The hottest Genetics Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Health & Wellness Topics

Roche Nanopore: First Thoughts (Pt 1)

ASeq Newsletter • 51 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Roche Nanopore's new sequencing method shows really impressive early results, which builds confidence in its technology.
  2. The accuracy of their duplex sequencing is reportedly better than Illumina's, suggesting it could be useful for many different applications.
  3. More information will be shared soon, as there's ongoing discussion and a second post in the works.

Unlocking Precision Fermentation Via Protein Engineering

Splitting Infinity • 39 implied HN points • 30 Oct 23
🔬 Science Genetics
  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.

What's new in biology: summer 2025

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 22 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. A personalized gene therapy using CRISPR has helped a baby with a rare genetic disease, allowing him to eat more protein without harmful effects. This shows how quickly treatments can be developed for urgent medical needs.
  2. New RSV vaccines are significantly reducing hospitalizations for infants in the US, proving to be effective in protecting young babies from severe respiratory infections. If more infants got vaccinated, there would be even fewer hospital visits.
  3. A new cholesterol drug, obicetrapib, is showing promise in lowering LDL levels for heart disease patients, even those already on maximum doses of statins. It seems to have fewer side effects, making it a good option for many.

Making the First Transgenic Ants

Asimov Press • 154 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Engineered ants are used to study neuroscience of pheromone signaling
  2. Creating transgenic ants involved precise genetic engineering and long, meticulous work
  3. Transgenic ants provided insights into the brain's response to communication signals, aiding in understanding insect behavior

Dyslexia

Confidence Interval • 39 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness 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.
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Compilation Post #3

Extropic Thoughts • 39 implied HN points • 15 Apr 23
🔬 Science Genetics
  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
  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 Genetics
  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.

Reverse Genetic Systems

A Biologist's Guide to Life • 58 implied HN points • 23 Dec 24
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. There are two main theories about the origin of SARS-CoV-2: one is that it came from animal trade, and the other is that it originated in a lab. Each theory has its own set of details that scientists are still investigating.
  2. Understanding the origins of the virus requires knowledge of both biology and complex statistical methods. These methods help researchers weigh the evidence carefully, which is crucial for arriving at the most likely explanation.
  3. The evidence increasingly suggests that the virus may have come from a lab, especially noting the features like the furin cleavage site that were put into a reverse genetic system. This raises important questions about how we study viruses and their potential risks.

Accelerating genetic design

The Century of Biology • 272 implied HN points • 26 Mar 23
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Multiple important technological paradigms are converging in the life sciences, impacting life on various scales.
  2. Synthetic biology focuses on designing new genetic circuits to program cells for new tasks.
  3. Using a platform like CLASSIC, genetic circuits can be systematically tested to learn composition-to-function relationships.

Using Evolutionary Theory To Prevent Aging

The Future of Life • 39 implied HN points • 04 Aug 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Genetics
  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.

Glyphic's Nanopores

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Glyphic has a new way to sequence proteins using nanopores, which is exciting for science. They have filed a patent for this method.
  2. They have shared more data with some investors, showing progress beyond what's in the patent.
  3. Despite their advancements, Glyphic hasn't talked much about their technology publicly yet.

Eggs and scrambled chromosomes

De Novo • 121 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Growth of eggs from stem cells is challenging, but a new research approach involving injecting adult cell nucleus into a donor egg may offer an alternative.
  2. Chromosomes' proper segregation during meiosis II seems more efficient in inbred mice compared to hybrid mice, indicating the importance of genetic similarity in the process.
  3. Understanding the mechanism that aids proper segregation in inbred chromosomes could potentially lead to advancements in using the nuclear transfer method for human oocytes, though challenges like aneuploidy and efficiency still need to be addressed.

An AWS For Sequencing?

ASeq Newsletter • 58 implied HN points • 16 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Genetics
  1. Bioinformatics companies often struggle to succeed on their own, but some are finding unique ways to add value by providing analysis of sequencing data from external service providers.
  2. Just like how companies can use AWS for their server needs, the idea is to create an AWS-like platform specifically for DNA sequencing, making services easier and more accessible.
  3. Building a platform for sequencing could lower barriers for businesses and encourage new applications in the field, opening up more opportunities for innovation.

The Roche Nanopore Sequencer

ASeq Newsletter • 43 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Genetics
  1. The Roche Nanopore sequencer has impressive features like an 8 million sensor array and can process data really fast, but its chemistry isn't great.
  2. It has better density and throughput than some models but still needs improvements to stand out against competitors, especially Oxford Nanopore.
  3. Upcoming webinars will share more details, so it could be worthwhile to check them out if you're interested in this technology.

The Vector Zoo

Asimov Press • 96 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. The Vector Zoo showcases humanity's battle to eradicate zoonotic and vector-borne diseases, emphasizing the challenges faced in diseases like malaria due to shifting parasites and vectors.
  2. The Last Mile Labyrinth in the Vector Zoo symbolizes the choice between collaborative efforts towards disease eradication or reverting to isolated living, highlighting the complexities and costs involved in disease elimination.
  3. The Temple of Political Will in the Vector Zoo underscores the critical role of social and political commitment in disease eradication, demonstrating the impact of funding and investments in public health initiatives.

Abrus Bio, Inc.

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Abrus Bio is working on technology involving DNA sequencing for analysis. This means they are using DNA to read information, similar to what other companies are doing.
  2. There is a discussion happening in an online community about Abrus Bio, showing that there is interest and curiosity in their work.
  3. The author is researching patents related to Abrus Bio to understand more about their technology and innovations. This shows the importance of looking into legal documents to learn about new developments.

The Funniest Gene Name in History

Eat Shit and Prosper • 79 implied HN points • 08 Nov 22
🔬 Science Genetics
  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.

Of mice and men and eggs

De Novo • 165 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23
🔬 Science Genetics
  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.

Four steps to reduce cardiovascular disease by up to 90%

More is Different • 12 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🏥 Health & Wellness Genetics
  1. Statins could be safe and effective if made available over-the-counter. More people could benefit from them without needing a prescription.
  2. There's a lot of misinformation about statins causing muscle pain, but studies show most of the pain people feel isn’t actually caused by the drug.
  3. Screening for heart disease should start earlier, even in children, to help catch issues before they develop into serious problems.

Will no one rid me of this turbulent pest?

De Novo • 110 implied HN points • 14 Oct 23
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Political concerns are the main obstacles to deploying gene drives, not technical challenges.
  2. Gene drives have the potential to end malaria, but they need to be released soon to save lives.
  3. Gene drive organizations need to carefully navigate public perception and governmental support to avoid backlash and ensure success.

Roche Nanopore Expectation Management

ASeq Newsletter • 29 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. The Roche Nanopore sequencer is expected to generate useful sequence data, showcasing its potential in the market. This could help solidify nanopores as a valuable detection technology.
  2. Accuracy is important for applications, but Roche is likely to compete on cost, which could make their technology appealing for various uses. Their position is good for future improvements.
  3. Roche's innovations may lead to significant competition for existing sequencing methods, especially Illumina. The expectations suggest that this could reshape the sequencing landscape.

Playing the game vs. finding a cheat code

De Novo • 99 implied HN points • 10 Sep 23
🔬 Science 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.

Discovery and design in bio

Digital in bio • 19 implied HN points • 03 Sep 23
🔬 Science 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.

Ultima Genomics...$80 Genome...$0 Genome...

ASeq Newsletter • 21 implied HN points • 26 Feb 25
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Ultima Genomics has improved its sequencer, allowing more output per run and lowering costs significantly. This means sequencing the genome will cost around $80 now.
  2. The new technology uses larger features which help boost throughput without needing complex techniques. This makes the process simpler and more efficient.
  3. While these changes are great for users, their long-term impact on the company’s survival is uncertain. It’s important that they remain financially viable to continue providing these benefits.

MOLECL / DNAQuraCy

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 20 Aug 25
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. MoleCl was originally introduced as DNAQuraCy, focusing on using solid-state nanopore technology.
  2. This technology is meant to improve sample quality control before sequencing, which is not possible with current methods like fluorescence-based analyzers.
  3. Its goal is to provide better analysis of DNA fragments and detect any contaminants in the sample.

A Cellular Symphony: The Song of the Cell Reviewed

Holodoxa • 39 implied HN points • 16 Dec 22
🔬 Science Genetics
  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.

Unraveling Autism’s Surge

Who is Robert Malone • 11 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🏥 Health Politics Genetics
  1. Autism diagnoses are increasing, and this is believed to be due to broader diagnostic criteria, greater awareness, and social factors, rather than a single biological cause.
  2. Genetics play a big role in autism, but environmental factors also matter. Different influences might activate genetic risks, making each case unique.
  3. The rise in autism could be linked to changes in how we define and categorize the disorder, with some arguing that this shift might lead to over-diagnosis and misses the real needs of individuals.

The Ancestral Health Debate

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 59 implied HN points • 23 Jun 22
🏥 Health & Wellness 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.

I Am A Sequencing Absolutist

ASeq Newsletter • 80 implied HN points • 06 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Genetics
  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.

Long Live the Gene

Holodoxa • 39 implied HN points • 02 Nov 22
🔬 Science Genetics
  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.

Links in Progress: Snakebites, Pig Hearts, and More

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 03 Feb 25
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. An AI tool has been developed to create a new kind of antivenom that can work without refrigeration. This could help save many lives, especially in areas where snakebites are common.
  2. A study showed that a vaccine for Ebola had an 84% effectiveness in preventing the disease in high-risk groups. This is good news for controlling future outbreaks.
  3. New technologies in gene editing and drug development are rapidly evolving, with Chinese companies making significant strides in creating new treatments.

ApoB and You Brain

Neuro Athletics • 61 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Genetics
  1. ApoB is a crucial biomarker linked to cardiovascular health.
  2. High levels of ApoB can lead to atherosclerosis, affecting brain function.
  3. Managing ApoB levels involves dietary adjustments and understanding genetic factors.

Your “MTHFR” Is Just a Riboflavin Deficiency

Harnessing the Power of Nutrients • 299 implied HN points • 26 Feb 19
🏥 Health & Wellness Genetics
  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.

Post Replications!

Cremieux Recueil • 72 implied HN points • 25 Aug 23
🔬 Science Genetics
  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.

Synthesis - Switchback Systems, Inc.

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 04 Jul 25
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Switchback Systems appears to own some interesting technology but isn't using it in the expected way. Instead of focusing on protein sequencing, they're exploring a new method for synthesis.
  2. There's some confusion about the direction of Switchback Systems because they don't seem to align with the typical work associated with their intellectual property.
  3. The discussion highlights the importance of understanding how companies adapt their technologies and where they might lead in the future.

Will Oxford Nanopore Sue Roche?

ASeq Newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🔬 Science Genetics
  1. Oxford Nanopore has been actively suing companies like BGI without concrete claims of intellectual property infringement. This raises questions about their legal strategy.
  2. Roche might also face issues if they used Oxford's sequencers, especially since there are user agreements involved that they might have overlooked.
  3. Oxford Nanopore has a history of using the hairpin duplex approach, which led to legal disputes in the past. It will be interesting to see if their current patents hold up against previous art from competitors.