DNA and Genes

Latest about Genetics

Neanderthal man at the human evolution exhibit at the Natural History Museum.

The mystery of the disappearing Neanderthal Y chromosome

By Emily Cooke published

Non-Africans carry around 2% Neanderthal DNA in their genomes — yet there's one chromosome where DNA from our ancient cousins is nowhere to be found.

Genetics
Illustration of a DNA double helix against a blue background. Two other helices can be seen blurred in the background

10 unexpected ways Neanderthal DNA affects our health

By Emily Cooke published

Around 2% of the genomes of modern Eurasians contains Neanderthal DNA. Here's how it affects our health.

Genetics
Illustration of an early modern man embracing a Neanderthal woman. They appear to be in a forest at night. The moonlight is shining through the trees just behind them

'More Neanderthal than human': How your health may depend on DNA from our long-lost ancestors

By Emily Cooke published

Neanderthals and humans mated millennia ago, and their legacy lives on in us today. Here's how.

Genetics
Image of a toddler girl sat with her mother on her left and her father on her right. They are all smiling at the camera. The mother is wearing a black-and-white polka dot top, the toddler is wearing a bright yellow top and the father is wearing a grey shirt.

Deaf baby can hear after 'mind-blowing' gene therapy treatment

By Emily Cooke published

Seven months after her treatment, the baby girl can now respond to her parents' voices without the aid of a cochlear implant.

Genetics
A photo shows two male doctors in surgery garb as one preps a long needle for a procedure. A patient is under a blue sheet on an operating table but can't be seen.

CRISPR can treat common form of inherited blindness, early data hint

By Sneha Khedkar published

In a small trial, some people with inherited vision loss experienced improvements in their sight after being treated with CRISPR.

Genetics
Nine members of a family are pictured sitting on a wooden platform with clothes hanging on a washing line above. Their smiling faces can be seen looking at the camera. Woodland can be seen in the background of the image on the right-hand side. The group appear to be sat in front of a building.

Papua New Guineans, genetically isolated for 50,000 years, carry Denisovan genes that help their immune system, study suggests

By Emily Cooke published

Genes inherited from Denisovans, extinct human relatives, may help Papua New Guineans in the lowlands fight off infection, while mutations to red blood cells may help highlanders live at altitude.

Genetics
illustration of a dna molecule with different nucleotides highlighted

PTSD tied to 95 'risk hotspots' in the genome

By Jennifer Zieba published

In a group effort, scientists from all over the world came together to create a detailed map of the genetic causes behind PTSD.

Genetics
young boy smiles at the camera wearing a plastic viking helmet

'You probably didn't inherit any DNA from Charlemagne': What it means when your DNA 'matches' a historic person's

By Harald Ringbauer, Shai Carmi published

A genetic match to an ancient person doesn't mean you're more related genealogically.

Genetics
a close up of a blacklegged tick on a blade of grass

Protein in human sweat may protect some people against Lyme disease

By Rebecca Sohn published

A mutant gene that produces proteins in sweat may raise some people's risk of Lyme disease, while the standard version of the gene may protect against infection.

Genetics
a large blue enzyme is shown interacting with a large purple DNA molecule and spitting out a red RNA molecule

Scientists just discovered a new way cells control their genes — it's called 'backtracking'

By Sahana Sitaraman published

Scientists have discovered that, when a DNA-reading enzyme moves backwards along a gene, it may do so to help control when the gene is turned on.

Genetics
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