Tag Genetics
Gene therapy protects against motor neuron disease in rats
The gene therapy approach allowed the non-mutated gene to be expressed in neurons and better support the transportation of proteins, preventing disease. Read More
These jacks-of-all-trades are masters, too: Yeast study helps answer age-old biology question
Researchers mapped the genetic blueprints, appetites, and environments of more than 1,000 species of yeasts, building a family tree that illuminates how these single-celled fungi evolved over the past 400 million years. Read More
All creatures great and small: Sequencing the blue whale and Etruscan shrew genomes
Size doesn’t matter when it comes to genome sequencing in the animal kingdom, as a team of researchers at the Morgridge Institute for Research recently illustrated when assembling the sequences for two new reference genomes — one from the world’s largest mammal and one from one of the smallest. Read More
The eyes are a gateway to evolution… of daddy longlegs at least.
While some people may first associate daddy longlegs with well, their legs, researchers from the Department of Integrative Biology have been especially focused on the arachnids’ eyes and what they can tell us about their evolution. Read More
200-year-old DNA helps map tiny fly’s genetic course to new lands, modern times
The humble fruit fly is one of the most thoroughly studied animals on the planet and new insights continue to be revealed about the fly’s evolution thanks to centuries-old DNA. Read More
Remnant of cell division could be responsible for spreading cancer
The midbody’s involvement in cell signaling and stimulating cell proliferation has been investigated before, but UW researchers wanted to look inside the midbody remnants to learn more. Read More
Researchers are using monkey poop to learn how an endangered species chooses its mates
Using DNA extracted from fecal samples, researchers at UW–Madison and the University of Texas at Austin are better able to understand the reproductive patterns of the endangered northern muriqui. Read More
‘Super pest’ Colorado potato beetle has the genetic resources to sidestep our attacks
New research reveals how diversity within its genome has allowed the pest to quickly evolve resistance to nearly anything humans have thrown at it. Read More
Human genome editing requires difficult conversations between science and society
Researchers argue that such advanced technologies demand more robust and thoughtful public engagement if they are to be harnessed to benefit society without crossing ethical lines. Read More
Holocaust survivor, geneticist, patient advocate remembered for inspiring others
Renata Laxova focused on intellectual and developmental disabilities, prenatal diagnosis of birth defects, cancer genetics, and — above all — the relationships between medical professionals and patients. Read More
Gene-edited monkey embryos give researchers new way to study HIV cure
A gene that cured a man of HIV a decade ago has been successfully added to developing monkey embryos in an effort to study more potential treatments for the disease. Read More
Remembering Bella Sobah: ‘She was the greatness in all of us’
“She lived life to the fullest and did so unapologetically. It didn’t matter that she had spinal muscular atrophy. It didn’t matter that she was a Black woman in a society that didn’t fight for her. She was still going to fight for the life she deserved.” Read More
Combining mouse and human data uncovers new gene regulating cholesterol
Work by Brian Parks and collaborators provides a new target for understanding the genetic risk of high cholesterol, which is linked to heart disease. Read More
Cells carrying Parkinson’s mutation could lead to new model for studying disease
The edited cells are a step toward studying the degenerative neurological disorder in a primate model, which has proven elusive. Read More
New tool predicts three-dimensional organization of human chromosomes
The predictive tool is a boon for researchers studying how cells control the activity of genes, helping explain how cells achieve their key functions and how they go haywire, as happens in diseases such as cancer. Read More
Deepest look yet at brewer’s yeasts reveals the diversity harnessed by humans
A new trove of genomic data could allow researchers to develop novel features in fermented beverages, an industry worth hundreds of billions of dollars. Read More
UW–Madison geneticist named science ambassador to girls and young women
Ahna Skop, a professor, artist and advocate for underrepresented students, has been selected for an initiative to further women in science by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Read More
New campus center poised to push the boundaries of genetic science
Genomic research is at the forefront of modern biological investigation. UW–Madison’s strong status in this rapidly evolving field has led to creation of the Center for Genomic Science Innovation. Read More
Radiation-resistant E. coli evolved in the lab give view into DNA repair
Scientists in the University of Wisconsin–Madison Department of Biochemistry are blasting E. coli bacteria with ionizing radiation once a week to watch evolution happen in real time as the bacteria become radiation resistant. Read More
Genes behind lager yeast’s cold- and sugar-loving success revealed
Behind the world’s most popular alcoholic beverage is a yeast adapted to the cold. New research has shown how modern lager yeast adopted the cold-loving and sugar-hungry traits essential to their success. Read More