Genetics

New tool reveals the impact of 'jumping genes' on diseases

RIKEN geneticists have developed a tool that can quickly and accurately analyze variants in mobile genetic elements, commonly known as "jumping genes." This promises to shed light on the role such variants play in disease.

Oncology & Cancer

Mobile DNA elements can boost the development of malignant tumors

Nearly half of the human genome is composed of transposable elements, which are sequences of DNA that are able to replicate and relocate in the genome. Previously, transposable elements have been considered "junk" DNA in ...

Alzheimer's disease & dementia

Inflammatory trigger a new clue in Alzheimer's

Scientists from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UT Health San Antonio) today reported that an inflammatory trigger like one present during viral infections is elevated in Alzheimer's disease ...

Oncology & Cancer

'Jumping genes' drive many cancers

Mistakes in DNA are known to drive cancer growth. But a new study, from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, heavily implicates a genetic phenomenon commonly known as "jumping genes" in the growth of tumors.

Neuroscience

The brain's stunning genomic diversity revealed

Our brains contain a surprising diversity of DNA. Even though we are taught that every cell in our body has the same DNA, in fact most cells in the brain have changes to their DNA that make each neuron a little different.

Oncology & Cancer

'Jumping genes' may drive esophageal cancer

Cancer Research UK scientists have found that 'jumping genes' may add to the genetic chaos behind more than three-quarters of oesophageal cancer cases, according to research published in BMC Genomics today.

Medical research

Fertility: Sacrificing eggs for the greater good

A woman's supply of eggs is a precious commodity because only a few hundred mature eggs can be produced throughout her lifetime and each must be as free as possible from genetic damage. Part of egg production involves a winnowing ...

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