Study shows the microRNA miR-19 helps budding adult brain cells stay on track - A small stretch of ribonucleic acid called microRNA could make the difference between a healthy adult brain and one that’s prone to disorders including schizophrenia. Scientists at the Salk Institute discovered that miR-19 guides the placement of new neurons in the adult brain, and the … [Read more...] about Small molecule keeps new adult neurons from straying, may be tied to schizophrenia
Dna
DNA Evidence: basics of identifying, gathering and transporting
Gathering DNA Evidence Physical evidence is any tangible object that can connect an offender to a crime scene. Biological evidence, which contains DNA, is a type of physical evidence. However, biological evidence is not always visible to the naked eye. DNA testing has expanded the types of useful biological evidence. All biological evidence found at crime scenes can be … [Read more...] about DNA Evidence: basics of identifying, gathering and transporting
Microsatellites or Short Tandem Repeats (STR)
Short Tandem Repeats (STRs) are regions of the genome composed of approximately 1-5 bases and repeated up to 17 times. STR markers will either be simple (identical length repeats), compound (two or more adjacent repeats) or complex (several different length repeats). They are found on 22 autosomal chromosomes as well as both X and Y sex chromosomes, though those on the Y … [Read more...] about Microsatellites or Short Tandem Repeats (STR)
What is Mitochondrial DNA?
Although most DNA is packaged in chromosomes within the nucleus, mitochondria also have a small amount of their own DNA. This genetic material is known as mitochondrial DNA or mtDNA. Mitochondria are structures within cells that convert the energy from food into a form that cells can use. Each cell contains hundreds to thousands of mitochondria, which are located in the … [Read more...] about What is Mitochondrial DNA?
Five major Psychiatric Disorders share Genetic Links
Five major mental illnesses — autism, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder and schizophrenia — appear to share some common genetic risk factors, according to an examination of genetic data from more than 60,000 people worldwide (The Lancet, online Feb. 28). Researchers in 19 countries examined the genomes of more than 33,000 … [Read more...] about Five major Psychiatric Disorders share Genetic Links
