The Genetics Behind Acne

 

    Acne vulgaris is often thought of as a simple teenage skin problem, but recent genetic research shows that it is actually a complex genetic condition influenced by multiple genes and environmental factors. Variations in specific genes contribute to inflammation, immune responses, and susceptibility to acne. Researchers describe acne as a polygenic disorder, meaning that many genes rather than a single mutation collectively influence whether someone develops acne and how severe it becomes. These genes mainly regulate inflammatory pathways and immune signaling in the skin. Certain genetic variants (called SNPs, or single nucleotide polymorphisms) can increase inflammatory signaling after bacteria like Cutibacterium acnes activate immune responses in hair follicles. This leads to redness, swelling, and lesion formation characteristic of acne. The study also highlights how genetic risk differs between populations. Variants associated with acne severity were found at different frequencies in Egyptian, Pakistani, Chinese, and European populations, showing that genetics and ancestry influence disease risk. Environmental factors such as hormones, stress, and diet interact with genetic predispositions, demonstrating a classic example of gene–environment interaction in human traits. Overall, this research changes how we view acne, not just as a cosmetic issue, but as a biologically complex condition shaped by genetics, immune regulation, and environmental influences.

This article demonstrates that acne is a polygenic trait, meaning multiple genes contribute small effects that together influence disease risk. Inflammatory cytokine genes such as IL-6 play a major role because genetic variants can increase immune responses that trigger acne lesions. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) help researchers identify genetic differences that explain why acne severity varies between individuals. The research shows how ancestry affects genetic associations, emphasizing the importance of studying diverse populations in genetics research. Acne provides a clear example of gene–environment interaction, where genetics sets susceptibility but environmental factors influence outcomes. Understanding genetic pathways involved in acne could eventually lead to personalized dermatology treatments tailored to a patient’s genetic makeup.

Source: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10473401/

Additional Information: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/traits/acne/ 

#Genetics #AcneResearch #PolygenicTraits #HumanGenetics #HealthScience

New Genetic Variant Linked to Higher Parkinson's Risk in People of African Descent

 

    Recently, researchers identified a genetic variant that appears to increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease in individuals of African descent. This is a variant that is not commonly seen in people of European or Asian ancestry. This finding comes from a large genetic analysis involving nearly 200,000 individuals of African ancestry, including participants from Nigeria and African‑American communities. The study found a specific variant in the GBA1 gene influencing how cells break down and recycle proteins that is more common among people with Parkinson’s in these populations. Unlike earlier research that focused mainly on populations of European descent, this study highlights the importance of diverse genetic research so that discoveries may benefit all populations. Understanding ancestry‑specific genetic risk factors could lead to better screening, prevention strategies, and eventually tailored treatments for Parkinson’s disease.

    The discovery highlights an ancestry‑specific genetic risk factor for Parkinson’s disease in people of African descent, demonstrating that genetic risk can vary significantly across populations. The variant is located in the GBA1 gene, which helps cells recycle proteins. People with one copy of this variant have about 50% higher risk of Parkinson’s, and those with two copies have even greater risk. Most genetic studies of Parkinson’s have historically focused on people of European ancestry, so this study helps correct that imbalance and expand scientific understanding. Researchers hope that identifying variants will eventually contribute to more personalized treatments or therapies that target specific biological pathways linked to Parkinson’s. This research highlights the value of global collaboration among scientists and genetic studies, focusing on diverse populations leads to discoveries that might otherwise be missed.

Source: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/gene-variant-found-linking-people-of-african-descent-to-higher-parkinsons-risk

Additional information: https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/index.php/news/2023/new-risk-factor-for-parkinsons-identified-among-people-african-descent

#Genetics #Parkinsons #HealthEquity #GBA1 #ScientificDiscovery 

Link between Maternal Genes and Miscarriages

  Link between Maternal Genes and Miscarriages

   Aneuploidy causes losses in the first trimester of pregnancy. This condition is more common in egg cells and is when cells have abnormal numbers of chromosomes. A study showed there was an association with SMC1B, which is a gene for a protein that holds chromosome pieces together. And another association with aneuploidy was found with C12orf39 that is responsible for controlling chromosome interaction during cell division. Aneuploidy is strongly related with a lower number of crossing over of chromosomes during the recombination stage. The study concluded that crossing over is important for making sure eggs have the correct amount of chromosomes.

    

Figure 1. A diagram showing the crossing over stage in Prophase I of meiosis that creates different combinations of chromosomes.

    Although this research might not be able to prevent pregnancy loss, it is a step in the right direction. Now scientists are able to know the starting point of miscarriages, and, with time, could potentially be used to provide mothers with predictions of risk. In order for the pregnancy to occur, the crossing over stage must ensure that the egg has the sufficient amount of chromosomes. These findings help humans know more about their anatomy to lead to better research.

This topic is very interesting. I know people who have had miscarriages so I am very curious about these findings. It does makes sense that genes that control chromosome interaction are related to aneuploidy since it occurs during crossing over. However, I would like to know why sometimes this crossing over implication occurs and if there will ever be prevention. Also, to what extent does the amount of error in recombination ensure a pregnancy loss will occur? There is still room for research and hopefully in the future, scientists will be able to prevent aneuploidy by being able to mediate recombination of chromosomes. 

Source:

https://www.livescience.com/health/fertility-pregnancy-birth/in-a-first-study-links-maternal-genes-to-risk-of-pregnancy-loss 

Another source specifically about crossing over:

https://www.genome.gov/genetics-glossary/Crossing-Over 

Brooke McMonagle

02/17/2026

Unlocking the Genetic Secrets of Bipolar Disorder

 

    A study published in Nature and highlighted by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) reveals one of the most detailed genetic portraits of bipolar disorder to date. By examining DNA from more than 158,000 people diagnosed with bipolar disorder and nearly 2.8 million control participants from diverse ancestral backgrounds, researchers identified almost 300 genetic regions linked to the condition, an increase of more than four times over previous studies. This has expanded scientific understanding of the genetic architecture behind the disorder and offers clues for future, more personalized treatments. 

This study is significant because it includes participants from multiple ancestries (European, East Asian, African American, and Latino), which helps make the genetic findings more inclusive to diverse populations. Researchers identified 36 specific genes most likely linked to bipolar disorder, many of which overlap with genes involved in other mental conditions like schizophrenia and depression, suggesting shared biological pathways. The study supports the idea that many genes each contribute a small amount to overall risk, rather than a single “bipolar gene” causing the illness. One of the next scientific challenges is understanding why bipolar disorder presents so differently from person to person and how different genetic combinations influence specific subtypes of the illness. The findings could eventually lead to personalized treatments by revealing biological mechanisms different for each subtype. The study reinforces broader scientific knowledge that genetics play a significant role in bipolar disorder, but it also interacts with environmental factors and life experiences, taking into account the factors of nature and nurture in psychiatric conditions. 

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-updates/2025/study-illuminates-the-genetic-architecture-of-bipolar-disorder
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bipolar_disorder

#Genetics #MentalHealth #BipolarDisorder #GWAS #ScienceNews

Can Genetics Predict How Long Youll Live?

 A recent  article published on ‘El País’ suggests that genetics plays a much bigger role in how long we live than scientists previously thought. Researchers reanalyzed data from twins and families and found that about 55% of lifespan differences can be explained by genetics, once deaths from accidents or outside causes are removed from the data. In the past, studies estimated that genes only accounted for about 20–25% of lifespan differences, so this finding is a big change from what was believed before.

The researchers explained that earlier studies did not separate biological aging from other causes of death, which made genetics seem less important than it really is. By focusing only on aging-related deaths, they were able to get a clearer picture of how much DNA affects lifespan. Even though genetics appears to have a strong influence, the study also shows that environment and lifestyle still matter a lot. Things like diet, exercise, stress, healthcare access, and living conditions still play a major role in how long and how well people live.

Overall, this research helps scientists better understand aging and could lead to new discoveries about genes linked to long life. It also reminds us that while we can’t change our genes, we can still make choices that improve our chances of living a healthier and longer life.

Sources: 

Nuño Domínguez. (2026, January 30). More than half of your lifespan is shaped by genetics. EL PAÍS English. https://english.elpais.com/science-tech/2026-01-30/more-than-half-of-your-lifespan-is-shaped-by-genetics.html

Joseph, A. (2026, January 29). Genes influence human lifespan far more than thought, new study suggests. STAT. https://www.statnews.com/2026/01/29/human-longevity-inherited-new-study-published-in-science/

Debunking Eugenics: What Genetics Actually Tells Us

    Eugenics has long tried to present itself as science, using genetic language to justify harmful ideas about human value and “fitness.” Historically, eugenic movements claimed that complex traits like intelligence, behavior, and morality were controlled by single genes and could be selectively bred to “improve” society. These claims led to forced sterilizations, discriminatory laws, and genocide. Modern genetics has since shown that these ideas were not grounded in evidence but in social prejudice, with early eugenicists misusing limited biological knowledge to legitimize inequality

.    

    Contemporary genetic research directly contradicts the core assumptions of eugenics. Most human traits are polygenic, meaning they are influenced by many genes, and are heavily shaped by environmental factors such as nutrition, education, and access to healthcare. The Human Genome Project demonstrated that humans are overwhelmingly genetically similar, with variation occurring gradually across populations rather than in discrete biological groups. There is no scientific basis for ranking individuals or populations by genetic “quality,” nor is there a single gene that determines intelligence, behavior, or worth.

    The persistence of eugenic thinking today reflects not scientific debate but the continued misuse of genetic information. When genetics is stripped of context, it can be twisted into arguments about superiority or exclusion, despite clear evidence to the contrary. In reality, the goal of genetics is understanding and improving health, not categorizing people by value. Science has decisively rejected eugenics by revealing human biology to be complex, interconnected, and incompatible with simplistic hierarchies. forgot to publish this, had it opened for a few days...

References

National Human Genome Research Institute. (n.d.). Eugenics and scientific racism. https://www.genome.gov/about-genomics/fact-sheets/Eugenics-and-Scientific-Racism

Tishkoff, S. A., & Kidd, K. K. (2004). Implications of biogeography of human populations for “race” and medicine. Nature Genetics, 36(11.Suppl), S21–S27. https://www.nature.com/articles/ng1438

Understanding the Vampire Squid

Zaneyah Hughes

Genetics

Dr. Barbato

15 Dec, 2025

Understanding the Vampire Squid

This article says the genome of the vampire was finally sequenced, and how that explains the evolution of cephalods. The vampire squid shows us a common ancestor between squids and octopus and has less recombinations than octopuses. In other words, this allows us to see earlier cephalopod evolution. This research, led by the University of Vienna, Austria also stresses how deep sea species have the ability to preserve ancestral traits.

 I think that this article is really cool beause them sequencing the vampire squid changed our understanding of the cephalod’s evolution. Being able to see that it has a lot less recombinations that the octopus allows scientists to draw a much more distinct line between squids and octopuses for modern day reasons and evolutionary purposes. Additionally, the fact that we wouldn’t have known any of this information since vampire squids are very hard to study makes this even more fascinating, and it makes me wonder how much more information there is that we don’t know simply because we can’t use “ideal model organisms” or is inaccessible for research purposes.

Source: https://www.livescience.com/animals/mollusks/scientists-finally-sequence-the-vampire-squids-huge-genome-revealing-secrets-of-the-living-fossil

Extra sources: https://www.sci.news/genetics/vampire-squid-genome-14383.html

Polar Bears Have the answer to Climate Change

Zaneyah Hughes

Genetics 

Dr. Barbato 

15 Dec 2025

Polar Bears Have the Answer To Climate Change

This article says that polar bears in a region of Greenland are showing DNA changes connected to rising temperatures, thanks to research from the University of East Anglia. This is significant since this marks the first connection between climate change and genetic change in wild mammals. Additionally, scientists discovered that gene activity related to things like metabolism, ageing, and heat stress increased in bears from warmer regions. This suggests that the polar bears are adapting to warmer regions, and thus adapting to climate change.

I like how the article shows that the way the scientists know this adaptation is occurring is through jumping genes, or segments of DNA that can move or jump to different locations within a genome. Additionally, I think its really cool how the polar bears are starting to rewrite their DNA as a survival mechanism since reducing the burning of fossil fuels doesn’t seem to be happening as urgently as wildlife needs it. Although this is a great adaption and its wonderful that the polar bears are able to developing a survival mechanism, we should still discourage the use of green emissions to try to save their habitat.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/dec/12/changes-to-polar-bear-dna-could-help-them-adapt-to-global-heating-study-finds

Extra Source: https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/polar-bears-rewiring-genetics-survive-warming-climate/6429583/