How Genetics Connects to Sports and Human Performance

 

The article “Genetics and Sports” from British Medical Bulletin talks about how genes can affect athletic ability. It explains that some people may have gene variants that help with strength, speed, endurance, and muscle growth. The article reviews research that studies how DNA may influence sports performance. Scientists use genetic studies to see if certain genes are more common in elite athletes. For example, some genes are linked to muscle power, while others may affect how the body uses oxygen during exercise. The article shows that sports ability is not just about training. Genetics can also play a role. However, the article also explains that genes do not decide everything. Training, diet, practice, and motivation are very important too. Genetics may give someone an advantage, but hard work still matters. This research is important because it helps scientists understand how the body works. It may also help with sports training, injury prevention, and health research in the future.

This article shows that genetics can influence traits like speed, strength, and endurance. The study uses scientific research to look at how DNA differences may affect athletic performance. Even if someone has “good genes” for sports, training is still very important.The article explains that many genes can work together to affect human performance. This topic shows how genetics connects to real-life areas like sports and health. Research like this helps scientists understand how nature (genes) and environment (training) work together.

#Genetics #SportsScience #DNA #HumanTraits #ScienceNews

Source: https://academic.oup.com/bmb/article-abstract/93/1/27/306419

Additional Resource: https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Genetics 

Genetic “Scoring” of IVF Embryos Raises Ethical Concerns

 

    A new reproductive technology is enabling scientists to analyze the DNA of embryos created through in vitro fertilization (IVF) and rank them by predicted traits. This process, known as polygenic embryo screening, examines thousands of genetic variants in an embryo’s DNA to calculate a score that predicts the likelihood of certain characteristics, such as disease risk or physical traits.

    Polygenic screening goes beyond traditional genetic testing used in IVF. In the past, embryos were typically screened for serious genetic diseases caused by single-gene mutations. However, newer technologies aim to predict complex traits influenced by many genes acting together.

    Although the technology may help reduce the risk of certain inherited diseases, many scientists argue that it remains unreliable and requires stronger regulation. Predicting complex traits such as intelligence or height is extremely difficult because they are influenced by thousands of genes and environmental factors.

    This technology is significant because it raises major ethical and social concerns. Some experts worry that selecting embryos based on predicted traits could increase social inequality if only wealthy families can access these technologies. Others believe it could lead to a future where parents attempt to design children with preferred characteristics.

    Overall, this research highlights both the potential and the challenges of modern genetic technology. While genetic screening could help reduce certain inherited diseases, scientists emphasize the need for careful regulation to ensure that these technologies are used responsibly.

Source: 

https://www.livescience.com/health/genetics/new-tech-allows-parents-to-score-ivf-embryos-for-desirable-traits-and-its-in-desperate-need-of-regulation-opinion

Additional Link: 

https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/testing/uses/

Genetic Mapping of Mental Health Disorders

    

     A group of researchers has been able to identify why mental health disorders have such high rates of comorbidity. Fourteen psychiatric disorders were examined and five groups were identified, which later allowed a gene map to be created. These groups included: compulsive disorders, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, neurodevelopmental disorders, internalizing disorders, and substance use disorders. Each of these groups has 238 pleiotropic loci, or small differences that influence the way the brain works, which can contribute to the high rates of comorbid disorders. 

    About half the population is affected by a mental health disorder at some point in their lifetime. Many psychiatrists only focus on the symptoms, not the genetics/biology. By understanding the links between disorders, it is easier to come up with treatments that can target multiple disorders in groups of people instead of each one individually. These findings also suggest a need for therapeutic development designed to treat more than one disorder in a person at a time. 

Sources: 

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09820-3

https://stories.tamu.edu/news/2026/01/12/one-genetic-map-could-rewrite-how-we-understand-mental-health/

Overcoming Bottlenecks in Plant Genetics: The Jumping Gene

 

    In the past delivering gene-editing machinery to plant cells was thought to only be successful through CRISPR/Cas9. However, limitations exist with this method as it is too large, so plant biologist are left with no choice but to use a two-step method which is time consuming and restrictive to certain plant species. Cas9’s are made up of around 1,300 amino acids, scientists began experimenting with smaller alternatives. A recent study from UC Davis highlights the promising findings of TnpB, an enzyme associated with transposons also known as “jumping genes” functions like CRISPR/Cas9, but is only around 400 amino acids in length, which is a much more ideal size for gene editing in plants.

    

The discovery and small stature of TnpB is a massive step toward global food security. With the use of this smaller, more manageable enzyme researchers can target genes in specific crops. Additionally, they can do so with high percentages of accuracy that can improve traits such as drought resistance, nutritional value, and shelf life. For example, the team successfully used this tiny editor to modify tobacco plants, demonstrating a 90% efficiency rate.

    

    These findings support the need for new and relevant research in the engineering of genome editing technology in plants, opposed to utilizing functional, but not ideal methods that are used in biomedical science.

Tags: #Genetics #Agriculture #CRISPR #TnpB #PlantScience #UCDavis #Biotech

Sources: 

https://biology.ucdavis.edu/news/pint-sized-gene-editor-could-expand-precision-breeding-plants#:~:text=However%2C%20TnpB%20is%20only%20around,manageable%20size%20for%20viral%20delivery  

https://www.nature.com/nplants/ 

 Scientists Find discovery of Genes That Shape People's Teeth.

Daniel Molinos

A study published in US News by Dennis Thompson Health Day Reporter. 

    Ever wondered why your teeth are shaped the way they are? Researchers identified 18 genes that influence tooth development, including 17 that had not previously been connected to dental traits. Researchers analyzed data from around 900 volunteers in Colombia, all of whom had a mix of European, Native American, and African ancestry, using 3D scans to measure tooth crowns and compare those measurements with people's genetics. Researchers also found a gene variant likely inherited from Neanderthals that came from interbreeding with early humans. This gene was mainly found in people of European ancestry and is associated with thinner incisors, which are the front teeth you use to bite into food. Researchers also discovered the gene EDAR, typically found in East Asian populations, which is known to influence tooth width. With that information, the study also showed that people of European ancestry tend to have smaller teeth overall. Researchers are still not sure if these genes were selected during evolution, but the findings help researchers gain a better understanding of human evolution. This research also has potential medical benefits, since some genes responsible for normal differences in tooth size can also contribute to dental problems. This research may help dentists use genetics to diagnose dental issues or potentially develop gene therapies to treat their patients. 

Source: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2024-12-17/scientists-identify-genes-that-shape-peoples-teeth

Another Source: Scientists Identify Genes That Shape People's Teeth

Genes Don’t Always Determine Disease: New Research on Genetic Blindness

               A recent genetics study suggests that some mutations that were previously believed to always cause blindness may not lead to disease in many individuals. Researchers analyzed genetic data from large population databases and discovered that certain mutations linked to inherited retinal diseases cause symptoms in far fewer people than scientists originally expected.

The study focused on genetic variants associated with inherited retinal disorders, which damage the retina and can eventually lead to vision loss. The retina is the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye that processes visual information. When the retina is damaged by genetic mutations, it can gradually lead to serious vision problems or blindness. In the past, scientists assumed that most people who carried these mutations would develop the disease. However, the study showed that only about 9% to 28% of individuals with these variants actually showed signs of retinal disease.

These findings highlight the complexity of genetics. Even when a person carries a mutation associated with a disease, it does not necessarily mean the disease will develop. Other genes or environmental factors may influence whether the condition appears. This concept is known as penetrance, which refers to the likelihood that a person with a certain genetic mutation will actually show symptoms.

This discovery is important because it changes how scientists and doctors think about genetic diseases. In the past, genetic testing sometimes suggested that certain mutations would almost always lead to disease. However, this research shows that the relationship between genes and disease is often more complicated than expected.

Understanding why some individuals remain healthy despite carrying these mutations could help researchers identify protective factors that prevent disease from developing. Learning more about these factors may lead to better treatments and improved genetic counseling for patients. Overall, this research helps scientists better understand how genetic mutations influence disease and may contribute to improved prevention and treatment of inherited eye disorders in the future.

Source: 

https://www.livescience.com/health/genetics/these-genes-were-thought-to-lead-to-blindness-100-percent-of-the-time-they-dont

Additional Link: 

https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/inheritance/penetranceexpressivity/

Lowered Cost of Protein Production, Thanks to AI.

  Researchers at the Michigan Institute of Technology found a way to using artificial intelligence to make the production of protein cheaper. The article explains the importance of industrial yeast and how it is the main contributor to the production of protein and how it is responsible for the manufacturing of vaccines. The AI tool observed the genetic code of a yeast and used that information to predict the best codons for manufacturing.  This AI tool showed to enhance the yeast's production of six different proteins. J. Christopher Love, Professor of Chemical Engineering at MIT, described predictive tools to be time efficient and save money.

Figure 1. K. phaffi is a type of yeast the model learned pattens of codon from in this project and it is important in the biopharmaceutical industry. 

    Technology is constantly evolving and scientists and researchers should take advantage of the possibilities that it brings. Using artificial intelligence in science could be scary because of potential errors, but this model bases its predictions off of observations of other genetic codes. This article mentioned that the model was trained in trastuzumab, which is an antibody used for cancer treatment. Using this model has the abilities lower costs of production of vaccines and other important compounds that are currently needed. If this research is able to save time on protein production, and ultimately help people, it should definitely be used. 

Source: 

https://news.mit.edu/2026/new-ai-model-could-cut-costs-developing-protein-drugs-0216 

Another source on this topic:

https://nationaltoday.com/us/ma/cambridge/news/2026/02/18/ai-model-may-slash-protein-drug-development-costs/

The Genetics of Height

 The Genetics of Height 

An article written by Molly McDonough explains how genetics have a significant impact on human height, a topic that has been debated for centuries. In the past, people believed height was determined by a single gene that simply ran in families. However, modern research has shown that height is actually a polygenic trait, meaning that many different genetic variations contribute to a person’s final height. Scientists have confirmed that approximately 90% of height variation is due to genetic factors, while environmental influences such as nutrition play a smaller, though still important, role. This research demonstrates how powerful DNA patterns are in shaping physical development.

 Understanding that height is influenced by hundreds or even thousands of genetic variants highlights the complexity of inheritance. Additionally, genes influence more than just height they also play a major role in health outcomes and disease risk. Studying these genetic patterns helps researchers better understand human development and can i

McDonough, M. (2025, August 13). The Genetics of Height. Harvard.edu. https://magazine.hms.harvard.edu/articles/genetics-height

MedlinePlus. (2022, July 8). Is height determined by genetics? Medlineplus.gov. https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/traits/height/