Genetics & Molecular Biology

Convergent Evolution? Biological Adaptation To Thin Air And A Gene Trait Quirk

Tibetan and Ethiopian highlanders share a biological adaptation that enables them to thrive in the low oxygen levels of high altitudes, but the ability to pass on the trait appears to be linked to different genes in the two groups. The adaptation is the s ...

Article - News Staff - Dec 7 2012 - 5:00am

Harlequin weaponry

In recent years, Britain has been invaded by Harlequin ladybirds, which are threatening our native species.  In this picture, a native seems to be trying to mount a harlequin, although I cannot see any little larvae resulting from this activity! ...

Blog Post - Robert H Olley - Dec 12 2012 - 2:20pm

Retinoblastoma Proteins Strongest Just Before Death

Retinoblastoma tumor suppressor proteins is, shall we say, untraditional.  But it could mean new ways to treat cancer. As an organism grows, proteins essential for fueling its prosperity typically toe a tight line, performing their jobs at the right place ...

Article - News Staff - Dec 12 2012 - 5:26pm

Christmas Tree Genome Hasn't Changed Much In 100 Million Years

Science can make better corn and, well, better everything- except perhaps the Christmas tree. The genome of conifers like spruce, pine and fir has remained pretty much the same for the last 100 million years- a remarkable feat of genomic stability. Resear ...

Article - News Staff - Dec 13 2012 - 1:40pm

Turing Mechanism And The Biology Of How We Generate Our Fingers And Toes

A project has identified the mechanism responsible for generating our fingers and toes, and revealed the importance of gene regulation in the transition of fins to limbs during evolution.   Their conclusion involves a theoretical model for pattern formati ...

Article - News Staff - Dec 15 2012 - 11:30am

Translation Elongation Factor P Raises The Blockade In Protein Synthesis

A research group examining how bacteria cope with stress, for example how the receptor meolecule CadC monitors the acidity in the environment and alerts the cell to take countermeasures to protect itself, led to some answers about protein synthesis, the c ...

Article - News Staff - Dec 16 2012 - 8:00am

Enzyme PRSS3 Linked To Prostate Cancer

Researchers have identified an enzyme,  PRSS3, specifically linked to aggressive prostate cancer, and have also developed a compound that inhibits the ability of this molecule to promote the metastatic spread of the cancer. They made the discovery by inve ...

Article - News Staff - Dec 25 2012 - 5:49pm

P53: The Genetic Link Between Flying, Cancer Resistance And Longevity

The Australian mega bat and a Chinese micro bat may provide clues to the future treatment and prevention of infectious diseases and cancer in people, say researchers.  These bats evolved flight, resistance to viruses and the ability to live relatively lon ...

Article - News Staff - Dec 21 2012 - 11:07am

First Goat Genome Facilitates De Novo Assembly Of Large Genomes

Researchers have completed the first genome sequence of domestic goat by integrating next-generation sequencing (NGS) and whole-genome mapping (WGM) technologies. The goat genome is the first reference genome for small ruminant animals and may help to adv ...

Article - News Staff - Dec 23 2012 - 5:14pm

Three Variants Are Genetic Clues To Insulin Production

Scientists have found three new and relatively rare genetic variants that influence insulin production, offering new clues about the genetic factors behind diabetes. Diabetes, which affects more than 25 million people in the United States, results from pr ...

Article - News Staff - Dec 23 2012 - 5:17pm