Nuclei of female cells. The Xist molecules, which are responsible for the inactivation of the second X chromosome, are marked with a red dye. Copyright: MPI for Molecular Genetics / Verena Mutzel

Genetics

Socioeconomic inequality in children’s epigenetics

Children growing up in under-resourced families have epigenetic profiles associated with worse health more

A map to study the behavior of early pancreas cells

Dresden researchers connect imaging and genetic data to gain insights into the development of the pancreas more

Unlocking the secrets of cell antennas

The NSL complex is a key player in controlling intraciliary transport genes more

Increased efficiency, precision and reliability in DNA editing

New method brings breakthrough in the precise introduction of mutations in human genomes more

Decoding gene transcription is a team effort: Patrick Cramer (centre) with members of his laboratory.

Nothing works with incomprehensible code – not even a cell. Patrick Cramer is carrying out research on the enzyme that transcribes the DNA code to enable a protein to be synthesized from a gene. To do so, he relies on high-resolution microscopes and artificial intelligence. more

An artist’s representation of different start sites that open doors to entirely different worlds. Iimage generated by MPI-IE PR office through AI generation using midjourney  // Creative Commons Noncommercial 4.0 Attribution International

Max Planck research show that the site of transcription start often determines the site of transcription end more

Historical drawing of wave

How a single enzyme unleashes a complex DNA repair process more

The epigenetically dispersed placenta

Two molecular opponents keep placental DNA in epigenetic suspension more

New tool facilitates clinical interpretation of genetic information

Researchers develop new method to help interpret mutations in disease genes and improve clinical decision-making more

Eye color genes are critical for retinal health

Researchers from Dresden investigated how four Drosophila genes, known to control eye color, are essential for health of retinal tissue more

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Increased efficiency, precision and reliability in DNA editing

New method brings breakthrough in the precise introduction of mutations in human genomes more

Protein droplets may cause many types of genetic disease

Malfunction of cellular condensates is a disease mechanism relevant for congenital malformations, common diseases, and cancer more

Zombie viruses on a hijacking trip

Ancient dormant sequences in the genome impact embryonic development in unexpected ways more

Genes and tongues are not always tied together

A global database helps explore the complex history of our genes and languages more

A stack of books in front of a DNA double helix

A large-scale gene study identifies series of DNA variants linked to dyslexia more

Microscopy picture of a dividing basal radial glial cell, a progenitor cell type that generates neurons during brain development. Modern human TKTL1, but not Neandertal TKTL1, increases basal radial glia and neuron abundance.

Due to the change of a single amino acid, brain evolution has proceeded differently more

Fewer chromosome segregation errors in modern human than Neanderthal neural stem cells.

Brain stem cells of modern humans make fewer mistakes in the distribution of their chromosomes to the daughter cells more

A stiff polymer called lignin (stained red) is deposited in a precise pattern in the cell walls of exploding seed pods. Researchers identified three laccase enzymes required to form this lignin. No lignin forms in the cell wall (stained blue) when all three genes are knocked out by CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing.

Researchers identify the genes controlling the mechanical structure of exploding seed pods more

Potato genome decoded

The complete sequencing of the genetic material facilitates the breeding of new varieties more

Microscopic view of liver liver cell organoids derived from normal (left) or mutant (right) mice showing intrinsic accumulation of lipids (in green).

Two cancer genes regulate the metabolic state of the liver more

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Decoding gene transcription is a team effort: Patrick Cramer (centre) with members of his laboratory.

Nothing works with incomprehensible code – not even a cell. Patrick Cramer is carrying out research on the enzyme that transcribes the DNA code to enable a protein to be synthesized from a gene. To do so, he relies on high-resolution microscopes and artificial intelligence. more

Genes as parasites

Scientists analyse, how jumping genes can be copied in the DNA more

A new genome for regeneration research

First complete genome assembly of planarian flatworm reveals treasure trove on the function and evolution of genes more

Decoding the Axolotl genome

The sequencing of the largest genome to date lays the foundation for novel insights into tissue regeneration more

Possible cause of early colonial-era Mexican epidemic identified

Salmonella enterica, the bacterium responsible for enteric fever, may be the long-debated cause of the 1545-1550 AD “cocoliztli” epidemic in Oaxaca, Mexico that heavily affected the native population. more

Researchers sequence a new Neandertal genome

The genome of a European Neandertal allows more Neandertal DNA to be identified in present-day people more

How easily we tan is influenced by Neandertal DNA

Neandertal DNA influences variation in skin tone and hair colour in people living today more

First large-scale ancient genomes study from sub-Saharan African skeletons lifts veil on prehistoric populations

Genetic analyses uncover lost human populations and surprising relationships, revealing a complex history of population movements in ancient Africa more

Parkinson's disease involves degeneration of the olfactory system

Scientists discover anatomical link for the loss of smell in Parkinson’s disease more

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