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...
A relatively common (present in more than 1% of the population) alternative version of a DNA sequence. Some variants are associated with particular traits and disorders, but many have no observable effect on appearance or health.
A single-letter change in one gene may considerably increase a person's risk of developing particular forms of brain cancer, say researchers...
by Emma Stoye
Scientists have found that 80 percent of DNA in the human genome, previously thought to be of no use, have important functions...
by Zara Mahmoud
A large-scale statistical analysis of DNA from nearly 150,000 people of European descent has identified ten new regions of DNA that may help us understand the biological processes linked to glucose metabolism and insulin production in type 2 diabetes....
by Sandy Starr
Last year, the Progress Educational Trust (PET) conducted a poll as part of its Wellcome Trust supported project 'Genes, Ancestry and Racial Identity: Does It Matter Where Your Genes Come From?' At three public events held under this project's auspices, attendees were asked to suggest questions for PET to put to the public, and the resulting online poll elicited 637 responses...
The 1000 Genomes Project, an initiative to sequence the genetic code of 2,500 people across five continents, has now successfully sequenced over 1,000 people's genomes...
by Holly Rogers
A genetic variation could explain why a previously promising class of drugs do not work as multiple sclerosis treatments despite being used successfully in other autoimmune diseases...
A rare genetic mutation, found in about one percent of Icelanders in a recent study, appears to protect against Alzheimer's disease and age-related cognitive decline. It is the first mutation found to act in this way and could be a target for future drug therapy...
Two novel gene variants linked to breast size may also also influence the risk of breast cancer, according to a study carried out by US genetics company 23andMe....
How are we different from animals? Comedian Marcus Brigstocke met evolutionary geneticist Professor Mark Thomas at the Cheltenham Science Festival, and asked him about what makes humans so human. Their marvellously informative discussion of human achievement covered art, religion, Adam and Eve, and how they all tie into our genes....
Hungary's Medical Research Council has begun investigations into a company that provided a politician with a certificate characterising his 'racial purity'...
BioNews, published by the Progress Educational Trust (PET), provides news and comment on genetics, assisted conception, embryo/stem cell research and related areas.