Genetic variant may influence biological ageing

Scientists have identified a genetic variant that may influence the rate at which a person will age. The finding, published in last week's edition of the journal Nature Genetics, could help identify which individuals are most susceptible to common age-related conditions, such as heart disease and Alzheimer's disease....[Read More]

Book Review: The Usborne Introduction to Genes and DNA

The media is filled with coverage of genes and genetics, ranging from new clinical developments to genetic advancements. But few biology textbooks/booklets offer a way of simplifying the topic to pupils. This is one of the advantages of this introductory book...[Read More]

'Embryo destroyed' stories came from nowhere

Newspaper stories claiming that fertility regulators in the UK have allowed embryos to be destroyed for 'minor disorders' are unrelated to decisions taken at a recent regulatory meeting. Stories last week said the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) had allowed doctors to routinely screen out more than 100 genetic disorders using PGD (preimplantation genetic diagnosis). But, according to HFEA sources, the list of genetic disorders approved for PGD...[Read More]

Top IVF clinic mistakenly uses genetically abnormal sperm to treat infertile couples

A mistake at one of London's top fertility clinics has resulted in more than 11 women being treated with genetically abnormal sperm, according to an exposé published in the Independent on Sunday newspaper this week. If passed on, the chromosomal abnormality carried by the sperm could have triggered miscarriages or resulted in the birth of a child with serious chromosomal disorder....[Read More]

Scientists calculate mutation rate in human genome

Scientists based at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, in Hinxton, Cambridge UK, have used ‘next generation sequencing technology' to work out the mutation rate in the human genome. The international team's findings were published in Current Biology last week....[Read More]

Down syndrome cells in the brains of healthy people may play a role in Alzheimer's disease

BioNews reporting from the British Society for Human Genetics (BSHG) annual conference in Warwick:...[Read More]

New gene variant raises ovarian cancer risk by up to 40 per cent

A genetic defect that may increase the lifetime risk of ovarian cancer by up to 40 per cent has been identified for the first time. This breakthrough of finding the first common genetic variant uniquely linked to ovarian cancer could enable a genetic screening programme to identify those women most at risk...[Read More]

What role might epigenetics have in shaping a person's development?

Epigenetics is about the when and where of gene activity and about shaping development in response to early experience - from internal cues in the growing embryo to the prevailing physical and the social environment. So it is not surprising that discoveries in epigenetics are being enthusiastically embraced by those who find the fatalism often associated with classical genetics rather soul-destroying. But it is important not to overstate the case for epigenetics. DNA sequence, its variations ...[Read More]

Sperm from stem cells sparks media furore

UK scientists have created human sperm cells in the laboratory for the first time. The sperm, called in vitro-derived (IVD) sperm, were grown from embryonic stem (ES) cells. The researchers hope that the IVD sperm will provide a useful model for studying the development of sperm cells and the causes of male infertility....[Read More]