The hottest Genetics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

Cheating at Evolution

Eat Shit and Prosper • 159 implied HN points • 01 Nov 22
🔬 Science Biology Microbiology Evolution Genetics Health
  1. Bacteria can share genes with each other quickly, helping them adapt and survive in their environment. This 'horizontal gene transfer' allows them to grab useful traits without the slow process of traditional evolution.
  2. Some animals eat feces to gain beneficial bacteria that help them digest tough foods and absorb nutrients. This behavior helps spread helpful microbes more quickly among their populations.
  3. Understanding how microbes influence our health could lead to new treatments for various diseases. Using healthy microbes from poop could potentially improve a person's well-being significantly.

Forget Gene Therapy. Microbes are the Future of Medicine.

Eat Shit and Prosper • 159 implied HN points • 28 Oct 22
🔬 Science Microbiology Genetics Evolution Health Medicine
  1. Microbes in our gut act like software, constantly changing and adapting, while our genes stay mostly fixed. This flexibility allows our bodies to optimize their functions more effectively.
  2. Unlike permanent changes in our DNA, mutations in microbes can lead to quick advantages without the risk of harmful outcomes. This means our body can benefit from favorable changes without damaging our core genetic makeup.
  3. Using microbes to adapt to different diets or conditions is faster and less risky than gene therapy. Microbes evolve quickly, making them a promising tool for improving health and dealing with diseases.

The Struggle for Survival, Information, and Immortality

Ulysses • 59 implied HN points • 13 Mar 23
🔬 Science Evolution Genetics Language Memory Writing
  1. Living beings navigate the world by ingesting information to survive and evolve, as genes constantly adapt and species evolve through the exchange of genetic material.
  2. Human survival relies heavily on memetic information stored in our minds, with language playing a crucial role in passing on knowledge and shaping societies.
  3. Writing is a powerful tool for achieving a form of immortality by transferring ideas and knowledge across generations, transcending biological limitations.

Oops... gene therapy misfired... who would have thunk

Tessa Fights Robots • 61 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccines Philosophy Genetics Public Health Immune Response
  1. A study found a small error in COVID vaccines that led to the immune system responding to different proteins in some cases.
  2. Researchers identified potential off-target effects of modified ribonucleotides on mRNA translation fidelity.
  3. The human body is complex, and it's essential to align with natural laws for well-being and health.
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I Am A Sequencing Absolutist

ASeq Newsletter • 80 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Genetics Diagnosis Testing Medical care
  1. The author strongly believes in the power and importance of DNA and RNA sequencing in diagnostics.
  2. Many clinicians tend to delay diagnostic tests unless absolutely necessary, relying on common symptoms and tests first.
  3. Despite the potential of advanced genetic testing, clinicians may be hesitant to order tests if there are no clear treatment options available.

Unlocking Precision Fermentation Via Protein Engineering

Splitting Infinity • 39 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🔬 Science Biochemistry Biotechnology Genetics Protein engineering Synthetic Biology
  1. Yeast, especially in precision fermentation, can be genetically modified to produce a wide range of chemicals, biologics, and medicines by augmenting their genes.
  2. The main challenge in precision fermentation is reducing costs, particularly in the purification process where proteins are separated from complex solutions.
  3. Novel techniques like self-cleaving tags and self-aggregating proteins offer promising solutions for purifying proteins in a cost-effective and efficient manner, potentially eliminating the need for expensive purification methods like column chromatography.

Obesity and Alzheimer's Disease

Neuro Athletics • 50 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Obesity Alzheimer's Genetics Treatment Public Health
  1. Obesity during middle age can increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease and other serious health conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
  2. Genes associated with obesity, especially those inherited through the maternal lineage, can play a role in the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
  3. Understanding the impact of altered adipokines, potential treatments like Ozempic, and the interplay between obesity and Alzheimer's disease is crucial for public health challenges.

Dyslexia

Confidence Interval • 39 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Neuroscience Genetics
  1. Dyslexia can be seen as a disability that requires support and accommodations, regardless of whether it is formally diagnosed.
  2. The concept of dyslexia as a medical condition with specific diagnosis criteria can impact the type of support individuals receive, potentially leading to advantages for some over others.
  3. The understanding of dyslexia involves studying brain structures and genetic influences, but it's important to acknowledge that the term 'dyslexia' can encompass a range of factors affecting reading ability.

Compilation Post #3

Extropic Thoughts • 39 implied HN points • 15 Apr 23
🔬 Science Health Space Environment Genetics Research
  1. Child mortality rates have drastically decreased over centuries, signifying significant progress in global healthcare.
  2. America's GDP and economic dominance have continued to grow, especially when compared to its developed peers like in 1990.
  3. AI advancements like ChatGPT's 'iPhone moment' and BloombergGPT are reshaping industries with their capabilities.

Praetorian PTEN: Protecting Cells from Cancer

Holodoxa • 39 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
🔬 Science Genetics Cell Biology Cancer Research Molecular Biology
  1. PTEN acts as a crucial barrier against cancer growth by regulating cell growth and proliferation.
  2. The structure of PTEN, spanning 105 thousand DNA base pairs on chromosome ten, reveals its functional capabilities and how it interacts with cellular components.
  3. PTEN's loss of function, often due to mutation, influences the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, impacting cellular signaling and potentially leading to tumorigenesis.

Ancestral PUFAs?

The Heart Attack Diet • 39 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Genetics Obesity Evolution Diseases
  1. Southern Europeans have traditionally consumed large quantities of olive oil, which is rich in polyunsaturated fats.
  2. Southern European cultures have potentially evolved over time to metabolize polyunsaturated fats better than other populations.
  3. Descendants of Southern Europeans in America may have inherited a resistance to the obesity epidemic due to a long history of consuming olive oil.

Of mice and men and eggs

De Novo • 165 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23
🔬 Science Biology Genetics Research
  1. A study successfully produced eggs from male mice, resulting in baby mice with two biological fathers.
  2. Researchers converted male mouse stem cells to female cells by exploiting chromosomal instability and using a kinase inhibitor.
  3. This breakthrough suggests the possibility of growing eggs not only from women but also from men in the future.

Using Evolutionary Theory To Prevent Aging

The Future of Life • 39 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Aging Genetics Evolution Exercise Nutrition
  1. Aging might happen because our genes focus on survival when we're young. As we get older, the need to focus on staying alive decreases, leading to a faster decline.
  2. Exercise and other environmental factors can trigger youthful traits in our bodies. Keeping active and managing our environment may help slow down aging.
  3. We can explore using technology, like large language models, to find out what biological signals keep us youthful. This might help us develop new ways to combat aging.

Playing the game vs. finding a cheat code

De Novo • 99 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
🔬 Science Biology Development Research Genetics
  1. Playing the game versus using cheat codes can be applied to various situations like growing oocytes and making Pokémon.
  2. Advantages of playing normally: it may take longer but strengthens understanding; button mashing can lead to quicker results but might have unforeseen issues.
  3. In different scenarios, like making natural products or evaluating computer code, deciding between conventional methods or shortcuts is crucial.

Post Replications!

Cremieux Recueil • 72 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
🔬 Science Genetics Research Knowledge
  1. Public support for gene therapies and embryo selection is increasing, especially among educated individuals and those who would benefit from these technologies.
  2. There is a debate about whether knowledge is empowering or dangerous, with some advocating for caution in sharing scientific findings to avoid offense or harm.
  3. A study on attitudes towards gene therapy in infertility patients showed a high acceptance rate for various genetic editing purposes, with varying levels of acceptance based on political, religious, and educational backgrounds.

4 Reads Per Cluster! Simultaneously Paired End-Sequencing!

ASeq Newsletter • 36 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🔬 Science Genetics Bioinformatics Sequencing Biotechnology
  1. Illumina has a method to potentially double their instruments' throughput, but it may come with a slight decrease in accuracy.
  2. By simultaneously reading both the forward and reverse strands, Illumina can achieve four reads per cluster, doubling the throughput.
  3. Implementing the simultaneous paired-end sequencing approach may be challenging without sacrificing accuracy, but it opens up opportunities for increased throughput in the future.

Not MiSeq Beaters

ASeq Newsletter • 65 implied HN points • 20 Aug 23
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Some companies are introducing products to compete with Illumina's MiSeq in the lower end of the sequencing market, but they may not pose a strong challenge.
  2. A recent post on GenomeWeb discussed the emergence of kits and instruments targeting the low-throughput market.
  3. The competition to Illumina's dominance at the lower end of the sequencing market continues to evolve.

Are We Getting Dumber?

Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology • 31 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🔬 Science Intelligence Fertility Genetics Psychology Data Analysis
  1. There is a negative correlation between IQ and fertility across the world, suggesting a decline in intelligence over time.
  2. More developed countries show a weaker decline in intelligence compared to less developed nations.
  3. Embryo selection for intelligence could potentially offset the decline in intelligence, especially in wealthier countries.

The Funniest Gene Name in History

Eat Shit and Prosper • 79 implied HN points • 08 Nov 22
🔬 Science Biology Genetics Evolution Research
  1. Gene names can be funny, like fucose mutarotase, which has an amusing history behind it. Naming genes can be tricky, so in 2020, standards were set to avoid confusion from auto-formatting in software like Excel.
  2. Scientists found that the fucose mutarotase gene affects behavior in mice. Knockout mice without this gene behaved like males, showing how genes can influence sexual behavior.
  3. The research suggests hormones during fetal development, specifically estradiol, play a key role in shaping behavior. This highlights the complex relationship between genetics, hormones, and behavior.

Phage-assisted evolution and protein engineering yield compact, efficient prime editors

Axial • 37 implied HN points • 20 Oct 23
🔬 Science Biotechnology Genetics Research Evolution Engineering
  1. New optimized prime editors called PE6 variants improve editing outcomes in mammalian cells
  2. Phage-assisted continuous evolution enhances the efficiency of compact reverse transcriptases
  3. Combining evolved Cas9 domains with engineered RTs creates efficient prime editors for installing DNA sequences in vivo

Discovery and design in bio

Digital in bio • 19 implied HN points • 03 Sep 23
🔬 Science Biology Artificial Intelligence Research & Development Evolution Genetics
  1. Biology is complex and evolving, with AI playing a crucial role in advancing our understanding and abilities in the field.
  2. Biological research consists of two main pillars: discovery and design, with a focus on broadening our knowledge and engineering biology to suit human needs.
  3. Collaboration between academia, research organizations, and commercial entities is key to pushing forward progress in AI-driven biology.

The Resilience of Life: Ancient Worm Revived After 46,000 Years 🐛

Stemble - for the love of STEM! • 19 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🔬 Science Microbiology Genetics Conservation Evolution Biodiversity
  1. A worm was revived after being frozen for 46,000 years, showing the incredible resilience of life.
  2. Cryptobiosis allows organisms to survive extreme conditions by entering a state of suspended animation.
  3. Studying ancient organisms like the revived worm can offer insights for conservation biology and preserving biodiversity.

A Cellular Symphony: The Song of the Cell Reviewed

Holodoxa • 39 implied HN points • 16 Dec 22
🔬 Science Biology History Medicine Genetics Education
  1. Cells are the basic unit of life, each acting as a decoding machine for genes and building block of organisms.
  2. Cell biology is a vast field encompassing genetics, molecular biology, and more, and studying cells is crucial for understanding life and disease.
  3. In his latest book, Siddhartha Mukherjee explores the history and importance of cellular biology, emphasizing that cells are the elementary particles of organisms.

The Ancestral Health Debate

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 59 implied HN points • 23 Jun 22
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Debate Diet Genetics
  1. Ancestral health frameworks can be based on ancestral constraints or knowledge and wisdom, offering valuable insights and hypotheses.
  2. There is no one-size-fits-all optimal diet, and deviations from ancestral diets may include artificial enhancements, but creating a superior artificial diet is complex.
  3. Antagonistic pleiotropy is a key concept in the debate, suggesting genetic adaptations may have conflicting effects on health at different life stages.

Long Live the Gene

Holodoxa • 39 implied HN points • 02 Nov 22
🔬 Science Genetics Debate Research Philosophy Evolution
  1. There is a heated debate between the importance of genetics and environment in shaping human behavior with stark divisions between political ideologies.
  2. The debate often oversimplifies complexities, with genetics and environmental factors both playing significant roles, despite the polarized views.
  3. Kampourakis' book, 'Understanding Genes,' critiques genetic essentialism but lacks depth in explaining the significance and impact of genetic science, presenting a one-sided view.

Chapter 12: Heart Attacks in South Asians: Understanding the Risks and Seeking Solutions(India, Bangladesh, Pakistan)

Spyderdoc Newsletter • 39 implied HN points • 08 Jun 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Heart Disease Genetics Diet Exercise Stress
  1. Genetics play a significant role in heart health for South Asians.
  2. South Asians are at risk due to smaller coronary arteries and high prevalence of coronary artery disease.
  3. Low physical activity levels, particularly among South Asians, contribute to various health issues.

Your “MTHFR” Is Just a Riboflavin Deficiency

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 299 implied HN points • 26 Feb 19
🏥 Health & Wellness Nutrition Genetics Methylation Deficiency Metabolism
  1. MTHFR is an important enzyme involved in methylation, and deficiencies can lead to various health issues. Common genetic variations like C677T and A1298C can impair MTHFR activity.
  2. The solution starts with ensuring an adequate intake of riboflavin, which plays a crucial role in supporting MTHFR function. This requires a dietary adjustment and potentially exploring a specific protocol.
  3. Beyond riboflavin, addressing other nutrient deficiencies and genetic impairments related to energy metabolism is crucial for optimizing MTHFR activity. Comprehensive screenings can help identify these underlying issues for effective solutions.

A story about how AI will transform health

The Future of Life • 19 implied HN points • 05 Apr 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Healthcare AI Genetics Health tech Patient Experience
  1. AI can analyze personal genomic data and provide tailored health recommendations. This can help people get advice that is more specific to their situation than the average doctor visit.
  2. Using AI tools like GPT-4 allows individuals to access a wide range of research and findings that may not be known to their healthcare provider.
  3. It's important to understand certain medical concepts when interpreting genetic information. Being informed can help you ask the right questions and get the most accurate insights.

Always

The Strategy Toolkit • 17 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🔬 Science Biology Environment Genetics Public Health
  1. Finger length ratios can be linked to exposure to testosterone in the womb and may have correlations with autism, left-handedness, dyslexia, and other brain-related traits.
  2. Research into the fetal origins of adult disease suggests that fetuses optimize development for short-term gains, potentially leading to long-term health issues like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity.
  3. Evidence from studies on animal brains and organs in different dietary environments supports the hypothesis that early life conditions can have lasting impacts on health, with implications for public health strategies.

Gompertz–Makeham law of mortality

Axial • 7 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🔬 Science Biology Aging Genetics
  1. The Gompertz-Makeham law of mortality is a mathematical model used to describe age-specific mortality rates in human and other species, crucial in actuarial science and studying aging.
  2. The law was developed by Gompertz with an exponential model showing increased mortality rates with age, later extended by Makeham to include an age-independent mortality term.
  3. While widely used, the Gompertz-Makeham law has limitations, inspiring researchers to propose alternative models to better capture the complexity of mortality patterns, especially at advanced ages.

GPCRs in kidney disease

Axial • 7 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🔬 Science Biotechnology Genetics Healthcare Research Pharmacology
  1. Kidney disease, particularly autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (PKD), has been underinvested compared to other conditions like oncology and diabetes.
  2. The development of drugs targeting GPCRs PC-1 and PC-2 in PKD could significantly improve the quality of life for patients by reducing cyst size.
  3. Business models in drug development are shifting towards rare disease candidates like PC-1/2, emphasizing treatments that exceed the current standard of care.

The Cause of my Mental Illness

Christian Bonanno • 1 HN point • 12 Jun 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Mental health Genetics Nutrition Chronic Illness Biochemistry
  1. The author discovered through genetic testing that they had a homozygous carrier of minor alleles in the Purine Nucleoside Phosphorylase gene, affecting their immune system and mental health.
  2. Partial Purine Nucleoside Phosphorylase Deficiency can manifest with mild-moderate immune abnormalities in the third decade of life, impacting immune function and typical development.
  3. Having excess GTP due to the gene deficiency could lead to over activation of serotonin and dopamine receptors, potentially causing symptoms of Bipolar Mania and Schizophrenia, and zinc supplementation might help counteract these effects.