A component of the human intestinal flora that has been little studied to date is the focus of a new study. Plasmids are small extrachromosomal genetic elements that frequently occur in bacterial ...

The degree to which selfish genetic elements are actually selfish may need a rethink. For decades, it has been assumed that the typical selfish genetic element is a bit of DNA that resides in a host’s ...

This study identifies around 11,000 housekeeping cis-regulatory elements (HK-CREs), revealing their important role in cellular stability and potential tumor suppression capability across diverse ...

Certain pieces of DNA have been labeled as 'selfish genetic elements' due to notions that they don't contribute to a host organism's survival. Instead, researchers have now discovered that these ...

Technological advancements have enabled scientists to comprehensively explore genetic control elements, unraveling the complexities of gene activation mechanisms in our genetic code. New evidence ...

There is usually one bit of genomic DNA in a bacterial cell that encodes for most of its functions, but bacteria can carry other bits of genetic material like plasmids, which could carry a gene for ...

New research shows that a large, ubiquitous mobile genetic element changes the antagonistic weaponry of Bacteroides fragilis, a common bacterium of the human gut. Bacteria evolve rapidly in the human ...

Transcription factors are proteins that can bind to DNA and affect the expression of genes; some are known as master regulators that can have a wide impact and affect crucial processes like ...

Viruses are known to use the genetic machinery of the human cells they invade to make copies of themselves. As part of the process, viruses leave behind remnants throughout the genetic material ...

As the human population continues to explode, the need for efficient crop growth also expands. While there have been great strides in plant genetics and modification, there is still much to be learned ...