Discovery of Mouse Genes Related to Heart Rate and Blood Pressure

In a recent study examining blood pressure and heart rate, researchers may have identified a genetic component.

It is a well known fact that both resting heart rate and blood pressure both have a significant effect on cardiovascular health. Unfortunately, while both factors have a relatively high heritability, the genes influencing their rates are difficult to locate. The key? ENU germline mutagenesis.

In this study, researchers utilized N-ethyl-N-nitrosurea (ENU) mutagenesis to create rapid mutations in the reproductive cells of mice. This was paired with meiotic mapping to find loci with genes that code for heart rate. After testing over 40,000 mice, 87 systolic blood pressure genes and 144 HR genes were found.

This research is important because of how deadly heart disease can be. By analyzing genes affecting heart rate and blood pressure in mice, medical researchers may get a better idea of preventative measures for human heart disease in the future.

Sources:

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adj9797

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10221322/

One Genetic Map Could Change How We Understand Mental Health

  

  A groundbreaking study published in Nature analyzed genetic data from over 6 million people to better understand how different mental health disorders are connected. Researchers found that conditions like depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, ADHD, and substance use disorders are not as separate as we once thought. Instead, they share underlying genetic patterns that group into five major clusters, such as neurodevelopmental disorders and internalizing disorders.

    This discovery helps explain why many individuals experience multiple mental health conditions at the same time. Rather than being completely distinct illnesses, these disorders may stem from shared biological pathways influenced by hundreds of genetic variants. The study even links certain disorders to specific brain cell types, offering deeper insight into how these conditions develop at a cellular level.

    What makes this research especially important is its potential to reshape how mental illness is diagnosed and treated. Currently, diagnoses are based mostly on symptoms, but this genetic approach could lead to a more accurate, biology-based system. In the future, treatments might target shared genetic mechanisms, helping multiple conditions at once instead of treating them separately.

    I found this study fascinating because it challenges the way we traditionally think about mental health. It shows that mental illness is far more interconnected and complex than simple labels suggest. This kind of research could reduce stigma and lead to more effective, personalized care, which feels especially important as mental health continues to impact so many people.

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

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

Genetic Components Linked to Neuropathy

In a recent study examining the causes of motor and sensory neuropathy, researchers have located a gene that has the potential to cause it. 

Neuropathy is a condition in which the peripheral nerves are damaged and can cause numbness and tingling, pain and weakness. This usually occurs in the outermost parts of the body but can also go up the individual's arms and legs. Due to this condition’s potential to severely limit mobility, neuropathy can be extremely debilitating and life altering.

In this study, researchers identified a missense mutation in a gene regulating nicotinamide phosphoribosyl transferase, an enzyme that regulates DNA repair and metabolic processes. Both in human individuals homozygous for the mutation and in mouse models, the missense mutation in the NAMPT gene disrupted metabolic processes and caused neuropathy. This study marks the first human neurological disease caused by a mutation in the NAMPT gene.

This research is very important because of how difficult it is to effectively treat neuropathy in many cases. By finding a genetic component to this disease, researchers in the medical field may also find new ways to treat it.

Sources:

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.adx2407

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28333140/

Could Cats lead us to a Deeper Understanding of Cancer

 A recent study found that the genes that cause cancer in cats are very similar to cancer causing genes in humans. Researchers analyzed tumors from 493 cats with multiple types of cancer. They discovered that many of the same mutations that cause cancer in cats cause cancer in humans. The study identified  cancer related genes such as TP53 and PIK3CA that appear in both humans and cats, showing that cancers in both species is developed in a similar manner. Due to the fact cats live in the same environments as humans, they are exposed to similar risk factors; which may help explain these similarities. Overall, the research suggests that studying cancer in cats could improve understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer in both animals and humans, potentially leading to more targeted therapies in the future.

https://www.avma.org/news/study-finds-similarities-genes-drive-cancer-cats-humans

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/cats-cancer-genes-show-striking-similarity-to-humans/

Extremophiles are Revolutionizing Biotechnology

Breakthroughs in CRISPR genome editing technology have completely transformed how scientists both engineer and study extremophiles. These advancements allow researchers to identify the genes associated with extremotolerance and to potentially edit strains for industrial use. Furthermore, the application of CRISPR technology to different extremophile types may allow for the future development of various extremophilic cells for synthetic biology applications.


Image 1: A tardigrade in moss from Science Photo Library

Extremophiles are microorganisms that can survive in harsh environments that were previously thought to be uninhabitable. By living in high heat, intense cold, dryness, high salinity, alkaline, pressurized, heavy metal, and radiation environments, these organisms have developed unique genetic and metabolic adaptations that enable their survival. The resilience of extremophiles makes them highly valuable in biotechnology, including the production of thermostable DNA polymerase, as well as in industrial processes such as biofuel production, and environmental applications like bioremediation. With advances in CRISPR-Cas, a genome editing technology that utilizes Cas enzymes to delete, add, or replace genetic material in living cells, it is possible to enhance or manipulate extremophilic genomes, allowing scientists to uncover the genes responsible for extremotolerance.

By using CRISPR in thermophiles, a heat-tolerant extremophile, scientists have developed a thermostable Cas variant. This can be used to revolutionize high-temperature industrial biotechnology and to innovate bioremediation in geothermal environments. Another example of CRISPR use includes its application to psychrophiles, a cold-tolerant extremophile, to expand the use of psychrophiles for cold-chain bioprocessing, enzyme production, or bioremediation in polar or deep-sea ecosystems.

Given the vast array of extremophiles, the future potential for genome editing technologies in extremophiles is very promising. As CRISPR technology advances, research into the genetic basis of extremotolerance can be conducted with more precision. Furthermore, the engineering of strains with enhanced production of industrial enzymes, biofuels, bioplastics, or even metal recovery efficiency under extreme conditions can be developed. Developments can also improve the effectiveness of bioremediation in harsh environments. The continued investment in developing these frameworks is crucial to the future potential of new applications and biotechnologies.



Source:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S305064172500029


Additional:

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1754802/full

Detecting Early-Onset Dementia Before Symptoms Begin

 

Carmine Martino

BIOL-2110-001

Dr. Guy Barbato

March 28th, 2026

    This article talks about research being done at UT Health San Antonio focused on early on-set dementia, which is a form of dementia that affects people under the age of 65. The researchers are working to better understand the causes of the disease while also working to develop new tools that can help detect it earlier on. 

    One of the main things the article mentions is the use of new diagnostic methods, including blood-based biomarkers and advanced imaging techniques. These tools are being studied as ways to identify signs of dementia long before a person actually starts showing symptoms. The idea is that if doctors can detect the dementia earlier, they can better understand how it develops and potentially improve how it is managed.

    The researchers are also focusing on the genetics side of early-onset dementia. The article explains that many cases of early-onset dementia are still sporadic, meaning the exact cause is unknown. Instead of one specific gene determining whether someone will get the disease, researchers believe that while genetics can increase risk, it may also be a mix of different factors like lifestyle and environmental influences on brain health. Nevertheless, scientists are still looking at genetic patterns to better understand the risks and how the disease develops. 

    While current diagnoses usually happen after symptoms begin, these new approaches aim to change that by identifying the disease much earlier. This could make a big difference in how patients are treated and how the disease is studied overtime.

    I personally liked this article because it shows how research is improving when it comes to diseases that are hard to understand. The idea that doctors might be able to detect dementia years before symptoms start is remarkable. Even though the exact causes are still not fully known, studies like this make it seem possible that in the future, there could be better treatments or even ways to prevent it altogether within the next few decades.

Article:

https://news.uthscsa.edu/researchers-explore-genetic-roots-new-diagnostic-tools-for-early-onset-dementia/

Extra Source:

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia#:~:text=Dementia%20is%20a%20general%20term,most%20common%20cause%20of%20dementia.

Research Uncovers 36 Genes Linked to Bipolar Disorder

Research Uncovers 36 Genes Linked to Bipolar Disorder

    A worldwide study, funded by NIH, on Bipolar disorder discovered around 300 gene locations and 36 unique genes that are most likely linked to the disorder.

This study was led by researchers in the Bipolar Disorder Working Group of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium, in which they studied around 158,000 people with bipolar disorder and around 3 million people who did not have this disorder. 

The participants were from European, East Asian, African American, and Latino ancestries, making this a diverse research study (NIH, 2025). The hope of this study was to figure out the range of genes involved with bipolar disorder and how each gene differs from each subtype of the disorder. These findings may help with personalized treatments to improve the lives of people with bipolar disorder. 

This identification of the 36 unique genes is four times the number of the previously known genes. They also connected these genes to schizophrenia and depression, which can correlate these disorders biologically. Along with the new gene locations and the 36 unique genes, the researchers also discovered differences in the genetic architecture across bipolar disorder subtypes. 

This diagram shows the shared and unique genetic variants linked to bipolar disorder and related traits. Larger circles represent traits influenced by more genes, while overlaps (in grey) show shared genetic factors. Results also include comparisons between bipolar I (BDI) and bipolar II (BDII), though these should be interpreted cautiously due to model limits (O’Connell et al., 2025).

    

    I find that disorders that have a huge impact on a person's life are very important to research. Especially with bipolar disorder, because it is common. This study was huge in understanding the origins and genetic makeup of the different subtypes of bipolar disorder. This article also brings out the fact that genetics plays a huge role in the advancement of personalized treatments. 

References

NIH. (2025, March 4). Study Illuminates the Genetic Architecture of Bipolar Disorder. National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH). https://www.nimh.nih.gov/news/science-updates/2025/study-illuminates-the-genetic-architecture-of-bipolar-disorder 

O’Connell, K. S., Koromina, M., van, Boltz, T., David, F. S., Jessica, Y., Lin, K.-H., Wang, X., Jonathan, C., Mitchell, B. L., McGrouther, C. C., Rangan, A. V., Lind, P. A., Koch, E., Harder, A., Parker, N., Bendl, J., Adorjan, K., Agerbo, E., & Albani, D. (2025). Genomics yields biological and phenotypic insights into bipolar disorder. Nature, 639, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08468-9

  

More Magic Mushrooms?

 

More Magic Mushrooms?

Kylee French

BIOL-2110-001 - GENETICS Professor Guy F. Barbato October 20, 2025

    Psilocybin is a psychedelic drug that is produced in mushrooms, and there is no real need for mushrooms to produce this compound. Or is there? This trait was apparently so beneficial for mushrooms that it evolved in two distantly related types of mushrooms. One part that shows these mushrooms are distantly related is their different lifestyles. Psilocybe mushrooms thrive on decaying material such as decomposing organic matter or cow dung. Inocybe mushrooms are symbiotic organisms that form intimate, mutually beneficial relationships with trees. The article "How Psychedelic Mushrooms Evolved Their Magic", explains how these two separate groups of mushrooms independently evolved the ability to produce psilocybin, a powerful psychedelic compound. Surprisingly, they use completely different genetic and biochemical pathways to create the same molecule, demonstrating nature’s multiple solutions to the same problem. The article quotes the process by stating, "Psilocybe and Inocybe both use the same amino acid starting point to produce psilocybin. But from there, the mushrooms follow separate road maps of genes and enzymes. Midway through, they meet at an intermediate molecular point before parting ways once again — only to converge on a shared end product" (Nuwer, 2025). This study not only provides insight into fungal evolution but also opens new possibilities for synthesizing psilocybin for research and therapeutic purposes.

    In addition, I find this article revolutionary because it shifts our perspective on psilocybin. While we often think of it simply as a psychedelic drug, the research shows it can now be studied through genetics for its potential benefits. Interestingly, in 1958, Albert Hofmann, the Swiss chemist who discovered LSD, became the first researcher to isolate psilocybin from Psilocybe mushrooms, even though at the time it was primarily used as a drug rather than for scientific study. Now that we know the compound is produced independently by two separate mushroom species, it suggests that psilocybin serves an important biological function. This discovery also points to possible new methods for synthesizing psilocybin, which could greatly expand our knowledge of its effects on the brain, its potential therapeutic uses, and how genetic pathways create bioactive compounds.

References

Nuwer, R. (2025, October 18). How Psychedelic Mushrooms Evolved Their Magic. New York Times. Retrieved October 20, 2025, from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/18/science/how-psychedelic-mushrooms-evolved-their-magic.html

KJ's Miracle battle with CPS1

                                    

 

                                 KJ's Miracle battle with CPS1

Kylee French

BIOL-2110-001 - GENETICS

Professor Guy F. Barbato

October 16, 2025

        When ammonia builds up in the bloodstream, it can be fatal for people of all ages. One rare genetic disorder that causes an excess of ammonia to accumulate, sometimes reaching the brain, is CPS1 deficiency. This condition affects about one in 1.3 million babies and often leads to death or severe developmental delays. One special case, that could now result in saving many lives, was a boy named KJ.        

         An article I read by Gina Kolata expresses KJ's story in grand detail. From the New York Times this article was called "Baby Is Healed With World’s First Personalized Gene-Editing Treatment." This article shows how far genetics has come, for scientists were able to identify KJ’s exact DNA mutation and create a CRISPR vaccine just for him. It’s incredible how gene editing can target a single letter in someone’s DNA and correct the error that caused their illness. I think it’s amazing that scientists were able to develop a brand-new treatment so quickly, but it also makes me wonder how something this big can happen so suddenly. It feels strange that a cure for such a serious condition could come together in what seems like just a few months, but it really shows how unpredictable and fast-moving the science world can be.

        The process of creating KJ’s treatment was careful and intense. Normally, developing a new genetic therapy takes years, but as one researcher said, “David Liu of Harvard, whose lab invented the gene-editing method used to fix KJ’s mutation, said the speed was “astounding.” These steps traditionally take the better part of a decade, if not longer” (Kolata, 2025). This quote stood out to me because it shows how unusual and fast this discovery really was. Once the gene-editing solution was approved by the F.D.A., the team moved quickly, even though they weren’t sure if it would work. I also wanted to see while reading this article what one of the main focuses of solving this research was. I found another article going more n depth about the research the scientists did for KJ and a quote from the article, "World's First Patient Treated with Personalized CRISPR Gene Editing Therapy at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia" shares some main points. "Ahrens-Nicklas and Musunuru decided to focus on urea cycle disorders. During the normal breakdown of proteins in the body, ammonia is naturally produced. Typically, our bodies know to convert the ammonia to urea and then excrete that urea through urination. However, a child with a urea cycle disorder lacks an enzyme in the liver needed to convert ammonia to urea" (Chop EDU 2025). Years of research has gone into this one treatment for KJ and it has been such a breakthrough for genetics.

        While it is still too early to know if KJ will be completely free of medication or avoid a liver transplant, his condition has improved dramatically. This case highlights the incredible power of genetics to target and correct specific DNA mutations, and it demonstrates how decades of basic research and federal funding made this breakthrough possible. KJ’s story not only represents a medical milestone but also shows how genetics can transform lives.

                                                                          References

Chop EDU (2025, May 15). World's First Patient Treated with Personalized CRISPR Gene Editing Therapy at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. Retrieved October 16, 2025, from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/15/health/gene-editing-personalized-rare-disorders.html?searchResultPosition=1

Kolata, G. (2025, May 15). Baby Is Healed With World’s First Personalized Gene-Editing Treatment. New York Times. Retrieved October 16, 2025, from https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/15/health/gene-editing-personalized-rare-disorders.html?searchResultPosition=1 

        

The Collaborative Study on the Genetics of Alcoholism: Overview

This article covers a large and diverse study of Alcohol use disorder (AUD). This study includes data on over 17,000 individuals that are affected by AUD. Families were chosen for this study that had at least 3 affected individuals in order to focus on familial risk. Data collected from individuals in this study include brain function, psychiatric diagnosis, brain behavior, and genomes. This database has been developing for decades and the data collected has been used to study the cellular levels of underlying AUD. This article emphasizes the importance of finding the risk as well as the resilience to AUD over an individuals life. 

One essential part of this article and study as a whole is that this data is available to other databases. The availability of this data allows others to incorporate, add to, and further investigate the impacts of AUD. This is extremely important as it opens up a promising future to the study of AUD which could lead to new avenues of prevention and intervention.

Links:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/gbb.12864

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/3909-alcoholism

New DNA Storage Method Inspired By Jurassic Park

DNA is at the very heart of genetics and is the center of research and experimentation. Not all DNA can be used and analyzed right away and therefore must be stored. Researchers may simply want to store DNA so it can be used again in the future or even store it for preservation. DNA degrades over time, but that level of chemical degradation depends on various factors like type of DNA, temperature of storage, intended use, and length of time. In the most common form of storage in liquid nitrogen, DNA can last for decades. This method costs a lot for the constant need for cooling and energy consumption and upkeep of the researchers. Constant thawing and freezing can sometimes affect the life cycle of DNA but if it is kept at a relatively low temp it is no problem.

A solution for DNA storage recently came about after researchers developed a new form of storage inspired by the movie “Jurassic Park.” The researchers developed a glassy, amber-like polymer which is intended to be used in the long term storage of DNA, such as entire genomes or digital files like pictures. Unlike traditional methods of storing DNA, like using ultra-low temperatures, these polymers do not require freezing temperatures which require a large amount of energy consumption and are difficult to have in all parts of the world. The polymers can be stored at room temperature and still provide the same longevity and enhanced protection compared to its liquid nitrogen counterpart. The researchers have proven the ability to store an entire human genome, the Jurassic Park theme song encoded in DNA, and its ability to withstand 75 degrees Celsius. They are nearly complete in their process of making the polymer storage mainstream but need a method of streamlining the process of making capsules for the storage. 

This is groundbreaking because the DNA storage method has consistently been in the use of expensive liquid nitrogen storage. As mentioned above, that storage is expensive, difficult to maintain and not possible all over the world, and also requires a careful process to ensure optimum temperatures at all times. The new process could be great in the research field and especially in places where traditional storage methods are difficult to implement and maintain. The amount of research worldwide could skyrocket if more laboratories have access to efficient storage.

Links:

https://news.mit.edu/2024/scientists-preserve-dna-amber-polymer-0613

https://www.news-medical.net/life-sciences/How-to-Store-DNA.aspx

Why are Labrador Retrievers always hungry?

Why are Labrador Retrievers always hungry? 

A group of researchers wanted to get a deeper understanding of canine obesity. One breed that always seems to be overweight is the Labrador Retriever. Many owners of this breed say that it does not seem like their dogs ever get full. After conducting a study, it was found that in some Labrador Retrievers and other flat coat breeds similar, there is a gene variation called POMC. One of the responsibilities of this gene is to act as  that "off" button and to not eat anymore. All of the dogs that were used in this experiment did not have the POMC deletion. However, a majority of the labs that were tested did have this mutation. Researchers also noticed that POMC deletion was associated with a 2 kg weight increase. A dog with this mutation would have a harder time of staying slim. They are using this information about canine obesity as a transition into human health. 

Link: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160503130342.htm

Second Link: https://www.cell.com/cell-metabolism/fulltext/S1550-4131(16)30163-2?_returnURL=https%3A%2F%2Flinkinghub.elsevier.com%2Fretrieve%2Fpii%2FS1550413116301632%3Fshowall%3Dtrue

Scientists Pinpoint a Gene that is Linked to Left-Handedness

Scientists have officially found four spots in our DNA that are associated in determine whether we write with our right and left hand. Of the four gene regions, three of them deal with proteins involved in brain development and structure. This was deduced from a study of genetics analysis across 400,00 people in the United Kingdom. Of these 400,000, 38,000 of these people were left handed. This study also found that these people that were left handed communicated between the language regions of their right and left brain more efficiently than those in the study that are right handed. This means that they have some sort of "advantage" in verbal tasks. Also, various studies of twins show that genes account for 25% of the variation in left or right handedness. Another study found that the link between left handedness and their respective genetic regions also deal with Parkinson's disease and and schizophrenia. Left handed individuals have a slightly reduced risk of Parkinson's disease, but also have a slightly increase risk for schizophrenia. I think this is a remarkable discovery and is a surprise to me, considering that I believed right or left handedness was simply based upon which hand your parents helped to teach you to write with, or whichever had you took and immediate preference to.

Original Article: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2019-09-05/scientists-id-genes-tied-to-left-handedness
Supporting Article: https://geneticliteracyproject.org/2016/08/29/left-handedness-genes-and-a-matter-of-chance/

Prion Disease

Prion diseases are complicated and often fatal illnesses. This specific prion disease is known as kuru, or the cannibalism disorder. Although extremely rare, it is devastating, and resistance may be attainable. People with a mutation on codon 129 of the prion protein seem to be less susceptible to prion diseases if they have one or two copies. When tested on mice, it was found that a different codon, codon 127, made mice completely resistant when it was mutated. The research shows the reason behind this is because the mutation on codon 127 prevents the prion protein from becoming misshapen, which is what causes the disease.
Researchers are currently working on determining the structure of the mutated protein, and trying to use it as a defence in other diseases. I hope it is successful.



original link: https://www.nature.com/news/genetic-mutation-blocks-prion-disease-1.17725
related link: https://www.nature.com/articles/gim201032

Vitamin A and Brain Response

Researchers have been trying to find a link between and photoperiodism in animals, by studying monarch butterflies. According to the article, there is genetic evidence that not only is the photoperiod clock real but that it regulates a Vitamin A pathway necessary for seasonal responses. So far, the group working on this have been able to locate and alter key biological clock genes within the genome. However there are some difficulties, including the fact that vitamin A is important in visual function, so they have to do extra work to show that the lack of visuals are not responsible for lack of response.

In the article, they talked about how this research could provide information on seasonal ailments in humans like seasonal depression. I have several friends with seasonal depression and I would love it if there could be more information on it. This research seems very interesting, and there seems to be a lot they can do with it. I will be keeping an eye out to know more on what they find.


Article: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191206114559.htm
Related Article: https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/photoperiodism

Hiding Bacteria

Researchers found that the bacteria Group A Streptococcus has the ability to attach itself to red blood cells to hide from immune cells. Using nanotechnology, the team was able to track the bacteria and and its secreted protein s (named such because it is only made by the Streptococcus genus). Further analysis showed that S made the bacteria more deadly and harder to kill in the mice it affected. They are going to study it further to see if the information can help them combat other types of Streptococcus and more importantly lead to a vaccine.
This is an amazing discovery! This bacteria has a hand in many diseases and if someone can figure out how it is so effective many people can be saved a year. I would love to read more about what they find because of this protein.

Article: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/12/191203114506.htm
Related Article: https://nccid.ca/debrief/group-a-streptococcus/

The study of human heredity got its start in insane asylums

Article: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/study-human-heredity-got-its-start-insane-asylums
Relating Article: https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-05313-8




King George III's descent into madness sparked efforts to untangle the inheritance of mental illness by analyzing patient records at insane asylums as depicted in the above photo representing London's Bethiem Hospital in 1735.
The study of heredity emerged as an international endevour to mine data for associations to explain mental illness. It started with good intentions. Many asylum founders of the late 18th and early 19th centuries hoped to cure people of mental illness through a humane, psychosocial "moral therapy". At first, asylums claimed absurdly high 'cure' rates. Reports of 50% were routine. However by the mid-nineteenth century, asylum directors realized that they could simply say that although a cure seems distant, statistical patterns discovered in ever-larger study populations will one day reveal a cause, and a cure will follow. People bought it and asylum science grew. Eventually, having eliminating previous known causes for mental illness, scientist fixed on the patients' pedigrees. They promised to find more data and genes for diseases. After the 1927 Supreme Court decision Buck v. bell, the US programs forced sterilization on tens of thousands of people deemed mentally deficient. They launched their wider programs by gathering more than 10,000 people from asylums all over southern Germany.


This was a very interesting article to have read. These connections made so early on in history paved the way for future research. These connections are roots to today's genomics industry the tree. In the article it states that some will reject this idea, however the author of this article suspects that there is well-documented evidence to prove this making it difficult to dismiss.

Cure for the Common Cold?

A protein that is inside of humans is used by many viruses to replicate. In research on mice and human cells where this protein is lacking, viruses could not replicate. Researchers at Stanford University used CRISPER to deleted chunks of DNA, each missing a gene, so they can no longer make a specific protein. These chunks of genes were infected with viruses and studied to determine which proteins were interacting with viral proteins. The one protein that repeatedly interacted was SETD3, which was previously known as an actin protein helping muscles contract. Engineered Mice and human lung cells made to lack the SETD3 gene did not get sick when infected with viruses. To further surprise, this gene could also affect getting sick from diseases other than the common cold. With this new knowledge drugs can be synthesised to block the human protein and the viral from interacting, but complicated targeted treatments like this are not going to be available for prescriptions any time soon. Even so, it is always nice to know the expansion of science is working to make life better for those who are sick. I hope some form of treatment becomes available, and they are able to find cures for as many viruses that respond to the SETD3 protein as possible.

original link: https://www.sciencenews.org/article/common-cold-virus-disable-protein
related link: https://www.contagionlive.com/news/disabling-setd3-gene-could-halt-viral-infections

Malaria Breakthrough

Article: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/11/191114115920.htm
Related Article: https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/malaria/index.html

Malaria is a disease that despite the many people working on it, still affects more than 400,000 people. It is transmitted through mosquitoes who are infected with a parasite, and can be found in a variety of areas.

Researchers have carried out a study where they took the genome of the malaria parasite Plasmodium, and deleted parts of it to see what it would do to the parasite's life cycle. They used this on 1300 different genes. The results of this was analyzed to find metabolic pathways for the parasite, allowing them to make predictions on which genes are important for malaria control.

I think this is impressive, they put in a lot of work to target 1300 genes, I would be very interested in hearing about what they do with the information they received from this experiment. Likely, they will be able to find use for this information within the next few years.

Gene that results in uncombable hair?

3 Genes are resulting in kids having "uncombable hair syndrome

The name "uncombable hair syndrome" is in fact its official name. This is when individuals (in most cases children) have frizzy, tangles hair and is pretty much nearly impossible to get a brush through, and it is extremely rare. Fortunately in most cases this occurs in children and is grown out of. Very few cases are permanent. What causes the hair to have so many tangles is the structure of the hair follicle and its shaft. In normal hair, the shaft appears to be completely smooth, whereas in someone with uncombable hair syndrome, the shaft appears to have rough ridged throughout. Scientists have concluded that the origin of this syndrome is genetic, due to the fact that there family members that express the same trait. This can be tracked using a pedigree. Though scientists knew that this was definitely a genetic factor, nobody could determine what gene was being mutated to cause this syndrome. That was until Regina Betz, a scientist who works for the Institute of Human Genetics at the University on Bonn in Germany decided to launch a study. She and her team of researchers gathered many affected kids from across Europe and sequenced their DNA along with individuals who are unaffected to compare the two. After analyzing them next to each other, the found that there are a total of three genes that contribute to having uncontrollable hair. Betz determined that a mutation on just one of these genes is enough to cause someones hair to become uncombable. Next Betz decided to conduct an experiment to determine why these mutations are resulting in a change in an individuals hair by growing cells with and without mutation. She found that the genes that contribute to someone possession strong hair tare the same genes that are creating a protein that forms messy clumps. To further the research, they tested the grown cells with the mutation on mice. The same result occurred in mice, mice with the mutated gene had hair that was not smooth, and normal mice possessed smooth hair.

Original Article: https://www.sciencenewsforstudents.org/article/scientists-find-genes-make-some-kids-hair-uncombable

Supporting Article: https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/5404/uncombable-hair-syndrome