Discovery of Novel Genes Could Unlock Mystery of What Makes Us Uniquely Human

From Science Daily (September 2, 2009):
Discovery Of Novel Genes Could Unlock Mystery Of What Makes Us Uniquely Human


"they estimate there may be approximately 18 human-specific genes that have arisen from non-coding DNA during human evolution."

What we use to refer to as "junk DNA" (non-coding) actually may have a purpose after all in expressing traits. Researchers are unsure of the function of these new genes and corresponding proteins they code for, but they speculate that they are specific to humans.

posted by Brie

How Blending Inheritance Works:

Blending Inheritance?

Posted by Ashley M.

King Tut's death unwrapped!

"After conducting extensive DNA analysis on King Tutankhamen's remains, researchers believe they've uncovered details of his lineage, and found that he died of one of the world's most prevalent modern-day diseases: malaria." from AlJazeera



_Ashley T.

Brain Development in the Womb linked to Hug Avoidance

A study with mice shows that understanding the development of fragile x syndrome, may explain touch sensitivity in people with autism.

Read more here...

-India

Pentagon Looks to Breed Immortal ‘Synthetic Organisms,’ Molecular Kill-Switch Included

Read More http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2010/02/pentagon-looks-to-breed-immortal-synthetic-organisms-molecular-kill-switch-included/#ixzz0eyLlj5C0

posted by silas

Genes reveal 'biological ageing'

Quite a headline - fits in eerily well with our discussion in class about various ways the media portrays genetic findings as we compared headlines discussing aging and the p63 gene.

Here from the news today, the BBC reports on findings concerning the rates at which people age possibly detected on the genetic level:

"What our study suggests is that some people are genetically programmed to age at a faster rate"

Interesting to note the term "program" in relation to genetic information in the cell...

The article focuses on "telomeres" which are DNA sequences at the end of chromosomes. They are important enough that last year's Nobel Prize in Physiology was granted to Elizabeth Blackburn and colleagues because of their discoveries of telomeric function.

AY