Genetics & Molecular Biology

Yeast, the essential microorganism for fermentation in the brewing of beer, converts carbohydrates into alcohol and other products that influence appearance, aroma, and taste. In a study published…

The genetic code is the metabolic instructions by which the genetic information in the DNA is translated into a protein. The fact that almost all organisms use the same code is prime evidence that…

Michael Creighton's latest thriller, Next, presents all sorts of what-if scenarios for the genetic community. While most of us will not have to deal with foul-mouthed orangutans or smart-ass parrots…

The hereditary disease ponto cerebellar hypoplasia (PCH) occurs when certain areas of the brain do not develop properly; this results in severe mental and physical developmental disorders. Life…

Together with colleagues from the Department of Dermatology and Allergy and the Center for Allergy and Environment (ZAUM) of the Technische Universität München, scientists at the Helmholtz Zentrum…

A simple and primitive animal, Trichoplax adhaerens, appears to harbor a far more complex suite of capabilities than meets the eye. The findings, reported Nature, establish a group of organisms as a…

Trichoplax adhaerens is a bizarre little animal with a decidedly simple morphology. (You can see some here). There has been some question as to the relationship between this critter and other…

This appeared in my weekly automated journal search. I have ordered the paper as I can't find an online copy, but the abstract pretty much covers what the argument will be. Same old pre-1980s…

A study of 228 women has revealed genetic variants responsible for body shape, according to research published in BMC Genetics. Based on work in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, the study…

A paper in Cell is reporting the sequence of a Neanderthal mitochondrial DNA genome. Mitochondrial DNA, which you inherit only from your mother, has long been among the most useful DNA regions for…