New Atlas

Biology Audio available

Long-lost "tasty genes" could soon be spliced back into store-bought tomatoes

Michael Irving May 14, 2019

It’s no secret that tomatoes plucked from the supermarket aisles just aren’t that tasty. To find taste genes that could be spliced back into commercial crops, researchers have complied a pan-genome of all cultivated and related wild tomato species, uncovering almost 5,000 previously-unknown genes.

Researchers have completed a pan-genome of all cultivated tomato breeds, uncovering thousands of unknown genes that ...

Medical Audio available

Anti-CRISPR molecules discovered that can block the gene editing technology

Rich Haridy May 2, 2019

New work from the Broad Institute and Brigham and Women's Hospital has presented a study that homes in on small molecules that may have the ability to safely block the CRISPR gene editing process.

Newly discovered anti-CRISPR molecules can quickly inhibit the activity of the CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing process

Biology

Scientists seek genetic answer to predatory nature of invasive lionfish

David Szondy April 28, 2019

The lionfish is an invasive species that is currently wreaking havoc in the warm waters of the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and the US southwestern Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts. NCSU scientists initiated a study of lionfish genetics to learn more about their origins and how to control them.

Genetics help to identify the origins of the lionfish that are devastating warm American waters

Medical Audio available

Anti-obesity genetic variant discovery paves way for new weight-loss drugs

Rich Haridy April 22, 2019

A study has homed in on a number of specific variants in a single gene that can help people either lose or gain weight. The research revealed that some naturally-occurring variants can offer protection against obesity, and may lead to new weight-loss drugs that mimic this genetic variation.

Examining genetic data from half a million people revealed several specific genetic variants associated with lower ...

Biology Audio available

CRISPR breakthrough uses "hairpin lock" for more precise genetic engineering

Michael Irving April 16, 2019

The CRISPR gene-editing system is incredibly accurate, but it’s not unusual for it to be a little bit off target sometimes. Now, biomedical engineers at Duke University have created an RNA “lock” that can apparently make the system far more precise, and it works with all kinds of CRISPR variations.

The new hairpin lock – blue section at the top left – folds back on itself ...

Biology Audio available

NASA's twin study shows how space travel affects genes, cognition, aging and gut microbiome

Michael Irving April 11, 2019

NASA has conducted a comprehensive study comparing the genes and biology of identical twins Scott and Mark Kelly, after Scott spent almost a year in space while Mark stayed on Earth as a control. And now the results of that study have finally been released.

For NASA's comprehensive study on space travel's effects on human health, astronaut Scott Kelly (right) spent ...

Medical

A DNA "shredder" is the latest CRISPR gene-editing tool

Michael Irving April 9, 2019

CRISPR-Cas9 acts like a pair of molecular scissors and enables precise cut-and-paste DNA edits. But now, researchers have developed a new genetic tool that, they say, acts more like a motorized DNA “shredder.”

A new gene-editing enzyme called CRiSPR-Cas3 could function like a "DNA shredder"

Biology Audio available

First computer-generated genome could lead to custom synthetic lifeforms

Michael Irving April 1, 2019

Scientists have created the first fully computer-generated genome of a living organism. Named Caulobacter ethensis-2.0, it was built by simplifying the natural code of Caulobacter crescentus. The team says this is a huge step towards creating completely synthetic life and medicinal DNA molecules.

Scientists have created the first computer-generated genome of a living organism

Biology Audio available

Genetic mutation allows Scottish woman to resist pain and heal faster

Michael Irving March 28, 2019

A woman in Scotland has been found to have a previously-unknown genetic mutation that makes her almost completely immune to pain. Her wounds heal faster and she seems to have less anxiety and fear. Geneticists are now studying the genes responsible to uncover new potential treatments for pain relief

A new genetic study has identified gene mutations that appear to allow a Scottish woman to ...

Biology Audio available

Anti-aging study increases worm lifespans by almost 50 percent

Michael Irving March 27, 2019

Given the chance, very few of us wouldn’t want to slow down the aging process. Chasing that fountain of youth is a major branch of medical science at the moment, and now, a team at Scripps Research has found that blocking a particular enzyme can extend the lifespan of worms by almost half again.

Researchers have found a new biological pathway in worms that extends their lifespans by almost half, ...