ADVERTISEMENT
blue-gloved hands pipetting from test tube
What’s Next for Ancient DNA Studies After the Nobel?
The award highlights tremendous opportunities for aDNA as well as challenges related to rapid growth, equity, and misinformation.
What’s Next for Ancient DNA Studies After the Nobel?
What’s Next for Ancient DNA Studies After the Nobel?

The award highlights tremendous opportunities for aDNA as well as challenges related to rapid growth, equity, and misinformation.

The award highlights tremendous opportunities for aDNA as well as challenges related to rapid growth, equity, and misinformation.

genetic testing

multicolor DNA sequencing gel
Genetic Mutations Can Be Benign or Cancerous—a New Method to Differentiate Between Them Could Lead to Better Treatments
Ryan Layer, The Conversation | May 27, 2022 | 5 min read
Tumors contain thousands of genetic changes, but only a few are actually cancer-causing. A quicker way to identify these driver mutations could lead to more targeted cancer treatments.
Respected Medical Geneticist Sir Peter Harper Dies at 81
Catherine Offord | Feb 2, 2021 | 4 min read
The Cardiff University researcher was famous both for his work on genetic disorders and for his documentation of the history of his field.
A blood test tube with the label ‘cfDNA Screening–Test’, held in a hand wearing blue gloves.
The Basics and Applications of Cell-Free DNA 
Rebecca Roberts, PhD | 5 min read
Found circulating in peripheral blood, scientists use cell-free DNA (cfDNA) to assess genetic abnormalities, infections, cancer, transplant rejection, and cardiovascular disease.
Coronavirus’s Genetics Hint at its Cryptic Spread in Communities
Ashley Yeager | Mar 6, 2020 | 6 min read
Contact tracing and genetic testing reveal how SARS-CoV-2 circulated among individuals for weeks, especially in the US, before being detected.
an illustration of Toxoplasma gondii parasites infecting cells
Top Technical Advances of 2019
Shawna Williams | Dec 24, 2019 | 3 min read
From artificial intelligence to pluripotent stem cells, this year saw the publication of a bevy of intriguing new methods, as well as tweaks to existing protocols.
Accuracy of Genotyping Chips Called into Question
Grace Browne | Jul 24, 2019 | 4 min read
Chips used by some direct-to-consumer genetic testing firms display a false positive rate of upwards of 85 percent when screening for rare variants, a new study finds.  
crispr dna detection
Infographic: DNA Detection with a Chip
Ruth Williams | Jul 15, 2019 | 1 min read
Researchers combine CRISPR technology with a graphene transistor to create an electronic sensor for particular DNA sequences.
modus operandi
Digital DNA Detection
Ruth Williams | Jul 15, 2019 | 3 min read
A CRISPR-based electronic sensor flags target DNA sequences at high speed.
MyHeritage Launches Health-Related Genetic Test, Ignites Debate
Catherine Offord | Jul 9, 2019 | 8 min read
Its screen for selected variants of some disease-linked genes gives customers an incomplete picture of their risk—do they know?
Ultrasound of twins
Doctors Report World’s Second Case of “Semi-Identical” Twins
Catherine Offord | Feb 28, 2019 | 2 min read
The extremely rare event, thought to be caused by two sperm cells fertilizing the same egg simultaneously, was last reported in 2007.
Genes and Blues
Bob Grant | Oct 1, 2018 | 3 min read
Learning about your own genetic idiosyncrasies comes with complex emotions.
Opinion: Consumer DNA Testing Is Crossing into Unethical Territories
John D. Loike | Aug 16, 2018 | 4 min read
Data don’t support many direct-to-consumer products, from telomere assessments to bespoke diets based on genetic sequences.
MyHeritage Account Data Compromised in “Cybersecurity Incident”
Catherine Offord | Jun 6, 2018 | 2 min read
A security researcher found the email addresses and encrypted passwords of more than 92 million users of the genealogy site on a private server outside the company.
Companies to Help People Sell or Rent Out Their Health Data
Catherine Offord | Jun 5, 2018 | 2 min read
Luna DNA, Nebula Genomics, and other “bio-brokers” will allow customers to make money by granting access to their genetic and personal information for research purposes.
Genealogy Website Helped Crack Golden State Killer Case
Ashley Yeager | Apr 27, 2018 | 2 min read
DNA from a relative of the suspect submitted to the site GEDmatch gave investigators just enough information to identify him, but the process raises privacy concerns.
Estonia Offers Free Genetic Testing to Residents
Diana Kwon | Apr 13, 2018 | 1 min read
The nationwide experiment will initially include around 100,000 volunteers.
Genetic Screens Provide Clues About Prognosis, Risk of Second Cancer
Shawna Williams | Apr 1, 2018 | 5 min read
Mutations in the TP53 gene appear to influence the prognosis and likelihood of future cancers in pediatric leukemia patients.
Study Finds Inaccuracies in 40 Percent of DTC Genetic Testing Results
Shawna Williams | Mar 28, 2018 | 2 min read
An analysis of 49 patient samples finds high proportions of false positives and misinterpretation.
First Direct-to-Consumer BRCA Test Authorized by FDA
Kerry Grens | Mar 6, 2018 | 2 min read
The agency gave personal genomics company 23andMe the green light to screen samples for breast cancer–related genetic mutations.
ADVERTISEMENT