genes

Annuals converted into perennials

harminka — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 01:28:28 -0600

Only 2 genes make the difference between herbaceous plants and trees

Social interactions can alter gene expression in brain

harminka — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 07:53:55 -0600

Our DNA determines a lot about who we are and how we play with others, but recent studies of social animals (birds and bees, among others) show that the interaction between genes and behavior is more of a two-way street than most of us realize.

New UGA research on gene sheds light on T-cell production

harminka — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 06:14:58 -0600

New research, just published by researchers from the University of Georgia, provides the first evidence that a key gene may be crucial to maintaining the production of the thymus and its disease-fighting T-cells after an animal’s birth.

Human genes sing different tunes in different tissues

harminka — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 11:40:54 -0600

Scientists have long known that it's possible for one gene to produce slightly different forms of the same protein by skipping or including certain sequences from the messenger RNA.

Corn researchers discover novel gene shut-off mechanisms

harminka — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 03:44:44 -0500

University of Delaware scientists, in collaboration with researchers from the University of Arizona and South Dakota State University, have identified unusual differences in the natural mechanisms that turn off, or “silence,” genes in corn.

Engineering technique to identify disease-causing genes

harminka — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:08:53 -0500

Scientists believe that complex diseases such as schizophrenia, major depression and cancer are not caused by one, but a multitude of dysfunctional genes. A novel computational biology method developed by a research team led by Ali Abdi, PhD, associate professor in NJIT's department of electrical and computer engineering, has found a way to uncover the critical genes responsible for disease development.

Gene hunt in dyslexia

harminka — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 06:15:27 -0500

Letters are warped, syllables left out – about four percent of the German population are dyslexics. Scientists seek to spot responsible genes and try to develop a genetic screening test to support affected children at an earlier age.

New self-training gene prediction program for fungi

harminka — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 12:06:29 -0500

Software is a new addition to the family of GeneMark gene prediction programs developed at Georgia Tech

Gene that may contribute to improved rice yield

harminka — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:18:01 -0500

A team of scientists, including Penn State Distinguished Professor of Biology Hong Ma, has identified a gene in rice that controls the size and weight of rice grains. The gene may prove to be useful for breeding high-yield rice and, thus, may benefit the vast number of people who rely on this staple food for survival.

Study offers tool for communicating genetics to public

harminka — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 01:49:35 -0500

Even scientists define 'a gene' in different ways, so it comes as little surprise that the media also have various ways of framing the concept of a gene, according to a new study appearing in the October 2008 issue of EMBO reports.

Plant steroids offer new paradigm for how hormones work

harminka — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:14:02 -0500

Steroids bulk up plants just as they do human athletes, but the playbook of molecular signals that tell the genes to boost growth and development in plant cells is far more complicated than in human and animal cells.

New method enabling routine targeted gene modification

harminka — Thu, 24 Jul 2008 14:01:47 -0500

A multi-institutional team led by Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) investigators has developed a powerful new tool for genomic research and medicine – a robust method for generating synthetic enzymes that can target particular DNA sequences for inactivation or repair.