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Ken Paigen
Former Jackson Lab Director Ken Paigen Dies
The geneticist’s long career included leading the laboratory’s recovery from a devastating 1989 fire.
Former Jackson Lab Director Ken Paigen Dies
Former Jackson Lab Director Ken Paigen Dies

The geneticist’s long career included leading the laboratory’s recovery from a devastating 1989 fire.

The geneticist’s long career included leading the laboratory’s recovery from a devastating 1989 fire.

genetics & genomics

crispr-cas9 duplications off-target effects insertions knock-ins
CRISPR Can Create Unwanted Duplications During Knock-ins
Katarina Zimmer | Feb 19, 2020 | 5 min read
A new study in mice documents frequent undesirable repeats of DNA insertions that are not detected using standard PCR analysis.
a readout showing genetic sequences
Remnants of Extinct Hominin Species Found in West African Genomes
Shawna Williams | Feb 13, 2020 | 2 min read
A study points to the existence of an ancient human relative that interbred with Homo sapiens.
Philip Leder, Who Deciphered Amino Acid Sequences, Dies
Ashley Yeager | Feb 12, 2020 | 4 min read
The Harvard Medical School researcher’s work on the genetic basis of protein coding and production led him to make groundbreaking discoveries in immunology, molecular biology, and cancer genetics.
Scientists Compare Novel Coronavirus with SARS and MERS Viruses
Abby Olena, PhD | Feb 11, 2020 | 4 min read
Researchers find 380 amino acid substitutions between 2019-nCoV and severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-related coronaviruses.
CRISPR-Edited Cells for Cancer Therapy Safe in Humans: Trial
Ashley Yeager | Feb 6, 2020 | 3 min read
In the first clinical study of its kind in the US, researchers used CRISPR to modify CAR T cells to make them more potent against cancer, but the clinical benefits are unknown.
Most Comprehensive Analysis of Cancer Genomes to Date
Jef Akst | Feb 5, 2020 | 2 min read
An interrogation of the whole genomes of more than 2,600 cancers yields clues about the genetic drivers of malignancy, how tumors evolve, and more.
Inadequate Myelination of Neurons Tied to Autism: Study
Lisa Winter | Feb 4, 2020 | 2 min read
A mouse model of autism and postmortem brains of autistic individuals showed a lack of mature oligodendrocytes and less myelination than controls.
Image of the Day: Regenerating Worms
Amy Schleunes | Feb 3, 2020 | 1 min read
Planarian flatworms grow to double their normal size when scientists inhibit a gene that suppresses growth.
Engineered Microbe in Bees’ Guts Fends off Deadly Varroa Mite
Lisa Winter | Jan 31, 2020 | 2 min read
The genetically modified bacteria spark an RNAi response in the parasite that leads to self-destruction—and perhaps a path to combatting colony collapse disorder.
Africans Have More Neanderthal DNA than Previously Thought
Jef Akst | Jan 30, 2020 | 4 min read
A new analysis of more than 2,500 human genomes indicates that modern Eurasians who acquired Neanderthal DNA during past interbreeding migrated back to Africa and spread those sequences.
Australian Lab Cultures New Coronavirus as Infections Climb
Jef Akst | Jan 29, 2020 | 2 min read
With more than 6,000 cases of the 2019-nCoV virus confirmed, researchers are hoping that studying the pathogen in the lab will help stop the outbreak.
Human Mutation Rates Steady Across Groups—Except in the Amish
Abby Olena, PhD | Jan 29, 2020 | 3 min read
Researchers determined that the incidence of new genetic mutations is comparable in people of different ancestries, but lower in Amish people.
coronavirus 2019-nCoV wuhan china pneumonia genome sequence
Scientists Scrutinize New Coronavirus Genome for Answers
Emma Yasinski | Jan 23, 2020 | 5 min read
Researchers are trying to figure out where it came from, whether it’s evolving, and just how big a threat it will be.
Ancient Human DNA Provides New Look at African History
Jef Akst | Jan 22, 2020 | 2 min read
Genomic information from four children who lived thousands of years ago in what is now Cameroon could shed light on the spread of the Bantu languages and on the history of present-day African populations.
Immunology Leader Vincenzo Cerundolo Dies
Ashley Yeager | Jan 16, 2020 | 2 min read
The Oxford researcher’s work on lipid and peptide antigens revealed key mechanisms in inflammation, immunotherapy, and vaccination, which are being pursued in clinical trial treatments.
Ten Minute Sabbatical
The Scientist | Jan 13, 2020 | 2 min read
Take a break from the bench to puzzle and peruse.
Inheriting Memories
The Scientist | Jan 13, 2020 | 1 min read
Tel Aviv University neuroscientist Oded Rechavi discusses his studies on the inheritance of acquired traits.
Switch Master: A Profile of Barbara Meyer
Diana Kwon | Jan 13, 2020 | 9 min read
Working with bacteriophages and nematodes, the University of California, Berkeley, molecular biologist uncovered a role for genetic switches in early development.
Oded Rechavi Studies the RNA Nematodes Pass to Their Offspring
Emily Makowski | Jan 13, 2020 | 3 min read
The Tel Aviv University researcher is interested in how the macromolecules affect the health and behavior of successive generations of worms.
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