CRISPR-like immune system found in giant virus
Researchers have found that mimiviruses, a class of giant viruses, have an immune system reminiscent of the CRISPR system used by bacteria to evade infection...
BioNews
45 articles
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.
Radio Review: Editing Life
Professor Matthew Cobb investigates some of the implications of the groundbreaking CRISPR genome-editing technology in this BBC Radio 4 documentary...
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.
Obesity findings set precedent for GWAS research
Recent findings linking the FTO gene to adipose cell energy use not only revealed a molecular mechanism that contributes to obesity, but they are also an exemplar of how genome-wide association study findings can make the journey to clinical relevance...
Combined genetic tests could aid autism diagnosis
Scientists have found that two genetic analysis techniques can increase the number of causative mutations found in children with autism spectrum disorder...
Human cells have their clock put back
Scientists have developed a technique to lengthen telomeres - the 'caps' on the end of chromosomes that protect DNA - in human cells in the lab, increasing the cells' lifespan...
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.
AstraZeneca commits to CRISPR gene-editing collaboration
AstraZeneca has joined up with academic and industrial research partners to use CRISPR, a new and much-hyped gene-editing technology in their quest for new medicines....
Australian federal court throws out appeal on gene patenting
Gene sequences isolated from the human body are patentable, according to a ruling by the Australian federal court...
Event Review: End to End - Telomeres and Ageing
The 2013 Schrödinger Lecture at Imperial College London was delivered by Dr Elizabeth Blackburn, an Australian-American biologist based in California...
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.
'Father of genomics' Fred Sanger dies aged 95
Fred Sanger, renowned biochemist, has died aged 95. Having pioneered seminal techniques for the understanding of both proteins and DNA, Dr Sanger is widely hailed as one of the most influential scientists of recent years...
The sun still hasn't set on gene patents
Last week saw the conclusion of the long-running gene patent lawsuit known as AMP v. Myriad Genetics. At stake was the patentability of isolated DNA sequences...