Genetic mutations are changes in the DNA sequence that make up the genome of an organism. These changes can occur naturally during DNA replication or be induced by external factors such as radiation, chemicals, and viruses. Mutations can vary in size from a single DNA building block (nucleotide) to a large segment of a chromosome that includes multiple genes. They can be classified into several types, including point mutations, deletions, insertions, and chromosomal rearrangements. While many mutations are neutral, having little or no effect on the organism, some can lead to genetic disorders or increased susceptibility to diseases. On the other hand, mutations also drive evolution by contributing to the genetic variability within a population, potentially leading to beneficial adaptations that enhance survival and reproduction. In medicine, understanding genetic mutations is crucial for diagnosing genetic disorders, developing treatments, and implementing personalized medicine approaches.
New research from University College London (UCL) has unraveled the biology behind a unique genetic mutation that results in its carrier experiencing minimal pain, enhanced…
Episodic ataxia type 6 is a rare neurological disorder that affects only a small number of individuals globally. It leads to temporary loss of muscle…
The male reproductive system is a hotspot for the emergence of new genes, which may explain why more new mutations are passed down from fathers…
Mutations can be good and bad. They sometimes enhance an organism’s survivability and adaptability. Sometimes they are so damaging that an organism is incapable of…
A University of Portsmouth research team has found a potential way to predict genetic mutations before they occur. According to a University of Portsmouth study,…
A new study finds that most “silent” mutations are harmful rather than neutral. Marshall Nirenberg, a University of Michigan alumni, and a small group of…
An unexpected relationship between two of the most frequent cancer-causing factors might lead to more effective drugs. According to a recent study from the University…
A new explanation for aging has been developed by researchers who have shown that genetic abnormalities that develop gradually over a lifetime cause substantial alterations…
A new mechanism links mutations in areas devoid of genes to cancer. For many years, the human genome was seen as a book of life,…
A new study explains where COVID-19 variants come from New research shows that people with weakened immune systems are more likely to get chronic infections…
A new theory suggests that mutations have few straightforward ways to establish themselves in cells and cause tumors. For many researchers, the road to cancer…
Researchers at EMBL Heidelberg found that inversions in the human genome are more common than previously thought, which impacts our understanding of certain genetic diseases….
The study could serve as the basis for novel strategies to ensure that future generations are not affected by such diseases. Existing treatments are palliative,…
The Fukushima disaster seems to have caused three generations of butterflies near the nuclear plant to mutate. This has raised fears that it could affect…
A team of scientists analyzed and compared DNA sequences from 20 patients with hemimegalencephaly, finding that de novo somatic mutations in a trio of genes…
David Skuse, a psychiatrist and an expert on language development working at the Institute of Child Health at University College London, encountered a mysterious ailment…
A newly published study examined data from 26 clinical trials to better understand how drug-resistant HIV mutations form and to help find more effective treatments….
The flu can be lethal in some patients, but benign in others. The reason that this is the way that flu infections work might be…