Genetics News And Research - June 2008 Archives

How to build a plant (6/30/2008)

Plant architecture from the genomics toolbox ...> Full Article

Lack of fragile X, related gene disrupts sleep (6/30/2008)

Lack of both the fragile X syndrome gene and one that is related could account for sleep problems associated with the disorder, which is the common cause of inherited mental impairment ...> Full Article

Meet the genome's puzzle masters (6/29/2008)

Making sense of genomic data can be a real puzzler, but computational researchers know how to put the pieces together ...> Full Article

Genome communication (6/28/2008)

Alleles of homologous genes can silence one another through paramutations ...> Full Article

Purple extremist thrives under inhospitable conditions (6/27/2008)

scientists discovers new protein that repairs DNA under extreme conditions ...> Full Article

Gene-expression profiling of the effects of liver toxins (6/26/2008)

Gene-expression data from liver tissue or whole blood can be used to classify histopathologic differences in the effects of hepatotoxins. It is hoped that these findings, will lead to a more precise way of defining the potential hepatotoxicity of new compounds. ...> Full Article

Our genome changes over lifetime (6/25/2008)

May explain many 'late-onset' diseases ...> Full Article

Novel control element of the cellular regulation circuitry discovered (6/25/2008)

Researchers have uncovered a fundamentally novel regulatory interaction among signaling proteins. This discovery will help to identify some of the so far hidden connectivity of the cell's regulatory makeup. ...> Full Article

Automated microfluidic device reduces time to screen small organisms for genetic studies (6/24/2008)

Genetic studies on small organisms such as worms and flies can now be done more quickly using a new microfluidic device ...> Full Article

Drug reverses mental retardation caused by genetic disorder (6/23/2008)

Mouse study offers hope for correcting how autism disrupts brain ...> Full Article

DNA study unlocks mystery to diverse traits in dogs (6/23/2008)

Discovery offers potential benefits for dogs and their owners ...> Full Article

Proliferating cells foil microRNA control (6/22/2008)

Biologists have discovered that proliferating cells shift the output of their genes to evade regulation by microRNAs, tiny molecules that normally suppress tumor growth. ...> Full Article

Novel DNA microarray chip predicts functional impairment and remission in rheumatoid arthritis (6/21/2008)

A new DNA microarray chip can predict severe disability and remission in patients with rheumatoid arthritis ...> Full Article

Thinking ahead: Bacteria anticipate coming changes in their environment (6/20/2008)

Microbes may be smarter than we think ...> Full Article

Unlocking genome of world's worst insect pest (6/19/2008)

Scientists are on the brink of a discovery which will facilitate the development of new, safe, more sustainable ways of controlling the world's worst agricultural insect pest - the moth, Helicoverpa armigera. ...> Full Article

Scientists Discover DNA Knot Keeps Viral Genes Tightly Corked Inside Shell (6/18/2008)

A novel twist of DNA may keep viral genes tightly wound within a capsule, waiting for ejection into a host, a high-resolution analysis of its structure has revealed. ...> Full Article

EuroDYNA takes lid off the genome (6/16/2008)

European researchers have made significant progress unravelling how genes are governed and why this sometimes goes wrong in disease. The key lies in the dynamic ever-changing structure of the chromatin ...> Full Article

A tiny key to lock blood cells' fate (6/16/2008)

Researchers discover that microRNA directs development of certain blood cells ...> Full Article

Genetics research could lead to tailor-made pigs (6/15/2008)

Geneticist has provided a boost to pig producers wanting to tailor their animals to specific markets ...> Full Article

Centromeres cross over, a lot (6/15/2008)

Recombination at centromeres is higher than anywhere else on the chromosome, even though methyltransferases do their best to prevent it ...> Full Article

Mixing and matching genes to keep nerve cells straight (6/14/2008)

With fewer than 30,000 human genes with which to work, Nature has to mix and match to generate the myriad types of neurons or nerve cells needed to assemble the brain and nervous system. Keeping this involved process on the straight and narrow requires a clever balance of promotion and inhibition ...> Full Article

Three Sequencing Companies Join 1000 Genomes Project (6/14/2008)

Biotech Innovators Will Contribute to International Effort to Produce Most Detailed Map of Genetic Variation ...> Full Article

Missing protein in Fragile X Syndrome is key to transporting signals within neurons (6/12/2008)

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) robs the brain of a protein that plays a major role in the way neurons communicate and that is essential for brain development, learning and memory. ...> Full Article

MicroRNA controls expression of oncogenes (6/12/2008)

A new study demonstrates that microRNAs can modulate the expression of well known tumor-specific oncogenic translocation proteins and may play a significant role in some human cancers. ...> Full Article

Need microRNA processing? Get Smad (6/12/2008)

Geneticists have found that Smad proteins regulate microRNA processing. ...> Full Article

Apple of her eyes (6/12/2008)

Apples being modified for many different uses ...> Full Article

Scientists identify a key regulator of DNA mutations (6/11/2008)

Researchers have independently identified a tiny molecule that directly binds to and curbs the production of the potent gene mutator B lymphocyte. ...> Full Article

RNA induction of an epigenetic hereditary pathology (6/10/2008)

A new study shows that microinjection of RNA molecules into mouse embryos induces a hereditary form of cardiac hypertrophy that is similar to human hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ...> Full Article

Joint venture bolsters genomic sequencing capabilities (6/10/2008)

Joint venture acquires two new instruments that provide an enhanced ability to sequence genomes more quickly and broadly. ...> Full Article

Gene Regulating Glucose Levels Identified (6/9/2008)

Discovery provides insight into blood sugar regulation ...> Full Article

Face-to-face search for genetic switches (6/9/2008)

A new investigation into how genes determine our facial appearance is to be launched ...> Full Article

Gene That Magnetically Labels Cells Shows Potential as Imaging Tool (6/8/2008)

Mammalian cells can produce tiny magnetic nuggets after the introduction of a single gene from bacteria, scientists have found. The gene MagA could become a valuable tool for tracking cells' movement through the body via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) ...> Full Article

Brucella abortus S19 genome sequenced; points toward virulence genes (6/8/2008)

Geneticists have sequenced the genome of Brucella abortus strain S19. Strain S19 is a naturally occurring strain of B. abortus that does not cause disease ...> Full Article

Researchers observe spontaneous 'ratcheting' of single ribosome molecules (6/8/2008)

Researchers report this week that they are the first to observe the dynamic, ratchet-like movements of single ribosomal molecules in the act of building proteins from genetic blueprints. ...> Full Article

The good news in our DNA: Defects you can fix with vitamins and minerals (6/7/2008)

Personal genomes may lead to personalized vitamin supplements ...> Full Article

Mouse ovaries and testes age in unique ways (6/6/2008)

Aging leads to large changes in gene activity in the ovaries of mice, but only limited changes in testes ...> Full Article

How cell's master transcribing machine achieves near perfection (6/6/2008)

Researchers describe cell's major transcriptional machinery, RNA polymerase II ...> Full Article

Researchers Build Model Protocell Capable of Copying DNA (6/5/2008)

Four billion years ago, modern cells were absent on our still-young planet. The simple protocells that are thought to have given rise to Earth's earliest life forms were plentiful, but likely no more than a bit of genetic material surrounded by a hollow membrane. ...> Full Article

Possible new approach to purifying drinking water (6/4/2008)

A genetic tool used by medical researchers may also be used in a novel approach to remove harmful microbes and viruses from drinking water. ...> Full Article

A common aquatic animal's genome can capture foreign DNA (6/2/2008)

Apparent ease of DNA incorporation may reveal a bizarre new form of sexual reproduction ...> Full Article

Genetic pesticide developed (6/1/2008)

Researchers describe mixture that, when consumed by termites, causes them to be cripplingly deformed after molting. ...> Full Article

Volcanic bug aids 'Children of the Moon' (6/1/2008)

Scientists probing an ancient microbe have shed new light on a rare condition that causes acute sensitivity to the sun. ...> Full Article

X chromosome exposed (6/1/2008)

An enzyme that binds differently to male and female sex chromosomes helps males to make up for their X chromosome shortage ...> Full Article