Gene regulation

Microbial Genetics: Genetic Mechanisms in Bacteria and Archaea

by

Microbial genetics is a specialized field within genetics that focuses on the study of genetic mechanisms in bacteria and archaea, collectively referred to as microorganisms or microbes. These single-celled organisms play crucial roles in various ecosystems, contributing to nutrient cycling, biogeochemical processes, symbiotic relationships, and human health. Microbial genetics explores the diversity, evolution, regulation, and … Read more

Plant Genetics: Breeding and Genetic Modification

by

Plant genetics encompasses the study of genes, heredity, and genetic variation in plants, including their breeding, genetic modification, inheritance patterns, molecular mechanisms, and applications in agriculture, horticulture, forestry, and biotechnology. Understanding plant genetics is essential for improving crop traits, developing new crop varieties, enhancing agricultural productivity, ensuring food security, and addressing global challenges such as … Read more

Gene Editing Technologies: CRISPR and Beyond

by

Gene editing technologies have revolutionized the field of molecular biology and genetics by providing powerful tools to precisely modify DNA sequences, study gene functions, correct genetic mutations, and engineer biological systems. Among the most widely used and transformative gene editing technologies is CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) and its associated protein, Cas (CRISPR-associated … Read more

Genomics: Mapping Genomes and Genetic Variation

by

Genomics is a field of biology that focuses on the study of genomes, which are the complete sets of genetic material (DNA) present in an organism. Genomics encompasses a wide range of disciplines, techniques, and methodologies aimed at mapping genomes, analyzing genetic variation, understanding gene function, and elucidating the genetic basis of traits, diseases, and … Read more

Biochemistry: Chemical Processes in Living Organisms

by

Biochemistry is the branch of science that explores the chemical processes and molecules within living organisms. It delves into the structure, function, and interactions of biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, and metabolites, elucidating fundamental principles of life, cellular functions, biochemical pathways, and molecular mechanisms underlying biological processes. Proteins Proteins are essential biomolecules … Read more

Genetics: Inheritance and Molecular Basis of Life

by

Genetics, the study of heredity and the molecular basis of life, represents a cornerstone of modern biology with profound implications for understanding biological diversity, human health, evolution, and biotechnological applications. At the core of genetics lies the exploration of genetic inheritance, the transmission of traits from parents to offspring, and the molecular mechanisms governing genetic … Read more

Study reveals how gene regulation shifts during cell differentiation

by

If you look at a nerve cell, a muscle cell, or a skin cell under the microscope, they appear strikingly different. However, every cell in our body has the same DNA and has descended from a common ancestor—the fertilized egg cell. The diversity we observe arises due to differentiation—a process during development where cells mature … Read more

RNA Polymerase

by

RNA polymerase is a key enzyme involved in the process of transcription, where genetic information encoded in DNA is transcribed into RNA molecules. This enzyme plays a crucial role in gene expression, as it catalyzes the synthesis of RNA strands complementary to a DNA template strand. Through its intricate structure and precise mechanism of action, … Read more

What is the difference between DNA and RNA?

by

DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) and RNA (Ribonucleic Acid) are two fundamental molecules essential for life as we know it. While they share similarities in their chemical composition and play crucial roles in genetic processes, they also exhibit distinct differences that are essential for understanding the complexity of biological systems. DNA, famously known as the “molecule of … Read more

How does RNA differ from DNA in terms of structure and function?

by

RNA (ribonucleic acid) and DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) are both essential nucleic acids found in living cells, playing crucial roles in the storage and transmission of genetic information. Despite sharing some similarities, they exhibit key differences in terms of structure and function, reflecting their distinct roles within cellular processes. Structure At a fundamental level, both RNA … Read more

Molecular biology

by

Molecular biology is a branch of biology that explores the structure, function, and interactions of molecules that make up the essential components of living organisms. It delves into the molecular mechanisms underlying various biological processes, including DNA replication, transcription, translation, and cellular signaling. At its core, molecular biology seeks to understand the molecular basis of … Read more

Small nuclear RNA

by

Small nuclear RNA (snRNA) is a group of short RNA molecules found within the nucleus of eukaryotic cells. Despite their modest size, snRNAs play crucial roles in various aspects of gene expression, particularly in the processes of pre-mRNA splicing and gene regulation. This class of RNA molecules is part of a larger family of non-coding … Read more

Primary transcript

by

The primary transcript is a crucial intermediate molecule in the process of gene expression, representing the initial RNA product synthesized from a DNA template during transcription. Understanding the formation and processing of primary transcripts is fundamental to unraveling the complexities of cellular biology, gene regulation, and the synthesis of functional RNA molecules. Transcription is the … Read more

What is a gene?

by

A gene is a fundamental unit of heredity, a segment of DNA that contains the instructions for building and maintaining an organism. These instructions govern the development, functioning, and characteristics of living organisms, from single-celled bacteria to complex multicellular beings like humans. The study of genes and their transmission from one generation to the next … Read more

What is RNA?

by

Ribonucleic acid, commonly known as RNA, is a versatile and essential molecule in the realm of molecular biology. It plays a central role in the flow of genetic information, serving as a mediator between DNA and protein synthesis. RNA exhibits a diversity of functions, ranging from its involvement in transcription and translation to its participation … Read more

New study identifies genetic variants that regulate gene expression in schizophrenia

by

At the genetic level, our uniqueness stems from subtle discrepancies within our DNA sequences, referred to as genetic variants. Some of these variations have noticeable and comprehensible effects, ranging from eye color to the susceptibility to conditions like schizophrenia, a debilitating psychiatric disorder affecting millions globally. Over the past years, scientists have conducted extensive genome-wide … Read more

NSL complex regulates intraciliary transport system in cilia

by

Cilia, those delicate lash-like extensions protruding from cell surfaces, serve as versatile sensors, detecting mechanical and chemical cues while participating in critical signaling pathways. Over the past decades, cilia’s significance has transformed from ambiguous to alarming, as it shifted from a mysterious organelle to a key player in various diseases. These conditions, termed ciliopathies, encompass … Read more

Researchers reveal universal deformation mechanisms of DNA and RNA

by

DNA and RNA, the fundamental building blocks of life, can undergo structural changes due to environmental influences like salt, temperature shifts, and stretching forces. These changes have significant implications for gene regulation and protein functions. Yet, accurately measuring these deformations has proven challenging. Recently, researchers from City University of Hong Kong and Wuhan University, co-led … Read more

Single protein responsible for formation of biomolecular condensate in the nucleolus

by

MIT biologists have uncovered a crucial insight into the formation of biomolecular condensates within cells. These assemblies, responsible for vital cellular functions, have long puzzled scientists. The discovery highlights a scaffolding protein, TCOF1, as the key player in crafting one such condensate found in the nucleolus, an organelle involved in ribosome construction. This finding sheds … Read more

New microscopy technique reveals unseen molecular processes of gene transcription

by

Gene transcription, the process of turning genes on or off, is essential for cellular diversity, individual variation, and even health and disease. However, understanding this molecular process has been challenging, as it is not directly visible. Recently, a breakthrough microscopy technique called chromatin expansion microscopy (ChromExM) has enabled scientists to observe previously unseen molecular processes … Read more