How the body works

Rare genetic disorder provides clues to development of the pancreas

A rare genetic disorder has given researchers a surprising insight into how the pancreas develops. The finding provides a clue to how it may be possible to 'programme' stem cells to become pancreatic cells. 12/12/11

Study of metabolites reveals genetic influence on human metabolism

Researchers have undertaken the most comprehensive investigation of genetic variance in human metabolism and discovered new insights into a range of common diseases. 01/09/11

Gene linked to peanut allergy

An international collaboration has discovered a genetic link to peanut allergy. It has been known for some time that peanut allergy can be inherited, but this study marks the first robust evidence pinpointing a specific gene. 11/03/11

Gene discovery supports link between handedness and language-related disorders

Scientists at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, have identified a genetic variant which influences whether a person with dyslexia is more skilled with either the left or right hand. The finding identifies a novel gene for handedness and provides the first genetic evidence to support a link between handedness and a language-related disorder. 05/11/10

Scientists identify four genetic variants linked to risk of early menopause

Research suggests that four common genetic variants may have a significant impact on the odds of having early menopause. 18/10/10

Maternal diet and genes interact to affect heart development

A pregnant mother's diet may interact with the genes her unborn child inherits and influence the type or severity of birth defect according to research. 07/07/10

First gene variant linked to ageing identified

A study suggests that that some people may be genetically programmed to age at a faster rate, or may age faster depending on environmental factors. 08/02/10

Heart rhythm gene revealed in new research

New research has revealed a gene which regulates the rhythm of the heart. The study could ultimately help design more targeted drugs for heart problems. 11/01/10

Eight new blood pressure genes identified

Scientists have identified eight new genes affecting blood pressure, in a study part-funded by the Wellcome Trust. 12/05/09

Genetic make-up influences biased economic decision making, study shows

How would you respond if you were told that you had an 80 per cent chance of surviving an operation? Would you give consent? How about if you were told you had a 20 per cent chance of dying? 06/05/09

Feeling pain in cold conditions

Researchers have identified a key component of the system that allows nerve cells to feel pain under cold conditions. 30/07/07

Master switches for adult blood stem cells

A set of 'master switches' keeps adult blood-forming stem cells in their primitive state. 08/02/07

Pinpointing pain: The congenital inability to experience pain

A study of people with a congenital inability to experience pain identifies a key player in the molecular basis of pain perception. 18/01/07

Sex determination: Exploring XX males

A newly discovered growth factor might play a vital role in sex determination. 16/01/07

Stem cells: Old age proliferators

Age creeps up on all of us – including stem cells. 15/12/06

Matchmaking: Genomic signatures

A new 'connectivity map' lets researchers match drugs to diseases. 22/11/06

Genetic tug of war determines sexual differentiation

Whether or not a fertilised mammalian egg ultimately develops into a male or female is determined by the winner of a tug of war between two different genes. 23/05/06

Body odour: telling smells

Human body odour is distinctive, albeit not always pleasant. It appears to be influenced by our genes and may even affect our chances of mating. 14/09/05

'Jumping genes' contribute to the uniqueness of individual brains

The movement of transposons could allow individual brains to develop in distinctly different ways. 15/06/05

Geneticists identify 'master switch' that causes female flies to behave like males

Turning on a single male-specific gene produces a female fruit fly that displays male courtship behaviors: chasing other females, tapping their abdomens and performing wing-beating love serenades. 15/06/05

Researchers identify sleep gene

Researchers identify a gene that can have a powerful effect on the amount of time fruit flies sleep. 27/04/05

Genes that determine and restrict stem cell fate

Research on adult stem cells found in the skin hints at a new class of genes – dubbed pangenes – that can both govern a stem cell's fate and put a hold on future differentiation until the time is right. 10/03/05

Signalling protein builds bigger, better bones in mice

Genetically engineered mice with bone mass up to four times greater than ordinary mice could lead to new ways of preventing or treating osteoporosis and other human diseases. 22/02/05

Marathon mice created by gene targeting

Increasing the levels of a skeletal muscle protein allows 'marathon mice' to run twice as far as normal mice. 24/08/04

Gene changes in the ageing human brain

After the age of 40, some brain genes do not work as well, while others work harder. 11/06/04

Birds share 'language' gene with humans

Gene associated with human language is key component of the song-learning machinery in birds. 30/03/04

Ageing: An X-linked trait?

A Belgian study into the inheritance of telomere length proposes that key genes involved in ageing may be on the X chromosome. 17/02/04

Investigating the 'master planners' of the skeleton

Knock-outs of Hox10 and Hox11 gene familes show roles in construction of ribs, spine and limbs. 18/07/03

European Commission publishes background paper on stem cell research

Overview of the key features of stem cell biology and their potential therapeutic use, and a survey of current legislation in EU countries. 16/04/03

UK sets up stem cell bank

UK Government pledges major investment in stem cells and postgenomic technologies. 19/09/02