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genetics news

·January 10, 2011·2 min read

Gene Translation Targeted in Huntington’s Disease Research

Huntington’s disease research using simple organisms such as baker’s yeast has yielded new information about underlying mechanisms of Huntington’s disease...

Genetics Neuroscience

·December 17, 2010·2 min read

Pain in the Potassium Channels

The removal of a certain class of potassium channels from the surface of nociceptors is believed to be a key factor in inflammatory pain signaling. Using gene interference to reduce the expression of these specific potassium channels on nociceptors, researchers were able to produce hyperexcitability in nociceptors resembling that seen in inflammatory pain signaling.

Brain Cancer Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·November 15, 2010·2 min read

Zif Protein Controls Brain Stem Cells

Zif proteins have been found to control whether a brain stem cell differentiates into a neuron or renews as a brain stem cell. There are Zif related proteins in humans that may be targeted by new treatments for brain cancer and other diseases.

Genetics Neuroscience

·October 18, 2010·2 min read

Neurobiologists Genetically Engineer Mice to Smell Light

Neurobiologists have genetically engineered mice to smell light. This optogenetics research provides a better understanding of the neural basis of...

Featured Genetics

·October 15, 2010·5 min read

Healthy Babies Born in Genetic Screening Study

Two healthy baby girls and a healthy baby boy were born recently after genetic screening study. These babies were the first human babies born that relied on IVF and had each chromosome assessed in each oocyte before IVF. The genetic screening technique used improves on many other methods.

Human embryonic stem cell therapy possibilities are listed on the image of a man.

Featured Genetics Neuroethics Neuroscience

·October 11, 2010·5 min read

First Clinical Trial of Human Embryonic Stem Cell Therapy in the World Begins

Human embryonic stem cell therapy is being tried on a human for the first time in a new clinical trial....

Featured Genetics

·October 4, 2010·2 min read

Adult Stem Cells Created That Do Not Age

Researchers genetically altered mesenchymal stem cells to create new stem cell lines that showed no signs of aging in culture, did not increase tumor production in animal studies and functioned as healthy mesenchymal cells do.

Featured Genetics

·September 28, 2010·2 min read

Early Life Stresses Could Have Lasting Effects On GAD1 Gene

Neuroscience research published in September's Journal of Neuroscience suggests early life stresses may modify the GAD1 gene, which controls the production of GABA. Through their research on rats, researchers were able to note that those who experienced a lack of affection showed an obstruction within the DNA which controls the GAD1 gene. As it is believed that GABA deficits might be apparent within schizophrenic patients, researchers propose that the modification of GAD1 might determine a child's predisposition to mental illness.

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·September 28, 2010·2 min read

Carbonated Drinks Affect Pain Sensors In Nasal Cavity

Neuroscientists at USC have discovered that carbonated drinks set off the same pain sensors in the nasal cavity as mustard, albeit at a lower intensity. During experimentation, researchers flowed carbonated saline over a dish containing nerve cells taken from the sensory circuits in the nose and mouth. They discovered that the gas activated a specific cell which serve as general pain sensors and expresses the TRPA1 gene.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience

·September 17, 2010·3 min read

Disabling The RGS14 Gene Makes Mice Smarter

Researchers have discovered that disabling the RGS14 gene in mice can make them smarter. When the RGS14 gene was disabled within the CA2 region of the hippocampus, researchers found that mice were better able to remember objects they had explored and learn to navigate mazes better than regular mice.

Featured Featured Articles Genetics

·September 2, 2010·3 min read

Academic Performance Linked To Dopamine Gene Variation

New research proposes that academic performance of adolescents is linked to specific dopamine gene variations. Researchers also suggest a correlation exists between the variants of dopaminergic genes a student possesses and performance in specific subject areas.