DNA may grab most of the attention, but another nucleic acid is also available - RNA. Find out how much you know about this major macromolecule in our fun and insightful RNA quiz.

Those who think obesity is due to their genetic makeup relish any news that 'fat genes' have been found as they look to blame something else for their predicament rather than...

Crick and Watson may well be the names that trip off the tongue when most people are asked to identify pioneering geneticists. But behind these two scientific giants is a crowd of equally...

Ever since Dolly the sheep made headlines, cloning has been a hot button issue around the world. There is a lot of misinformation out there about what cloning is, what constitutes a...

Venture deep inside the nucleus to explore the structure and function of DNA. The molecule's structure is key to its function and replication, and it controls its own replication...

Proteins are one of the major building blocks of life, without which there would be no life as we know it. Want to brush up on your knowledge of proteins? These articles will give...

We have a deep and long-term relationship with bacteria as our bodies, inside and out are swarming with these tiny microscopic cells. Some are friends others are foes. Which are the...

Shows about forensic crime-fighting with DNA are a big hit on TV, but they usually skimp on the details. If you’ve ever wondered just how DNA profiling works, and how it’s...

DNA fingerprinting is the cutting edge of criminal forensics and by cutting edge I mean sometimes it seems like you should be reading it in a science fiction novel instead of a police...

Our genetic code is not without a number of mutations. We are either born with them or acquire them during life. While most are benign others can cause disease and genetic disorders...

DNA may grab most of the attention, but another nucleic acid is also available - RNA. Find out how much you know about this major macromolecule in our fun and insightful RNA quiz.

Proteins are one of the major building blocks of life, without which there would be no life as we know it. Want to brush up on your knowledge of proteins? These articles will give...

Since Crick and Watson's discovery the world has gone DNA crazy. Have you kept up with developments, with the science of the times? Or do you know more about your jeans than...

Just ten years removed from the sequencing of the entire human genome, we have entered a golden era of genetics. Indeed, genetic discoveries are being made at a furious pace in laboratories...

Birth order and its impact on a child's personality and development has been the subject of study since 1874. Researchers agree that there are links between birth order and language...

The preliminary study of the Mendelian genetics of Sedum plants is one of the less popular experiments of Mendel. His discoveries laid the foundation for his more popular pea experiments...

Oncogenes are mutant forms of normal human genes which, if not regulated, can trigger a cell to grow and divide uncontrollably. The formation of tumors, and the cancer that results...

There have been several studies that clearly demonstrate the role of genetics and the limbic system in aggression. Although the subject of aggression can be quite complex in human beings...

Scientists today are conducting genetic studies using microarray technique. The main advantage of this technology is that scientists can study thousands of genes at a time. Learn more...

How are the various vultures of the world related to each other? This article explains with phylogenetic trees (like family trees, only with species instead of individuals)...

Antigenic shift is an important biological phenomenon that is of importance in studying pathogens and the diseases that they cause. Antigenic shift is mostly reported in influenza,...

Telomeres are repetitive regions of DNA at the tips of chromosomes. Understanding how they function could help to slow down the ageing process. Find out how with our telomere FAQ...

Siamese cats have a unique coat pattern. The gradual shading of the extremities is caused by a recessive gene with temperature-sensitive expression. The resulting pattern is essentially...

Without Hox genes you'd be a very different looking person. They ensure that your head sits on the top of your body, that your feet are at the bottom, that your arms hang by your...

Cytogenetic technologists are laboratory workers who analyze human chromosomes—both healthy and abnormal—with relation to disease. Abnormal chromosomal condition and abnormal...

A biophysicist and crystallographer in the 1940s and 50s, Rosalind Franklin undertook imaging work that unlocked the secrets to DNA’s structure. It is only since the publication...

The Krebs cycle is necessary for life. Read on to learn more about this important process and how it occurs.

Proteins formed during the translational process are require to go through various post-translational modifications to make them functional. Learn the mechanisms that take place during...

They fascinate children almost everywhere, and during our lifetimes our noses will produce thousands of them from the gallons of mucus we pump out. But what causes boogers and just...

Many people think fatal water intoxication is a myth. However, it is a true medical condition. So, read on to learn about it.

Ever since Dolly the sheep made headlines, cloning has been a hot button issue around the world. There is a lot of misinformation out there about what cloning is, what constitutes a...

Human cloning seems like something out of a science-fiction novel, but it may one day be possible with advances in science and technology. This creates several ethical and moral issues...

Biotechnology types of cloning include reproductive cloning, therapeutic cloning, and DNA cloning. Learn the differences of each type of cloning and how cloning may or may not be beneficial...

Cloning animals for food is still being studied to determine if it is safe or not. Learn why cloned animals are not being used as food today.

Human cloning process does not mean creating cloned human beings rather it is a method of harvesting stem cells that could be used for the treatment of human diseases. Read the following...

Many cloned animals are alive today. Some are expected to provide human pharmaceuticals and even organs for transplantation to humans. There have been successes, some rescues, and some...

More than a decade has passed since cloned sheep Dolly splashed across the news and caused a great debate in the entire world. Here we look back, remembering gentle Dolly, and look...

Variations on a theme: the different techniques used in animal cloning are more similar than they are different. However, they have become more efficient, and more common since...

Using genetic traits and traces, scientists are today able to rebuild possible replicas of what was surviving on the Earth before and from time to time.

Few advances in modern science have been as controversial as cloning nor as debated as the ethics of cloning. This article looks at the debate, including the idea of human cloning and...

Venture deep inside the nucleus to explore the structure and function of DNA. The molecule's structure is key to its function and replication, and it controls its own replication...

Shows about forensic crime-fighting with DNA are a big hit on TV, but they usually skimp on the details. If you’ve ever wondered just how DNA profiling works, and how it’s...

DNA fingerprinting is the cutting edge of criminal forensics and by cutting edge I mean sometimes it seems like you should be reading it in a science fiction novel instead of a police...

In some ancient mythologies chimeras were incredible beasts with a lion's head and a serpent's tail, a composite of two or more creatures. Human chimeras do exist, but they...

Genetic testing is already being marketed to predict talents and potentials of young children. But there are skepticism in the scientific community on the feasibility of these tests...

Currently, testing for genetic disorders can only identify a very small percentage of the 15,000 known ones. However, a new test is on the horizon that has the potential to screen...

Learn about the use of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) to bring closure to one of the world's most notorious mysteries - the last two children of the Romanov royal family.

Genetic screening can provide valuable information regarding a person's propencity for disease; however there are ethical issues involved with genetic screening.

Are you wondering how mitochondrial DNA is used in forensics? Read on for an introduction into this exciting branch of science.

Since the genetic engineering of plants began in the 1980s, the common form of modifying an organism has been to introduce new genes. However, during the early part of the 21st century...

Crick and Watson may well be the names that trip off the tongue when most people are asked to identify pioneering geneticists. But behind these two scientific giants is a crowd of equally...

Born on 2 October 1933 to affluent and supportive parents, John Gurdon was interested in biological things from an early age. He studied the Classics at Eton and then went on to study...

Hans Spemann's work in embryology led to many advances in developmental biology. He's a key figure in the history of genetics and embryology.

George Palade has been described as the founder of cell biology. He did ground-breaking research in the structure of the cell and its functioning.

Hans Spemann is widely considered the ‘Father of Cloning’. His experiments in embryology helped pave the way towards modern advances in developmental biology.

Rosalind Franklin is perhaps molecular biology's most famous tragedy. Her work on the double helix was crucial for Watson and Crick's discovery, yet she failed to receive the...

Working out the structure of DNA was one of the Holy Grails of biological science. Then along came James Watson and Francis Crick and untangled the helix, so to speak. So who is James...

This article highlights the achievements, both research and organizational of D. Bernard Amos (1923-2003), a distinguished scientist whose work greatly improved our understanding...

This article profiles Herbert Boyer, co-creator of the world's first genetically engineered organism and co-founder of biotech giant Genentech, Inc.

Craig Venter is arguably one of the most famous scientists in genetics research. He was involved in the race to map the human genome and some people refer to him as the 'Bill Gates'...

Malaria is a huge problem in many parts of the world. In sub-Saharan Africa there are one million deaths per year to the disease. There is a great need for better prevention and protection...

Genetic engineering of livestock and produce is a practice that is in full swing. Since modifiers are not currently required to place labels on their products, many are wondering what...

In this article, the role which morality plays in the field of genetic engineering as well as the common moral or ethical issues being debated at present have been discussed.

Using the directed evolution method, you can create proteins and enzymes with specific properties for specific purposes in agriculture, industry and medicine. Directed evolution allows...

Genetic engineering has its uses as well as its disadvantages. Read on to learn more about the process and when it may not be beneficial.

The number of countries growing GM crops has increased in recent years. The benefits and dangers of genetically engineered food are the subject of intense debate. Supporters claim it...

The goal of genetic engineering is to make debilitating diseases a thing of the past. While this is a noble goal, this branch of science also has risks. Learn about the pros and cons...

Think designer babies are a thing out of a scary science fiction novel? Not only are we headed in the direction of altering the genetics of our offspring - to an extent - we already...

GM Foods are controversial. Depending on your view point they can increase crop yield and help to solve world hunger or they are purely designed to boost the profits of big corporations...

The radioactive materials used in genetic engineering include radioactive isotopes and nucleotides. In this article, you will learn how and why radioactive isotopes and nucleotides...

This article presents an overview of the chromosomal disorder de Grouchy syndrome, with a look at its signs and symptoms, genetic basis and prognosis.

Uterine cancer strikes nearly 50,000 women and causes nearly 8,000 deaths in the U.S. annually. This article focuses on the Lkb1 and FGFR2 genes, as it is known that a mutation in...

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease where the skin cells replace themselves too quickly causing scaly and crusty patches of skin. The exact causes are unknown, and though a faulty immune...

Epilepsy is a disorder of the neurons, however, genetic factors play a crucial role in case of idiopathic epilepsy. Almost 50 million people suffer from this disorder worldwide. Learn...

Hailey-Hailey disease is a rare genetic skin disorder that causes blisters, lesions and other anomalies in the skin. Read on to learn more about this often painful disease and its...

Find out what causes Klippel-Feil syndrome and see what treatment options might be available.

Genetic disorders are disorders concerning the DNA that is passed on from parents to their children. While this can be a frightening thing to think about, it is important to learn about...

Osteogenesis imperfecta type III is a rare, but highly debilitating, genetic disorder that is marked by fairly severe bone defects. Read on to learn about this condition, what is known...

Aarskog-Scott Syndrome is a relatively rare genetic disorder that affects more males than females and leads to multiple developmental defects. This article describes this disorder...

This form of lymphedema is very rare and has no cure. Several treatments help relieve the symptoms and improve quality of life for those with this condition.

Without the process of mitosis there would be no cancer. Cancerous cells ignore or override some of the control measures of this type of cell division. Read on to find out more.

Elizabeth Blackburn is a biologist who studies many different facets of telomeres - the tips of the chromosome which protect it during cell division. She also co-discovered telomerase...

The U.S. biochemist and geneticist Marshall Warren Nirenberg is famous for his pioneering work on the genetic code. This work, for which he won the Nobel Prize in Medicine or Physiology...

The successful mapping of the cow genome is likely to lead to better and bigger things in genetic science.

Bed bugs are big pests. It was assumed that their fire had gone out, and the threat diminished. But as their genomes have evolved, these blood sucking beasts are biting back... big...

Genomics may sound familiar, as if it were a novel or a movie. What is it exactly? Genomics is the study of genes, what constitutes them, its structures, how it is related to DNA...

A brief look at the life and research of Sir Gavin Rylands de Beer. He was a British embryologist and developmental biologist. His work helped shed light on various evolutionary issues...

Periodically flu pandemics strike, causing severe illness and sometimes death. Bird flu and swine flu make international headlines when they go on the attack. Understanding just how...

The cloning of animals has been a controversial topic ever since the announcement of the creation of Dolly the Sheep. Since that ground breaking proclamation, many animals have been...

There have been countless alien sightings, yet definitive proof of their existence does not yet exist. If ET lives, and has a home, could DNA analysis help to locate him, it, or her?...

Our genetic code is not without a number of mutations. We are either born with them or acquire them during life. While most are benign others can cause disease and genetic disorders...

A cleft chin, also known as a dimpled chin, is a distinctive facial characteristic. Learn how this feature is caused or inherited.

Genetic disorders are diseases or conditions that are caused by abnormalities in genes or chromosomes. Some are known at birth, whilst others make an appearance later in life.

Cuba is one of the world's healthiest nations. Unfortunately, however, despite this overall good health, Cubans are not immune from suffering from genetic conditions. This article...

Hemophilia is a genetic disorder that restricts the body's ability to clot blood. In its most severe form even something as trivial as a minor injury can lead to death.

Adoption studies are often used to understand human inheritance mechanisms, allowing researchers to separate genetic and environmental effects. This article discusses how these studies...

Dent's disease is a rare kidney disorder that is genetically inherited and causes a number of problems in affected individuals, including increased incidence of kidney stones and...

Nail patella syndrome is a rare hereditary condition that causes complications with the nails, skin, kidneys, and eyes. The bones and joints are often affected by the condition as well...

It was JBS Haldane, one of the founders of modern genetics who speculated in 1935 that we would each have 150 new genetic mutations in our DNA. It turns out that he was in the right...

How much of intelligence is inherited, and how much is down to environmental factors? Is the environmental component 'plastic' to any degree? Can you do anything to...

We have a deep and long-term relationship with bacteria as our bodies, inside and out are swarming with these tiny microscopic cells. Some are friends others are foes. Which are the...

A number of researchers have identified dopamine agonists as factors that contribute to gambling addiction. These studies may benefit people to overcome their addictive gambling habit...

Lassa fever—a viral, hemorrhagic fever—is endemic to West Africa. Known for less than 50 years, it affects some 300,000 West Africans annually.

Gene therapy methods have had an 80% success rate in treating lab rats with brain tumors. Could the same success be duplicated in treating human brain tumors and brain cancer?

The West Nile virus was first documented in the West Nile province of Sudan, Africa. Since then, there have reports of infection from Middle East, Europe, west and central Asia, and...

Cells are highly organised and specialized structures. Their valuable organelles are protected by cell membranes. Find out more about these vital cell structures, and the role they...

Rennin enzymes play an important role in helping young mammals digest milk. Rennin is also used as an industrial catalyst to make cheese.

Stork bites, angel's kisses, and strawberry - these are all names given to birthmarks. So what are birthmarks and are they genetically inherited? Read on to find out more.

A variety of methods and techniques is essential to study protein sequencing, including mass spectrometry, Edman degradation and the natural processes involving mRNA. This leads to...

Canine parvovirus is a member of the Parvoviridae genus, and can produce both cardiac and gastric symptoms in domesticated dogs and wild canids. It is thought to have mutated from...

Those who think obesity is due to their genetic makeup relish any news that 'fat genes' have been found as they look to blame something else for their predicament rather than...

Although the exact causes of childhood autism have not been identified to date, there has been much emphasis on genetics as the most important factor in its causation. Other factors...