Gene

A gene is a unit of heredity in a living organism. It normally resides on a stretch of DNA that codes for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. All living things depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains.

What are Genes?

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the chemical information database that carries the complete set of instructions for the cell as to the nature of the proteins produced by it, its life span, maturity, function and death. Genes are the working subunits of DNA. Each gene contains a particular set of instructions, usually coding for a particular protein or for a particular function.

Horizontal Gene Transfer and Antibiotic Resistance

What is SATI Gene Editing?

Functions of BRCA1/2 Gene Products

Genetics and Gene Expression

Genes that Control Pluripotency

Gene Knockin

Conditional Gene Knockout Techniques

Tumor Suppressor Genes

Gene History

The Latest Advances in Cell and Gene Therapy

What are Homeobox Genes?

See more featured articles »

Ras Genes and Cancer

Genetic Inheritance

Gene Editing Techniques: ZFNs, TALENs or CRISPR?

Gene Knockout versus Knockdown

Horizontal Gene Transfer

What are Homeobox Genes?

Latest Gene News and Research

Alternative splicing of DOC2A gene shown to drive schizophrenia risk

In an important new study, Chinese researchers have discovered the previously unrecognized role of alternative splicing of the DOC2A gene in schizophrenia.

16 Jan 2026

Purdue-developed LENN system enhances stability and targeting of mRNA cancer therapies

Published, peer-reviewed research shows a patent-pending, virus-mimicking platform technology developed at Purdue University improves upon traditional methods of targeting bladder cancer cells with messenger RNA (mRNA) therapies.

16 Jan 2026

Age-related sperm changes at imprint regions linked to autism risk

A new research paper was published in Volume 17, Issue 12 of Aging-US on December 29, 2025, titled "Age-specific DNA methylation alterations in sperm at imprint control regions may contribute to the risk of autism spectrum disorder in offspring."

16 Jan 2026

Monash experts urge funding for national genomic screening to prevent disease

Leading genomic health experts from Monash University are calling for urgent government funding to progress the development of a national preventive genomic testing program that would save thousands of Australians from conditions like cancer and heart disease.

16 Jan 2026

AI identifies promising CDK9 inhibitors for cancer treatment

A new and important discovery comes from the field of oncological research thanks to the joint work of researchers from the Sbarro Institute in Philadelphia, the National Cancer Institute – Pascale Foundation, and the University of Pisa.

16 Jan 2026

New insights into long-term liver injury after Kasai portoenterostomy for biliary atresia

BA is characterized by early destruction of the bile ducts, leading to cholestasis, inflammation, and rapid fibrosis shortly after birth.

16 Jan 2026

New markers improve detection of aggressive breast cancer cells in the blood

Of all the types of breast cancer, triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive and lacks specific therapies.

16 Jan 2026

New oral drug safely lowers triglycerides and other blood lipids in Phase 1 trial

In a Phase 1 clinical study, researchers led by EPFL and their partners report that a new liver- and gut-targeted oral drug can safely lower triglycerides and other blood lipids.

16 Jan 2026

Thermogenic beige fat protects blood vessels from hypertension

Obesity causes hypertension. Hypertension causes cardiovascular disease. And cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide.

15 Jan 2026

CTDNEP1 identified as potential tumor suppressor in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the most common type of pancreatic cancer and begins in the cells lining the pancreatic duct.

15 Jan 2026

Repurposed Alzheimer’s medication offers low-cost hope for sickle cell anemia

Sickle cell anemia is the world's most common genetic disorder. It causes the red blood pigment hemoglobin to crystallize, which results in rigid, malformed red blood cells with a sickle shape.

15 Jan 2026

Scientists reveal how cholera bacteria activate toxin genes in the human gut

Cholera remains a major global public health challenge, with an estimated 1.3 to 4 million cases and tens of thousands of deaths reported worldwide each year.

14 Jan 2026

Study reveals genetic signatures linked to HIV-related cognitive impairment

Using participant skin cells reprogrammed into neurons, Weill Cornell Medicine researchers have identified genetic signatures associated with HIV infection that may contribute to the cognitive impairment that often occurs in people living with HIV, even when the virus is controlled.

14 Jan 2026

CRISPR-Cas3: A safer gene-editing tool shows promise for transthyretin amyloidosis treatment

Genetic disorders occur due to alterations in the primary genetic material, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), of an organism. Transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is a progressive disorder involving amyloid deposits of misfolded transthyretin (TTR) proteins.

14 Jan 2026

Age-tailored therapies needed for treating the young and old with sepsis

Dealing with an infection isn't as straightforward as simply killing the pathogen. The body also needs to carefully steer and monitor its immune response to prevent collateral damage.

14 Jan 2026

Disease-responsive nanoparticles enable ghrelin mRNA therapy in osteoarthritis

Nitin Joshi, PhD, and Jingjing Gao, PhD, of the Department of Anesthesiology at Mass General Brigham, are the co-senior authors of a paper published in Nature Nanotechnology, "A disease-severity-responsive nanoparticle enables potent ghrelin mRNA therapy in osteoarthritis." Mahima Dewani, PhD, is the lead author of this study.

14 Jan 2026