Genome · 6articles

Researchers analysed the genomes of more than 20000 blood samples in people with or without schizophrenia, taken from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium. They found that somatic mutations (non-inherited) in two genes, NRXN1 and ABCB11 correlated with schizophrenia cases when disrupted in utero.

Researchers conducted a groundbreaking study on a bacterium with a minimal genome. They observed that despite a loss of fitness during genome minimisation, the minimal cell evolved and regained its lost fitness over 2,000 generations. The study revealed that evolution persisted even in the absence of backup genes, challenging previous assumptions. These findings have significant implications for understanding the adaptability of organisms with simplified genomes and their relevance to clinical pathogens, host-associated endosymbionts, engineered microorganisms, and the origins of life itself.

Scientists discover how recent genetic mixing has transformed the roots of modern populations, revealing surprising insights into our diverse heritage.

Researchers analysed the genome from immune cells of 39 individuals. Their analysis revealed that Transposable Elements (TE), also called ‘jumping genes’ predict the severity of Influenza A infections. Genes indeed determine our health and response to diseases.

Genome biologists achieved a major feat by isolating ancient DNA from excavated pre-Hispanic individuals in modern-day Mexico. Genome sequencing of this pre-Hispanic ancient DNA revealed a ‘ghost’ ancestry, meaning ancestry not found in present-day Mexican populations.

Our genome is large. It is compacted into domains in the nucleus of cell. These domains, called topologically associating domains (TADs) are important for gene regulation and recombination during development and disease. The DNA-binding protein CTCF and cohesin were known to regulate the compaction of our genome. Now, scientists have discovered that DNA tension plays a major role too.