Epigenetics and RNA, not just genes and proteins, hold the key to understanding human evolution, including the inevitability of the evolution of consciousness, says Professor John Mattick.
Evolutionary biology has long focused its attention on protein-coding genes. But it's the vast regulatory networks of RNA - once thought of as "junk DNA" - that are the major driving force behind human evolution.
Detailed genome study on identical twins - one with MS - reveals no genetic trigger for the disease.
Monozygotic - or identical - twins have provided science with the ideal platform for distinguishing between genetic and environmental influences for anything from personality, risk of cardiovascular disease or even voting habits.
The genome of the zebra finch is helping us understand how we learn how to speak.
The genome of the zebra finch is helping us understand how we learn how to speak.
Study shows transcription factors play a larger roll than expected in explaining individual differences.
Study shows transcription factors play a larger roll than expected in explaining individual differences.
New research shows the microRNA, miR-9, plays a significant role in metastasis and blood vessel growth in breast cancer and could provide a target for future therapies.
New research shows the microRNA, miR-9, plays a significant role in metastasis and blood vessel growth in breast cancer and could provide a target for future therapies.
Garvan researchers find gene silencing in prostate cancer is more substantial than expected and could provide key to battling cancer.
Garvan researchers find gene silencing in prostate cancer is more substantial than expected and could provide key to battling cancer.
How do plants ‘know’ when to begin flowering in spring? Dr Jean Finnegan of the CSIRO explores the epigenetic mechanisms that help flowering plants weather the winter.
How do plants ‘know’ when to begin flowering in spring? Dr Jean Finnegan of the CSIRO explores the epigenetic mechanisms that help flowering plants weather the winter.
It’s an age old debate: nature or nurture. But as Emma Whitelaw is finding, our individual differences may be due to neither, they might be down to dumb luck.
It’s an age old debate: nature or nurture. But as Emma Whitelaw is finding, our individual differences may be due to neither, they might be down to dumb luck.
Salk researchers map the first complete human epigenome.
Salk researchers map the first complete human epigenome.
Epigenetics is moving from the laboratory to the clinic and the pharmacy, with several histone deacetylase inhibitors on the market and epigenetic screening likely to become as widespread as genetic screening.
Epigenetics is moving from the laboratory to the clinic and the pharmacy, with several histone deacetylase inhibitors on the market and epigenetic screening likely to become as widespread as genetic screening.
