First genetic link to bone marrow cancer identified

Two new gene variants, which each increase the risk of bone marrow cancer by 30 percent, have been identified by scientists at the Institute for Cancer Research...[Read More]

Ten questions for Lone Frank, author of 'My Beautiful Genome'

'We are not our genomes'. Lone Frank, the author of 'My Beautiful Genome – Exposing our Genetic Quirks, One Genome at a Time' spoke to BioNews about her latest book, the recent surge in direct-to-consumer genetic tests, the ethical dilemmas they could pose and what we can understand from such tests. As he says, 'genetics is a work in progress'...[Read More]

Genome blueprint of mice helps understanding of human genetics

International researchers have mapped over 55 million genetic variations in the mouse genome in the hopes of better understanding human disease. The genomes of 17 strains of mice were analysed and variations in their DNA, called SNPs, were catalogued...[Read More]

Book Review: Genetic Twists of Fate

News reports that researchers have linked a certain gene to a disease, condition or trait appear almost daily. The most recent include multiple sclerosis, ovarian cancer, schizophrenia and even intelligence...[Read More]

Blood pressure linked to genetic variations

Scientists have identified 29 regions of the genome associated with hypertension in people of European origin. Of these, 16 areas contained completely new genes, which had not been previously associated with the risk of developing high blood pressure....[Read More]

Book Review: Celebrating 75 Extraordinary Years

On 25 July 2011 the Wellcome Trust turned 75, and to celebrate they have commissioned a collection of 15 stories based on some of the most interesting people they have funded...[Read More]

Study finds new genes linked to migraine

Scientists have carried out a large genome-wide association study (GWAS) looking into SNPs (single nucleotide polymorphisms) potentially associated with migraine and have discovered three new genes that may be associated with the condition...[Read More]

Scientists uncover 'key gene' linked to regulation of body fat

Scientists say they have found a 'master regulator' gene, KLF14, which controls how active some fat metabolism genes are in your fat cells....[Read More]

Researchers discover gene linked to rare brain disorder

A gene mutation thought to be responsible for the rare hereditary brain disorder Kufs disease has been identified, scientists report. The research was carried out by Dr Melanie Bahlo and her team at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute's bioinformatics department in Parkville, Australia...[Read More]

Epigenomic research sheds light on complex disease

US researchers have revealed how changes in regions of DNA that do not code for genes can affect disease. The majority of the human genome is composed of non-protein coding regions of DNA. Changes in these regions are associated with disease susceptibility, but precisely how these changes function is unclear...[Read More]

Science 'express concern' over publication of 'flawed' longevity gene paper

Serious doubts have been raised over the validity of a study on the genetic basis on longevity published in the journal Science....[Read More]

Study finds new genes linked to anorexia

Several genetic markers associated with the psychiatric disorder anorexia nervosa (AN) have been identified. American researchers carried out the first, large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) for AN...[Read More]

Study finds new genetic links to psoriasis

An international research team has published data from a group of studies, which have uncovered new genetic variants associated with the autoimmune disease, psoriasis....[Read More]

Genetic role in Vitamin E metabolism

Two commonly occurring genetic variants in the human CYP4F2 gene have been found to affect metabolism of vitamin E. Vitamin E is a generic term for a group of fat-soluble compounds and consists of eight chemical forms...[Read More]

Obesity genetics goes 'pear-shaped'

Scientists from the GIANT (Genetic Investigation of Anthropometric Traits) consortium have identified new genetic markers linked to body shape and obesity...[Read More]

The Irish are different - genetically

The genome of an Irish man has been fully sequenced for the first time, and reveals a unique 'Irish genetic signature'. Professor Brendan Loftus from the Conway Institute at University College Dublin, who led the study, hopes that the findings will contribute to the understanding of genetic diversity...[Read More]

Studies find gene variants linked to blood cholesterol levels

Two new studies published in Nature have found...[Read More]

DNA used to pinpoint ancestors' villages

An individual's genome can be used to accurately predict their ancestral origin, to the nearest five miles, a new study has found...[Read More]

Genes linked to brain aneurysm risk found

Three new gene variants have been linked to increased risk of brain aneurysms in the largest ever genome-wide study of its kind. The discovery brings the total number of gene variants linked to the condition up to five and paves the way for more targeted drug treatments and early screening tests...[Read More]

Genetic information doesn't improve breast cancer risk prediction, large study finds

Breast cancer risk prediction does not improve significantly when genetic information is included in the risk prediction model, a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has found....[Read More]