Looking for the latest life sciences news? Week in Brief has you covered!
New research into fertility and birth has been published this week…
An experiment in male mice has revealed the genes on the Y chromosome that are implicated in fertility and sperm production. This research could be applied to humans to help understand and treat the causes of infertility (Science).
Scientists have discovered a molecular timer in mice – activated early in pregnancy – that controls when they give birth to their offspring. Should these findings translate to humans, this could be used to identify women who are at risk of going into pre-term labour (Cell).
Psychiatric disorders have been the topic of several recent studies…
A recent study has shown that a range of pleiotropic variants associated with multiple psychiatric disorders can be split into two functional groups. The work also suggests that these variants could make effective treatment targets (Cell).
Using information collected by smartwatches, researchers have trained an AI model to predict whether the wearer has psychiatric conditions. This information was also used in a GWAS to identify genetic loci associated with these disorders (Cell).
The largest genetic study of bipolar disorder to date has revealed hundreds of genomic regions associated with the disorder, many of which have never been linked to the condition before (Nature).
Cancer research has made headlines…
Researchers have mapped the genetic differences between individuals with a form of childhood kidney cancer, giving a better understanding of how inherited mutations influence disease risk and development. These findings could lead to the development of tailored cancer treatments (Cancer Discovery).
Researchers have identified new genes that may contribute to the hereditary risk of high grade serious ovarian cancer. These findings could allow for better disease prediction and targeted interventions for those at risk (npj Genomic Medicine).
What else has gone on this week?
Scientists have published a comprehensive dataset that details transcription factor binding sites, which regulate gene expression across the genome. This resource provides insights into the underlying causes of various disorders (Genome Research).
A complete recombination map of the human genome has been published. This is the first recombination map to provide information on non-cross-over recombination – the most common type of recombination (Nature).
Research has shown that when female mice express only their maternal X-chromosome in the brain, they suffer faster cognitive decline than those who express a mix of maternal and paternal X-chromosomes. This could explain why brain aging differs between males and females (Nature).
A study has shown that mutations in the PSEN1 gene impacts the processing of amyloid precursor protein and subsequently leads to the build up of amyloid beta protein in the brain, causing Alzheimer’s disease. This fundamental new research could lead to the development of treatments for the condition (eLife).
Check out last week’s Week in Brief here.
