genetics

The happiness chemical that sits on top of our DNA

Serotonin is a chemical that can be found in many parts of our body, including the brain. People have described it as a happiness chemical, as it is strongly...

Genetic determinants of thinness and obesity: cards of the same deck

Obesity is a major public health concern. While most genetic studies have focused on obesity, we opted to look at the contribution of genetic variation to...

"Peeling back the onion": a multi-layered approach to understand the dynamics of sleep

We have taken a systems genetics look at sleep to peel back the many layers regulating sleep. Using this approach, we could connect specific DNA variations to...

Gene edited “superpigs” resist devastating disease

Genome editors are simple tools that allow scientists to make very precise changes to the genome of any organism. Here we present the use of these "gene...

Ancient Egyptian mummies give up the last of their secrets

History books tell us about how ancient populations developed to be the modern world that we are living in. Ancient DNA can provide us with a broader picture...

Lego blocks for precise gene editing

Gene editing, the molecular technique which allows DNA modifications, is evolving to an unprecedented precision. CRISPR-Cas9, the groundbreaking tool used in...

A novel treatment for inherited blinding eye diseases

The innovative molecular technique known as CRISPR/Cas9 opens new landscapes for treating genetic disorders otherwise incurable.

Survival of the friendliest

What makes dogs so uniquely friendly? Scientists have studied the unique relationship between humans and domestic dogs for decades, but the role of genetics in...

Fancy footwork: Darwin’s pigeons and the evolution of foot feathers