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mutations, genetics & genomics

Scientists Edit Viable Human Embryos in U.S.
Kerry Grens | Jul 27, 2017 | 1 min read
The embryos, whose genes were altered by CRISPR, were not intended for implantation. 
Massive RNAi Screens Probe for Genes Important to Cancer
Kerry Grens | Jul 26, 2017 | 3 min read
Two freely available databases include data on hundreds of human cancer cell lines. 
Most of Human Genome Nonfunctional: Study
Kerry Grens | Jul 17, 2017 | 2 min read
An estimate derived from fertility rates concludes that at least 75 percent of our DNA has no critical utility.
First Genetic Screen of Pigs Using ENU
Ashley Yeager | Jul 14, 2017 | 3 min read
Using the mutagenic chemical N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea, researchers confirm the role of a gene in a piglet deformity and identify potential models for human diseases. 
234-Year-Old Tree Has Impressively Stable Genome
Jef Akst | Jun 20, 2017 | 1 min read
Genomic analysis of an oak tree that lived during Napoleon’s time supports the idea that plants somehow avoid the accumulation of mutations in their stem cells.
More than 18,000 Genomic Records from Cancer Patients Available
Kerry Grens | Jun 1, 2017 | 2 min read
The publicly available database found nearly a third of samples included mutations targeted by either approved drugs or therapies in clinical trials. 
Cell Lines Gain Cancer-Related Mutations
Kerry Grens | Apr 27, 2017 | 1 min read
A screen of human embryonic stem cell lines finds several that accumulated changes in the gene TP53, including aberrations commonly seen in cancer.
Mutation vs. Mutation
Kerry Grens | Nov 3, 2016 | 1 min read
Yeast study finds many instances—often among related genes—in which a mutation in one gene cancels the negative effects of a mutation in another.
Largest Human Genetic Variation Repository Yet
Anna Azvolinsky | Aug 17, 2016 | 4 min read
An open-access catalog of tens of thousands of human exome sequences highlights the power of a very large genomic dataset in pinpointing genes linked to rare diseases. 
Genetic Resilience
Tanya Lewis | Apr 11, 2016 | 3 min read
An analysis of the genomes of nearly 600,000 healthy individuals reveals a handful of people who appear resistant to certain genetic disorders.
A Tree Takes Root
Ashley P. Taylor | Apr 1, 2016 | 4 min read
Four apparently unrelated individuals share a common ancestor from whom they inherited a rare mutation that predisposed them to the cancer they share.
Pulling It All Together
Kate Yandell | Apr 1, 2016 | 9 min read
Systems-biology approaches offer new strategies for finding hard-to-identify drug targets for cancer.
Mutations Not Tied to Metastasis
Kerry Grens | Feb 25, 2016 | 3 min read
Clinical cases link immune changes to a cancer’s spread through the body, but find no role for so-called “driver” mutations.
Domesticationā€™s Downsides for Dogs
Ashley P. Taylor | Dec 21, 2015 | 3 min read
The selection of traits suitable for human companionship may have dragged along some unfavorable alleles.
Building Bigger Beefsteaks
Tracy Vence | Aug 1, 2015 | 4 min read
Understanding the genetics of stem cell population maintenance in plants producing jumbo tomatoes could help scientists generate more-massive fruits.
Mosaic Mutations May Not Be Rare
Anna Azvolinsky | Jun 5, 2015 | 3 min read
Somatic mosaicism may be responsible for a larger proportion of genomic variability within humans than previously thought.
Cancer Sequencing Controls
Ruth Williams | Apr 15, 2015 | 3 min read
Comparing a patient’s tumor DNA sequence with that of her normal tissue can improve researchers’ identification of disease-associated mutations.
Potentially Harmful Stowaways
Tracy Vence | Apr 8, 2015 | 1 min read
Researchers report an estimate of the average number of recessive lethal mutations people carry.
The Challenges of Precision
Adam Marcus | Apr 1, 2015 | 3 min read
Researchers face roadblocks to treating an individual patient’s cancer as a unique disease.
Genome Nation
Kerry Grens | Mar 27, 2015 | 1 min read
Researchers perform whole-genome sequencing on roughly 1 percent of the Icelandic population.
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