Mapping Genetic Variance In Neurodegenerative Diseases

 

https://www.psu.edu/news/research/story/new-technique-maps-genetic-variants-driving-neurodegenerative-disease-risk 

https://www.insideprecisionmedicine.com/topics/translational-research/new-method-improves-mapping-of-neurodegenerative-disease-genetic-variants/ 

    Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine have invented a new tool to help map genetic variance in patients who suffer from neurodegenerative diseases.  This new tool  was named B.A.S.I.C. which stands for Bulk And Single cell eQTL Integration across Cell states.  The eQTL stands for Expression Quantitative Trait Loci which is a method that measures expression levels  of certain genes.  The BASIC system operates by analyzing both bulk tissue samples as well as single cell data.  The system is able to detect brain cells that conventional methods often miss.  One example of this is microglia cells in the brain that are responsible for regulating brain development.  The new BASIC system is able to detect these specialized cells and diagnose diseases when  they are not present.  The team at Penn State's Medical College  has already used this system to identify new genes that are linked to both Alzheimer's and ALS.  

Are Allergies Genetic?: Understanding the Role of DNA and Environment

 

        Allergies affect millions of people, but scientists are still working to understand what causes them. A recent article explores whether allergies are genetic and shows that the answer is more complex than a simple yes or no answer. Research suggests that both genetics and environmental factors play important roles in the development of allergies. Allergies occur when the immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless substance, such as pollen or certain foods, as a threat. This triggers an immune response that leads to symptoms like sneezing, rashes, or difficulty breathing.

        Studies show that genetics do contribute to allergy risk. For example, identical twins are much more likely to share similar allergies than fraternal twins, suggesting a strong genetic influence. Scientists have also identified specific genes, such as the FLG gene, that affect the skin’s protective barrier. Mutations in this gene can increase the likelihood of developing conditions like eczema and other allergic responses. However, genetics alone does not determine whether someone will develop allergies. Environmental factors such as early exposure to allergens, diet, antibiotic use, and even the body’s microbiome can influence how the immune system responds. This means that a person may inherit a higher risk of allergies but never actually develop them.

        This research is important because it highlights how genes and environment work together to influence health. Understanding these interactions could help scientists develop better prevention strategies, especially in early childhood. Overall, allergies are not caused by genetics alone, but by a combination of genetic susceptibility and environmental exposure.

Source: 

https://www.livescience.com/health/genetics/are-allergies-genetic

Additional Link: 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10353570/

Brain Circuit linked to Schizophrenia

    Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers found a potential cause for a common symptom that individuals with schizophrenia experience. People with schizophrenia exhibit a sense of lost reality often not knowing the difference between what is reality and what is fake. These researches proposed a possible cause for these experiences. A mutation in a gene impairs a function in the brain that updates thoughts based off of new information. A person with schizophrenia can take medication to target the mutation of the gene called grin2a to help with the brain circuit impairments. Researchers found that the most affected region of the brain was the mediodorsal thalamus. This region is responsible for decision making and control. Schizophrenia has a strong genetic component; the chances of having schizophrenia increase 1%-10% if a parent or sibling are affected. Many gene variants that are affected are in non-coding regions making it difficult for researchers to study. 

Figure 1. Graphic of the Symptoms of Schizophrenia

    This research provides evidence that can lead to medications to help combat this cognitive impairment. Schizophrenia is an interesting disorder because of the large genetic component. Scientists are discovering the reasoning behind these abnormal behaviors and thoughts which provide more insight on why affected individuals have these different beliefs. Hopefully with this new information, scientists find a way to correct the brain circuit that is responsible for updating the brain to believe new information so people with schizophrenia no longer hallucinate. 

Link: 

https://news.mit.edu/2026/brain-circuit-incorporates-new-information-may-be-linked-schizophrenia-0318

Additional link discussing schizophrenic hallucinations:

https://goodhealthpsych.com/blog/types-of-hallucinations-in-schizophrenia/

Designer Babies: Should We Be Concerned?

It has become possible through new techniques in genetics to make changes to human embryos that creates the concept of designer babies. This would involve altering certain characteristics such as intelligence or eye color before the baby is born. The reason this has become possible is that DNA can now be manipulated with greater precision, thanks to technology such as CRISPR.

This technology may help in the prevention of some genetic disorders; however, it also creates  significant ethical questions. Many researchers have expressed their doubts regarding this procedure since they consider it unsafe and unexplored. In addition, this may create discrimination due to economic differences among families.

The other concern that needs to be mentioned is that complicated traits such as intelligence have many genetic and environmental factors, making them hard to manipulate and control. Even though people think designing a baby is easy, it is actually difficult and complex. 

However, I do not think that such a form of genetic modification is necessary. Although it may be useful in the prevention of certain diseases, the use of genetic manipulation to select traits is controversial. This issue indicates the influence that genetics now has in society.

Source: https://scienceinsights.org/the-ethics-and-science-of-designer-babies-and-gene-editing/

Additional Source: https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/policy-issues/ethics

Tags: #DesignerBabies #Ethics #Genetics #CRISPR

Genetic With Educational Fields

 

A Nature Genetics study looked at whether our genes can influence what subjects we choose to study in school. The researchers studied over 460,000 people and found certain genetic differences that are linked to fields like science, health, or the humanities.

The study showed that genetics plays a small role in these choices, about 7%, but most of it is still influenced by things like your environment, family, and personal experiences. This means your DNA doesn’t decide your future, but it might affect your interests or strengths a little bit.

What makes this study interesting is that it focuses on what people choose to study, not just how long they stay in school. It suggests that genetics might influence personality traits or abilities that help guide career paths.

Overall, this study shows that both genetics and life experiences work together to shape our decisions. Even though genes play a role, people still have control over their choices and future.

Links: 

Genetic factors are associated with educational field choices | FinnGen. (2023). FinnGen. https://www.finngen.fi/en/genetic-factors-are-associated-educational-field-choices

Cheesman, R., Ville Anapaz, Alten, S. van, Abdel Abdellaoui, Porneso, R., Ebeltoft, J. C., Ziada Ayorech, Demange, P. A., Eilertsen, E. M., Fauske, A., Havdahl, A., Lahtinen, H., Lyngstad, T. H., Qin, Q., Ganna, A., & Eivind Ystrom. (2025). Genetic associations with educational fields. Nature Genetics. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-025-02391-z

Health Risks in Aging Men: Losing the Y Chromosome

    Over the past several years, scientists have assumed that the absence of the Y chromosome did not affect the overall health since it contains relatively few genes except those involved in male development. Recently, new research discovered that losing the Y chromosome is linked to serious health problems across the body like heart disease, Alzheimer’s, and even cancer, also, may contribute to a shorter lifespan in older men. Although the loss does not happen in every cell, it creates a mix of normal and affected cells in the body, a condition known as mosaicism. Once a cell loses the Y, all of its future copies also lack it. Over time, more cells can lose the Y chromosome, especially in older men. 

                                            

    

    While the Y chromosome may be small, it still plays an important role in regulating genes and supporting the immune system. When it is missing, the body may not function the same way. As a result, more health problems could quietly increase. In addition, many other factors such as smoking and exposure to harmful chemicals can speed up the loss of the chromosome and increase the risk of disease. 

    This research highlights that losing a key chromosome becomes more important for overall health, especially as people age.

Source:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2026/03/260319044711.htm

Additional Source:

https://theconversation.com/men-lose-their-y-chromosome-as-they-age-scientists-thought-it-didnt-matter-but-now-were-learning-more-275823

Toxin-Induced Changes in Gene Expression: New Findings in Zebrafish

 An RNA-sequencing investigation of zebrafish exposed to the environmental contaminant, Aroclor 1254.

Figure 1: Zebrafish, Danio rerio, are a common freshwater fish, frequently used in biomedical research for their rapid development, as an ethical alternative to mammals, and high genetic homology to humans.

    Aroclor 1254 is an environmental contaminant present in aquatic environments, made up of various PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), sourced from old shipwrecks, antifreeze, and plasticizers. Last year, a study from the University of North Texas determined that exposure to Aroclor 1254 in zebrafish embryos caused induced eye tremors in larvae. To further investigate this difference in gene expression, a group of geneticists from UC Riverside and the University of North Texas studied the molecular signaling pathways responsible for this impaired sensory system. 

    The updated study affirmed that, upon exposure to this environmental factor, an eye-tremor response was induced in 7ph Zebrafish. Specifically, at 173 micrograms per liter of this contaminant, impaired optokinetic responses and decreased eye diameter were observed in the fish. Specific doses of the contaminant were found to directly impact the species's equivalent to a Parkinson's signaling pathway. This presents further implications for humans, due to our 70% shared genome with Zebrafish. Long-term or early life exposure to pollutants could directly interfere with neurological development and function.

Sources:

Magnuson, Jason T., et al. “Aroclor 1254 Impairs Visual and Neurosensory Signaling Pathways Independent of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in Larval Zebrafish.” Aquatic Toxicology, vol. 291, 2026, p. 107695. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0166445X2500459X?via%3Dihub#sec0017 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). “New Research Identifies Impacts to Developing Zebrafish Exposed to Contaminants.” NOAA Office of Response and Restoration, 12 Mar. 2026. https://response.restoration.noaa.gov/new-research-identifies-impacts-developing-zebrafish-exposed-contaminants 

GMOs Are More Important Than People Think

  Links:

• https://www.usda.gov/topics/biotechnology
• https://www.fao.org/biotechnology/en/

Tag: GMOs

Commentary:

Genetic engineering in agriculture is used to improve crop yield and make plants more resistant to pests and diseases. This is important for keeping up with food demand as the population grows. It can also reduce the need for pesticides, which can be better for the environment. However, there are still concerns about long term health effects and environmental impact. Some people are also worried about large companies controlling genetically modified seeds. Even with the controversy, GMOs are a big part of modern agriculture and are not going away anytime soon.