Prostate cancer blood test that 'reads genetic changes like a barcode' trialled successfully

Scientists have developed a 'barcode' blood test that reads genetic changes to pick out the most aggressive prostate cancers... [Read More]

A logical step: biocomputing pushes forward

One of the essential components of a computer, the transistor, has been created in a living biological system for the first time... [Read More]

Patentability of isolated DNA in the Australian context: Cancer Voices Australia vs Myriad Genetics Inc

Patents on human genes continue to cause controversy in the academic and popular press. A recent decision in Australia has reaffirmed the patentability of isolated human DNA in that jurisdiction... [Read More]

Lack of sleep leaves genes a bit squiffy

Inadequate sleep alters the activity of over 700 genes, scientists report. In the research, sleeping less than six hours per night for just one week impacted genes related to metabolism, inflammation and immunity... [Read More]

Scientists discover why regular sex prior to conception reduces pregnancy complications

A man may contribute more than just sperm to the process of conception, research suggests... [Read More]

Gene variant leads to six-fold increase in risk for certain brain tumours

A single-letter change in one gene may considerably increase a person's risk of developing particular forms of brain cancer, say researchers... [Read More]

Book Review: The Epigenetics Revolution - How Modern Biology is Rewriting Our Understanding of Genetics, Disease and Inheritance

In her new book, 'The Epigenetics Revolution', Nessa Carey argues that we are in the midst of the next great upheaval in biological thinking... [Read More]

Anti-cancer drug could be used in treatment for HIV

Scientists have discovered that an anti-cancer drug can revive dormant HIV thereby allowing therapies to act upon the low level inactive virus particles that hide in patients' immune cells and have, until now, been unsusceptible to treatment... [Read More]

An eggsample of why it is hard to prove a negative

Earlier this year, a paper claimed to have found cells, called ovarian stem cells, in the adult ovaries of both mice and humans. These cells could apparently be grown in large numbers in the lab and could retain the ability to give rise to eggs. A new study finds no evidence for the existence of germline progenitors able to produce eggs in postnatal ovaries. Is a lack of evidence sufficient to win the argument?... [Read More]

Podcast Review: The World of Top (Genetics) Models

The top models featured in the latest Naked Genetics podcast are not the kind that grace the runway – they're the ones that grace our laboratories, providing valuable clues about conditions like Alzheimer's, viral infections and plant diseases... [Read More]

By accident, scientists discover how commonest DNA replication error is corrected

Scientists have discovered the enzyme in our cells which corrects the most frequently occurring mistake in DNA as cells divide... [Read More]

Six kinds of synthetic DNA created

Six new kinds of artificial genetic material have been created by scientists. These XNAs, or xeno-nucleic acids, have similar life-building properties to naturally-occurring DNA... [Read More]

'Landmark' study could change future of breast cancer

Breast cancer can be reclassified into ten separate 'diseases' based on its genetic characteristics, according to scientists. Analysis of the DNA and RNA from almost 2,000 tumours identified ten genetically different subtypes of breast cancer with different survival outcomes. The information could be used to better predict the outcomes of the disease, as well as offer tailored treatment to patients... [Read More]

Genetics of uncontrolled brain growth in autism identified

Faulty genetic mechanisms particularly active in early life may lead to people developing autism, research suggests... [Read More]

Personalised medicine details diabetes development for one scientist

Personalised medicine doesn't get much more personal than this. For more than two years, researchers at the Stanford University School of Medicine have been focusing on one person's genetic profile – that of their colleague and fellow geneticist, Dr Michael Snyder... [Read More]

Two RNA studies give clues to neurodegeneration

Two independent studies have suggested new targets for treating neurodegenerative diseases... [Read More]

Mouse study offers hope for treating leading genetic cause of infant death

Researchers have made a step forward in the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy, a serious genetic disorder, by using a stretch of RNA to trigger mice into producing a back-up version of a missing protein... [Read More]

Nobel prize for scientist who experimented on himself

The winners of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2011 were announced on 3 October with an unusual twist – for the first time the accolade has been bestowed on someone posthumously. This is normally against the Nobel Assembly's rules, but Professor Ralph Steinman's untimely death on 30 September occurred after messages had been sent to him informing him of his success... [Read More]

Mapping the epigenome: Europe leads the way

The European Commission (EC) is investing €30 million in BLUEPRINT, a project to map the human epigenome - the sum total of the non-coding, but inherited, modifications to DNA... [Read More]

'Man flu' - do women just have stronger immune systems?

Genetic differences between men and women could mean that women are better at resisting certain infections and diseases than men, a new study suggests. The second X chromosome in women gives them an immunological advantage over men, possibly giving credence to man's perceived susceptibility to 'man-flu'.... [Read More]