Thursday, April 16, 2015

Thanks Dad

          Even though genes are thought to be inherited evenly from both your mom and dad, studies now showed a higher percentage of genes expressed are from the father.  Researchers ran tests with a group of mice that showed the highest diversity, making it more comparable to humans.  This study consisted of interbreeding 3 strains of to create 9 different offspring.  The offspring created were then measured on their level of gene expression of their tissues to examine how much was inherited by the mother/father mouse.  The final testing showed that 60% of the mouse's genes were inherited from the father.  The main feature examined in the mice was the father's impact on the offspring's brain.  Researchers believe that because humans share a common ancestor with these mice that this inheritance may be true in all mammals.
          With this new information known about a larger percentage of inheritance coming from the father's gene, scientist's may have an easier time with diagnoses.  If a mother has a bad mutation it will become less likely that it will be expressed.  But if a father's genes contain a mutation then it may allow scientists to predict diseases easier and have patients of certain diseases be treated with a better outcome.  If scientist can go further into this research and determine what genes from the father are most likely to be expressed then diagnosing a child may become easier.


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