How the body works
Genes and disease
News
Features
Background
Human variation
Nature and nurture


Genes and disease

Genes can have a powerful impact on our health, sometimes directly - through chromosome or single gene disorders - or by influencing our susceptibility to disease.

news

The discovery of a gene that causes a form of hereditary spastic paraplegia may provide an important insight into what causes axons, the stems of our nerve cells, to degenerate in conditions such as multiple sclerosis. 10/01/12

Researchers in South-east Asia have identified two genetic variants associated with increased susceptibility to severe dengue. The study offers clues to how the body responds to dengue infection. 17/10/11

features

Image for What it's like for me: androgen insensitivity syndrome
A 25-year old female shares her experiences of living with an intersex condition. Born a woman, she carries XY, not XX, sex chromosomes. 10/12/09
Image for What it's like for me: primary ciliary dyskinesia
Rachael, a civil servant and part-time student, tells how a genetic condition called primary ciliary dyskinesia affects her life. 10/12/09

background

Image for Colorectal cancer
Colorectal cancer is the third commonest cancer in the UK, only exceeded by lung and breast cancer. 25/03/06
Image for Familial adenomatous polyposis
Familial adenomatous polyposis is an inherited cancer syndrome which predisposes patients to early-onset colorectal cancer, amongst other cancers. 24/03/06
"When we know the face of the enemy... we will try to cure the disease or lessen its effects." James Watson
Share |
Icon representing the Cancer file section.
Icon representing the Diabetes file section.
Icon representing the Single gene disorders section.
               
Wellcome Trust, Gibbs Building, 215 Euston Road, London NW1 2BE, UK T:+44 (0)20 7611 8888