The recent publication of the assembly, analysis and annotation of the genome sequence of a female Duroc pig (Sus scrofa) may pay off big for medical research as well as for agricultural production. Although pigs are larger, more expensive to house and slower to reproduce than other common lab animals such as rodents, they shareContinueContinue reading “Bringing home the bacon genome”
Tag Archives: genetics & genomics
It takes TALEN to edit zebrafish DNA
The zebrafish (Danio rerio) is an increasingly popular model for research on vertebrate biology and human disease, thanks in part to its short generation time and transparent, externally fertilized eggs, which facilitate studies of embryonic development. An array of molecular tools has been applied to zebrafish studies, including various genome modification techniques. For example, zincContinueContinue reading “It takes TALEN to edit zebrafish DNA”
A computational view of sea urchin development
As an embryo develops into an adult, each cell follows a genetic ‘script’ comprising an intricate network of interactions between regulatory genes. Extensive research has been done to identify these genes and their interactions in order to build a more detailed understanding of how development progresses. Sea urchin embryos are favored models for such research,ContinueContinue reading “A computational view of sea urchin development”
The link between methylation and memory
Alterations in epigenetic regulation, processes that affect the availability of genes for transcription and hence their expression levels, are known to have a role in diseases such as cancer. Growing evidence suggests that epigenetic changes are also involved in aging. DNA methylation is one form of epigenetic regulation. Several studies have reported that methylation declinesContinueContinue reading “The link between methylation and memory”
The root of male pattern baldness
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA), more commonly known as male pattern baldness, occurs in almost 80% of men during their lifetimes. Despite this high prevalence, little is known about its causes or potential treatments. George Cotsarelis (University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia) and colleagues sought to identify genetic factors involved in the condition by comparing gene expression levels inContinueContinue reading “The root of male pattern baldness”
Retrieving new information on ichthyosis
Ichthyosis is a broad term for a group of hereditary skin disorders with various presentations, usually including scaling of the skin. Some forms are relatively mild, whereas others are quite severe. Previous research has identified several genes and gene regions that are associated with some forms of ichthyosis, but for other forms, the underlying geneticContinueContinue reading “Retrieving new information on ichthyosis”
Human Y chromosome isn’t wasting away
Some time ago, the future of the human Y chromosome was called into question. After all, other species, such as mole voles and spiny rats, have lost their Y chromosomes, and sex-determination responsibilities have fallen to other chromosomes. In fact, the human Y did not start off as a sex-determining chromosome either. Human X andContinueContinue reading “Human Y chromosome isn’t wasting away”
How do fruit flies smell?
Fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster) rely heavily on their sense of smell, and a large portion of their brain is dedicated to processing olfactory information. Recently, a group directed by Grace Boekhoff-Falk (University of Wisconsin, Madison) determined that the gene distal-less (dll) is essential for correct development of this olfactory system in fruit flies (Proc. Natl.ContinueContinue reading “How do fruit flies smell?”
‘Switching on’ transcription
Controlling gene expression in vivo forms the basis for genetic engineering for research and therapeutic purposes. Recently, Haifeng Ye and Martin Fussenegger (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zurich, Basel, Switzerland) reported their success in developing a light-driven, synthetic biology mechanism to control transcription. To prove that the technique has therapeutic potential, they used it to control insulinContinueContinue reading “‘Switching on’ transcription”
A surprise twist to ribosomes
About 65 years ago, at the National Cancer Institute (Bethesda, MD), a spontaneous mutation arose in a litter of inbred mice. Several of the offspring had abnormal skeletal features that included a short, kinky tail and an extra set of ribs in their neck vertebrae. Researchers at the time knew these ‘tail-short’ mutants could beContinueContinue reading “A surprise twist to ribosomes”
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