Genetics

Biotechnology

Laziness may be genetic, report claims

Posted in Exercise, Genetic Research, Weight and Obesity, Genetics on Fri July 18, 2008

Physical activity and exercise habits may be predetermined by an individual's genetic make-up, studies suggest. ... Continue Reading

New Method Identifies Genes Affecting Health In Fraction Of A Second

Posted in Longevity and Age Management, Genetic Research, Gene Therapy, Genetics on Fri July 11, 2008

A new tool which makes it possible to extract information about an individual's health from genotypes in a fraction of a second, has been developed by an academic at the University of Southampton. ... Continue Reading

Newly Identified Role For ‘Power Plants’ In Human Cells Could Lead to Targeted Therapies

Posted in Genetic Research, Genetics on Mon June 30, 2008

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Scientists have determined that human cells are able to shift important gene products into their own mitochondria, considered the power plants of cells. The finding could eventually lead to therapies for dozens of diseases. ... Continue Reading

Personal genomes may lead to personalized vitamin supplements

Posted in Biotechnology, Gene Therapy, Genetics on Thu June 05, 2008

As the cost of sequencing a single human genome drops rapidly, with one company predicting a price of $100 per person in five years, soon the only reason not to look at your "personal genome" will be fear of what bad news lies in your genes. ... Continue Reading

Neurological genetics linked to progression of ALS

Posted in Genetic Research, Genetics in Disease, Neurology, Genetics on Mon June 02, 2008

Geneticists at the University of Tokyo have shed new light on the genetics of the fatal neurological disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ... Continue Reading

More people suffering from allergies, statistics show

Posted in Environment, Genetic Research, Genetics on Wed May 28, 2008

Over the last 30 years physicians have reported a significant increase in the number of people affected by allergies. ... Continue Reading

MPs back creation of human-animal embryos

Posted in Longevity and Age Management, Genetic Research, Genetic Engineering, Genetics on Tue May 20, 2008

British scientists will be allowed to research devastating diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s using human-animal embryos, after the House of Commons rejected a ban yesterday. ... Continue Reading

Genetic testing 'only useful when performed with reason'

Posted in Genetics on Fri May 16, 2008

Genetic testing is only advised for people at risk of developing a genetic condition, according to the Genetic Interest Group. ... Continue Reading

Scientists Discover Parallel Codes In Genes

Posted in Genetics on Mon February 12, 2007

Researchers from The Weizmann Institute of Science report the discovery of two new properties of the genetic code. Their work, which appears online in Genome Research, shows that the genetic code -- used by organisms as diverse as reef coral, termites, and humans -- is nearly optimal for encoding signals of any length in parallel to sequences that code for proteins. In addition, they report that the genetic code is organized so efficiently that when the cellular machinery misses a beat during protein synthesis, the process is promptly halted before energy and resources are wasted. ... Continue Reading