower in younger male brains. Due to age, the gene expression reduces in females and increases in males, and vice versa.

This shows a drawing of a baby and a placenta

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·March 11, 2022·4 min read

Air Pollution Can Harm Pregnancy by Affecting Gene Expression in the Placenta

Study reveals significant changes in the expression of multiple genes in the placenta associated with exposure to UFP air pollution. Additionally, researchers reported noticeable reductions in fetal and placental length, and fetal weight in those with low dose UFP exposure.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·March 7, 2022·5 min read

Gene Expression in Brains of People With Bipolar Disorder

A new post-mortem study identified significant differences in gene expression in two brain areas in patients with bipolar disorder.

This is a cartoon of a man speaking loudly and an ear

Auditory Neuroscience Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·October 1, 2021·6 min read

Understanding Hearing Loss From Noise Damage Through Gene Expression Changes

Researchers have created an atlas representing changes in the levels of RNA made in different cell types in the ear following noise-induced hearing loss. They also discovered certain FDA-approved medications for diabetes and other disorders may protect against noise-related hearing loss.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·August 15, 2021·4 min read

Brain Gene Expression Patterns Altered by Chronic Opioid Use

Opioid use disorder affects genes associated with proinflammatory immune molecule encoding and genes associated with remodeling the extracellular matrix, suggesting the connection between neurons may be altered as a result of opioid use. Additionally, those with OUD have higher levels of microglia in the brain.