Genetics and birthplace have a big effect on the make-up of the microbial community in the gut, according to research published Nov. 28. in the journal Nature Microbiology. The findings by a team of scientists from the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) represent an attemptContinue reading “Early life history and genetics may play crucial role in shaping gut microbiome”
Category Archives: genes
Fatty acid produced by gut bacteria boosts the immune system
In a mouse model for experimental colitis, a diet supplemented with butyric acid (SB, right panels) leads to decreased infiltration of inflammatory cells (CD4+ T cells [green] in the upper panels, and CD11b+ macrophages [red] and CD11c+ …more New research from the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences in Japan sheds light on theContinue reading “Fatty acid produced by gut bacteria boosts the immune system”
Novel intestinal bacterium provides human gut with healthy compounds
Fibers in our food are thought to be good for health since they are converted in the intestinal tract into the favourable compound butyrate, that is crucial to maintain intestinal health. In contrast, protein is believed to be less healthy since intestinal fermentation of the building blocks of proteins, amino acids, generates undesired compounds.Continue reading “Novel intestinal bacterium provides human gut with healthy compounds”
Pasteurised intestinal bacterium reduces effects of obesity and diabetes
A purified membrane protein from Akkermansia muciniphila or the pasteurized bacterium improves metabolism in obese and diabetic mice. Hubert Plovier, Amandine Everard, Céline Druart et al. Advance Online Publication on Nature Medicine’s on …more The intestinal bacterium Akkermansia proves to offer enduring benefits for the intestines of overweight mice and diabetic animals. In experiments,Continue reading “Pasteurised intestinal bacterium reduces effects of obesity and diabetes”
First structural map of cystic fibrosis protein sheds light on how mutations cause disease
When the researchers plotted the locations of mutations (spheres) within the cystic fibrosis protein, they found that many are clustered at a vulnerable joint (lower right). Credit: Laboratory of Membrane Biology and Biophysics at The Rockefeller University/Cell Rockefeller scientists have created the first three-dimensional map of the protein responsible for cystic fibrosis, an inheritedContinue reading “First structural map of cystic fibrosis protein sheds light on how mutations cause disease”
Protein network linked to cancer is critical to male fertility
This confocal microscope image from a study in the Oct. 18 online edition of Cell Reports shows spermatocytes in mice deficient for a Fanconi anemia pathway protein, Fancd2. The study from Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center …more Researchers studying reproductive science identified a network of proteins often linked to cancer as also important to maleContinue reading “Protein network linked to cancer is critical to male fertility”
Researchers find chemical tag that locks chromosomes together during meiosis
By Stephanie Dutchen Researchers discovered a key step in meiosis by studying proteins (SYP-1, red, and HTP-3, green) that zip up pairs of chromosomes (blue) in the gonads of tiny worms. Credit: Jinmin Gao Chromosomes perform an intricate dance inside the nuclei of cells undergoing meiosis (dividing into sperm and eggs). One stumble can leadContinue reading “Researchers find chemical tag that locks chromosomes together during meiosis”
The power of precision genomics to understand unique causes of disease in individual patients
By Nicholas Weiler Credit: CC0 Public Domain A UC San Francisco-led research team has identified the rare genetic mutation responsible for a unique case of severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID), a deadly immune system disorder also known as “boy in the bubble” disease. In addition to defining the latest of more than two dozen known geneticContinue reading “The power of precision genomics to understand unique causes of disease in individual patients”
Rare mutations may help explain aneurysm in high-risk families
An innovative approach to genome screening has provided clues about rare mutations that may make people susceptible to brain aneurysms, predisposing them to brain bleeds, according to preliminary late-breaking research presented at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2012. For the first time, scientists applied a process called whole exome sequencing to seekContinue reading “Rare mutations may help explain aneurysm in high-risk families”
Surprising findings from Exome Sequencing Project reported
A multi-institutional team of researchers has sequenced the DNA of 6,700 exomes, the portion of the genome that contains protein-coding genes, as part of the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI)-funded Exome Sequencing Project, one of the largest medical sequencing studies ever undertaken. Scientists participating in the project initially expected that individual rare variantsContinue reading “Surprising findings from Exome Sequencing Project reported”
New insights into human genetic variation revealed
Credit: CC0 Public Domain Published in today’s edition of Nature, the research led by Dr Monkol Lek of the University of Sydney and Dr Daniel MacArthur of The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard Universities reveals patterns of genetic variation worldwide by sequencing the exomes of 60,706 individuals with diverse geographic ancestries, including European, African,Continue reading “New insights into human genetic variation revealed”
New technique aids search for genetic roots of disease
A new technique to cheaply and rapidly create sets of DNA fragments that include all possible genetic variants will help scientists distinguish between genetic variants linked to disease and those that are innocuous. Credit: Michael Worful Some 10 million points of genetic variation are scattered across a molecule of DNA, and those variations make usContinue reading “New technique aids search for genetic roots of disease”
Finding your diagnosis in the brave new world of genetics-based medicine
By John Hewitt report A 3D structure of PLP1 protein (Medical Xpress)—We’ve done a number of articles recently about some amazing individuals developing personalized treatments to their own currently uncurable disease. Whether it is a rare orphan disease like Sanfilippo Syndrome and Castleman Disease, or something more common like cancer, these patients have been ableContinue reading “Finding your diagnosis in the brave new world of genetics-based medicine”
To attack pathogens: RNA recycling system gone awry brings MRSA to a halt
Source: University of Rochester Medical Center Summary: Scientists have discovered a new way to attack dangerous pathogens, marking a hopeful next step in the ever-escalating battle between man and microbe. By stopping bacteria’s ability to degrade RNA — a “housekeeping” process crucial to their ability to thrive — scientists were able to stop methicillin-resistant StaphylococcusContinue reading “To attack pathogens: RNA recycling system gone awry brings MRSA to a halt”