Genes may help some nations stay on top of happiness index

Presence of a gene variant involved in sensory pleasure and pain reduction may contribute towards making a population happier than others, suggests new research.

Scientists Capture Crispr’s Gene-Cutting in Action

FOR ALL THE furious hype around the gene-editing tool Crispr/Cas9, no one has ever really seen it in action. Like really seen it. How the protein Cas9 unzips a strand of DNA, how it slips in the molecule that guides it to a target—and finally, how it goes snip snip on the DNA.

Untapped region of a brain cell 'contains hidden autism genes - and could offer a goldmine of targets for new treatments'

Overlooked brain area has a 'motherlode' of autism genes. These genes are mutated Rbfox1 - which regulates cell proteins. When Rbfox1 genes 'go awry', it can increase the risk of autism. Scientists discovered a region of cells full packed with Rbfox1 genes. This finding provides fresh drug targets for new therapies.

IBM Watson ups the ante on digital wellness with gene-based health app

At the 2016 CES, IBM Watson and Pathway Genomics unveiled a new health app that takes the user's genes into account.

Should We Engineer Future Humans?

Gene editing has come further than ever before. That means we need to start thinking further ahead than ever before.

Scientists have discovered brain networks linked to intelligence for the first time

For the first time ever, scientists have identified clusters of genes in the brain that are believed to be linked to human intelligence.

A new era of health-care innovation

We are experiencing a new wave of innovation in health care - one that promises to create the smartest, most connected, and most efficient health systems the world has ever seen.

What Makes Our Brains Unique?

Our brains are arguably one of evolution's greatest achievements, composed of many regions that each have unique configurations of cells and patterns of connectivity that together bestow us our mental prowess. But what is it about our genes that makes this organ so distinct from those of others? 

Creating Superwoman (and man): Who will benefit from coming age of human enhancement?

Using genetic modification, nanotechnology, bionics, reconstructive surgery, hormones, drugs or any combination of these approaches, real-life human enhancement is looking ever more achievable.

Medical first use of gene editing in humans, reversing leukemia, points to promising future

With this leukemia reversal, gene editing has now demonstrated remarkable promise and fueled optimism about future uses. But experts urge caution.

New layer of genetic information discovered

A hidden, never-before-recognized layer of information in the genetic code has been uncovered by a team of scientists at the University of California, San

Oxford Nanopore announces groundbreaking GridION and MinION gene sequencers

(PhysOrg.com) -- Oxford University spinoff company, Oxford Nonopore has announced at this year’s Advances in Genome Biology and Technology conference in Florida, two new machines for sequencing genes. Of particular note is the MinION, a machine small enough to fit in the hand which can be plugged into a laptop’s USB port. The other, the GridION, is a larger version that can be stacked to increase processing power. Both rely on a technology known as strand sequencing whereby a nanopore (engineered protein) is used to pull strands of DNA through a hole where a microchip measures minute changes in the electrical current in the membrane around it as individual bases, or pairs are pulled through. Because of the way it is done, much longer sections of DNA can be examined at once, doing away with the need to examine small sections independently and then knitting the results together with a computer afterwards.

The next computer: your genes

(PhysOrg.com) -- "Human beings are more or less like a computer," Jian-Jun Shu tells PhysOrg.com. "We do computing work, and our DNA can be used in computing operations." Shu is a professor at the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at the Nanyang Technical University in Singapore. "For some problems, DNA-based computing could replace silicon-based computing, offering many advantages."