Gene Interactions to Cause Disease

A UCLA study indicates how human gene interactions increase disease risk with their surrounding environment, published in the American Journal of Human Genetics. In short, having more than one factor that contribute to the cause of the same disease will exceed the damage of independent factors. The interactions are important when considering genetic research

Reference: Science Daily

fMRIS Reveal how the Brain Handles Low-priority Ideas

When human beings process low-priority ideas, it moves to the area of the brain called "the default-mode network" where it will retain the information. The default-mode network relate to interpersonal interactions and social decision making, the brain's back burner. Recent research indicates that genetics plays a role in the back-burner setup. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) are used to map eight anatomically distinct regions within the network. A longer term goal is to evaluate whether other intrinsically connected networks are also under genetic control.

Reference: Science Daily

Transcription Factors Tells Difference between Chimps and Humans

A new study indicate broad differences in the gene activity of humans and chimpanzees, affecting nearly 1000 genes, even though humans and chimps share 97% of genes. Transcription factors are proteins that bind to specific regions of DNA to promote or repress the activity of many genes. A single transcription factor can spur the transcription of dozens of genes into messenger RNA. A small change in transcription factor expression can produce a large effect on overall gene expression differences between chimps and humans.

Reference: Science Daily

Penguin DNA Challenges Accuracy of Genetic Dating Techniques

Frozen DNA samples from penguins that died 44,000 years ago in Antarctica challenges the accuracy of traditional genetic aging measurements that underestimate the age of many specimens by several folds. Therefore, a biological specimen determined by traditional DNA testing can be two to six times older. DNA testing may be fundamentally flawed as a result of this discovery. The molecular clock rate is the key in determining the accuracy of genetic analysis.

Reference: Science Daily

Alternative Test To Detect DNA

Researchers in Singapore are reporting development of a new electronic "nanogap" sensor that is faster, less expensive, and more practical alternative to detect DNA. The traditional method, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), makes multiple copies of trace amounts of DNA, similar to a photocopier printing multiple copies of documents, in order to detect the genetic material more easily. However, this traditional approach is expensive and cumbersome. The "nanogap sensor" translates the presence of DNA into an electrical signal to be measured by a computer with the use of a micro-sized metal pair electrodes separated by a nanogap, 1/50,000 the width of a human hair, in combination with special chemical probes to capture tiny segments of DNA.

Reference: Science Daily

Discovery of Genes May Reveal Mystery of Human Uniqueness

Scientists made a crucial discovery of inactive genes that evolved in humans after branching off from other primates, and one step closer in finding what makes us unique. Recent evidence suggest that evolutionary processes can produce a functional protein coding gene from inactive DNA.

Reference: Science Daily

Longevity Gene

Researchers at the University of Missouri have taken a step towards increasing the level and quality of activity in elderly. The "longevity" gene is proven to energize mice during exercise and maybe applicable to humans in the future. It is more important to increase health span than a simple lifespan increase.

Reference:

University of Missouri-Columbia. "Living Longer And Happier." ScienceDaily 21 August 2009. 21 August 2009 .