Influence of Genetics on Bipolar Disorder

    This article discusses a study on individuals with bipolar disorder and individuals without bipolar disorder from various racial groups to determine the role genetics has on this disorder. To preface, bipolar disorder is a when a person experiences extreme mood shifts and episodes of depression. The results showed that about 300 gene locations and 6 different genes are linked to bipolar disorder. This study also lead researchers to notice the differences in the organization of genes of the people who have the disorder. The genes that are linked to bipolar disorder are associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia and depression. A lot is still unknown about this specific disorder but this research could potentially lead to more helpful or long term treatment opportunities.

Figure 1: Fictional art of a person's brain who has bipolar disorder

   As mentioned above, genes that are linked to bipolar disorder can also be related to the risk of other mental disorders. It is very interesting that people can only have one of the disorders and not experience all of them if the genes overlap. The cause of bipolar disorder is partially due to specific genes and their different architectures but also environmental factors do influence a person being diagnosed with bipolar disorder. There is not one specific gene or even cause that makes someone have bipolar disorder making the treatment difficult. Also, bipolar disorder varies within people. Hopefully with time and research, studies are able to understand why people have different experiences with the disorder. This study will help the production and creation of more personalized treatments to help individuals living with bipolar disorder. 

Reference: https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-updates/2025/study-illuminates-the-genetic-architecture-of-bipolar-disorder 

Additional link explaining bipolar disorder: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bipolar-disorder/symptoms-causes/syc-20355955

Brooke McMonagle

3/17/26

The Genetic Role of Ozempic and the Weight loss Benefits

 

    With the recent development of GLP-1 for weight loss growing across the nation the carrying success rates has raised question on genetic influences of results. Whole a large quantity of patients sees life-changing results there is still about 15% of patients who see no change. An eye-opening by Cleaveland Clinic in September of 2025, dove into the genetic factors that could explain why 15% of patients do not see results and genetic factors related to those statistics.

    Specifically, the study focused on the GLP1R gene, which is a gene that provides the receptor building blueprint in our bodies that correlate to the GLP-1 hormone. The study demonstrated that variation in the GLP1R gene directly impact how the receptors interact with the hormone/mediation. While genetic variation of the GLP1R gene is irreversible these finding still hold value as the knowledge can be used in precision medicine.

    Weight loss medication is expensive, especially if it is for cometic weight loss, which is rarely covered by insurance. These findings could allow patients to participate in a genetic test that could indicate the results they may see on the medication. With the implementation of GLP-1’s to a large percentage of individuals, knowing there are gentic influences on results is very crucial financially, mentally, and physically for patients and doctors.

Tags: #GLP-1 #GLP1Rgene #Genetics #Weightloss #Genevariations

Sources: 

https://dom-pubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dom.16612?af=R 

https://dom-pubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dom.16612?af=R

How Genetics Affect Your Running Ability

  How Genetics Affect Your Running Ability

By: Daniel Molinos

                                            

                                                A Study published by The Running Channel

A study from the University of Essex in England explains how genetics may play a role in determining how fast and how well someone can run. According to the study, fewer than 31 percent of people have a unique genetic combination that allows them to get the most out of their training efforts. One gene in particular, known as ACTN3, is associated with adaptability, speed, power, improved strength, and reduced risk of injury. Researchers found that all of the top performers in the study shared a variant of this gene.

The test was conducted on men and women between the ages of 20 and 40 and lasted for eight weeks. During the study, researchers used the Cooper Test, a method often used by the military to measure aerobic fitness. Participants were asked to run as far as possible in 12 minutes. After completing the training period, researchers observed that those who possessed the ACTN3 gene improved their performance by an average of 11.5 percent following the eight weeks of endurance training. Participants who lacked this specific gene showed little to no improvement, even though they followed the same training conditions as everyone else.

Now, is it all in the genes?

Dr. Chung explains that “this study supports the fact that genetics play a major part in athletic performance. Whether you are an elite competitor or training for a fun run, your DNA can make a real difference in how much you can push yourself.” However, he also emphasized that the absence of this gene is not an obstacle for aspiring runners. At the end of the day, what matters most is getting out, training, and staying active. Our genes may provide the starting line, but our effort, dedication, and consistency ultimately determine how we perform on the track. While DNA can influence how much we improve, it is still willpower and commitment to the sport that truly drive success.

Source: Study Finds New Link Between Genes and Running Ability - The Running Channel

Additional Source: Why you might be born to run

Effects of Chemotherapy on Normal Blood Cells

 Effects of Chemotherapy on Normal Blood Cells 

An article written by Emily Mitchell discusses the long-term effects of chemotherapy on normal blood cells. Researchers sequenced the genomes of blood cells from 23 individuals aged 3 to 80 who had previously been treated with chemotherapy. The results revealed significant long-term biological consequences of cytotoxic agents. 

Most participants had received a combination of drugs and were exposed to 21 different chemotherapy agents across the major drug classes. The study found that different chemotherapy drugs cause distinct types of DNA damage, each leaving its own mutational signature. The researchers also emphasized that these long-term genetic changes may increase the risk of secondary cancers. This research is important because it may help scientists develop safer chemotherapy treatments that reduce DNA damage in healthy cells while still effectively targeting cancer.

Mitchell, E., Pham, M. H., Clay, A., Sanghvi, R., Williams, N., Pietsch, S., Hsu, J. I., Jung, H., Vedi, A., Moody, S., Wang, J., Leonganmornlert, D., Spencer Chapman, M., Dunstone, E., Santarsieri, A., Cagan, A., Machado, H. E., Baxter, E. J., Follows, G., & Hodson, D. J. (2025). The long-term effects of chemotherapy on normal blood cells. Nature Genetics. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41588-025-02234-x

Bai, B., Ma, Y., Liu, D., Zhang, Y., Zhang, W., Shi, R., & Zhou, Q. (2024). DNA damage caused by chemotherapy has duality, and traditional Chinese medicine may be a better choice to reduce its toxicity. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2024.1483160

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/