Synthetic DNA used to make proteins in living cells
Two extra letters have been added to the genetic code in bacteria, bringing the number of 'letters' up to six...
News
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
Study gives piercing insight into earlobe genetics
A total of 49 genes have been found to influence earlobe shape and attachment, new research has found...
UK Parliament considers law change on single-parent surrogacy
A remedial order has been laid before Parliament which, if passed, will give single people the same rights as couples to become the legal parents of their surrogate-born children...
Image by Christoph Bock/Max Planck Institute for Informatics via Wikimedia Commons. Depicts a DNA molecule that is methylated on both strands on the centre cytosine.
Snuggled babies show lasting changes to their DNA
Close, physical contact — or the lack of it - at an early age may lead to lasting changes to the genes, suggest researchers...
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
FDA okays test for many cancer-causing genes
The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a test which can detect cancer-causing mutations in 324 genes...
Image by Peter Artymiuk via the Wellcome Collection. Depicts the shadow of a DNA double helix, on a background that shows the fluorescent banding of the output from a DNA sequencing machine.
Gene that protects against Alzheimer's disease found
Researchers have discovered a gene which may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease...
Reviews
Theatre Review: Of Kith and Kin, Bush Theatre
Of Kith and Kin is a play about surrogacy that seems to have very little to say about surrogacy...
Comment
Autism, genetics and epigenetics: why the lived experience matters in research
by Dr Kristien Hens and 1 others
Popular scientific publications regularly have articles with headlines suggesting that 'autism is hereditary' or that the 'risk for developing autism' is mostly caused by genetics...