inheritance

Some studies suggest that associations between the health of children and the experiences of their parents or grandparents may be due to epigenetic mechanisms, but confounding factors challenge this interpretation.

The concept of epigenetic inheritance has long been controversial. Some researchers hope that new data on cross-generational effects of environmental exposures will help settle the debate.

An independent lab fails to replicate results suggesting mammals exposed to pathogens could pass on immunological protections through epigenetic mechanisms.

An RNA-modifying enzyme passed to daughter cells during budding allows yeast cells to switch between faster- and slower-growing phenotypes.

Researchers identified a novel mechanism by which chemically induced stress is “remembered” by the mitochondria of worms more than 50 generations after the original trigger.

Neurons stressed with chemicals produce Wnt, which in turn triggers changes in the germline.

He discovered that autism had strong genetic links.

The Columbia University neuroscientist researches the biology behind some of our most human experiences, including building family relationships. 

A gene involved in a newly described syndrome affects neural functioning in fruit fly embryos.

Despite a solid understanding of the biological basis of fragile X syndrome, researchers have struggled to develop effective treatments.

A case study of a family demonstrates that different genetic mutations from the two parents cause severe heart disease symptoms in the children.

Variation in the number of CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene at the bottom of the X chromosome can lead to increased levels of mRNA or decreased levels of protein—both conditions that cause disease.

Two research groups demonstrate that in Caenorhabditis elegans, behavioral traits can be passed down through the germline to future generations, even though they aren’t hard-wired.

A study suggests that the direct transfer of DNA methylation marks from one generation to the next is much less common than scientists previously thought.

The recent discovery of 17 people who have inherited maternal and paternal lines of mitochondrial DNA has major ramifications for medical and ancestry research.

Researchers identify unique cases in which people inherited mitochondrial DNA not just from their mother but also from their father.

Learning about your own genetic idiosyncrasies comes with complex emotions.

An analysis of 14,000 genomes reveals regions where new mutations are more likely to develop.

Mitochondrial DNA polymerase is necessary for the destruction of paternal mtDNA in fruit fly sperm, scientists show.