Researchers pinpoint small molecules that greatly affect differences in heart health in men and women.

Building off previous groundbreaking research, a new study identifies specific genetic variants that have significant impacts on brain development and are shared across eight different psychiatric disorders. Targeting these variants could pave the way for treatments that address multiple conditions at once.

A research team led by Daniel McKay, PhD, associate professor in the Departments of Biology and Genetics, has identified a key focal point in the biological processes that control cell identity and can lead to disease when mutated.

The lab of Graham Diering, PhD, assistant professor of cell biology and physiology at the UNC School of Medicine, shows how sleep loss during early life impacts key aspects of brain development and how it can increase one’s risk for developing autism spectrum disorder.

The lab of Jason Stein, PhD, associate professor of genetics and member of the UNC Neuroscience Center, has created a controlled model system that could help researchers identify the context-dependent functions of genetic variants that increase one’s risk for developing a psychiatric disorder, such as schizophrenia.

In May 2022, Yael Shiloh-Malawsky, MD, a neurologist at the UNC School of Medicine, met two new patients combatting a rare and fatal neurodegenerative disorder called Batten disease. With help from UNC, the twin girls were able to get personalized treatment from bench to bedside in record time.

UNC School of Medicine researchers Mohanish Deshmukh, PhD, professor of cell biology and physiology, and Praveen Sethupathy, PhD, a former professor of genetics and current chair of Biomedical Sciences at Cornell University, show that a molecule called miR-29 is instrumental in driving the aging process.

A new review article written by Patrick Sullivan, MD, FRANZCP, the Yeargan Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Genetics, outlines the genetic foundations for schizophrenia.

Researchers in the lab of Ben Philpot, PhD, the Kenan Distinguished Professor of Cell Biology and Physiology at the UNC School of Medicine and associate director of the UNC Neuroscience Center, have identified a small molecule that could lead to a safe and effective treatment for the neurodevelopmental condition known as Angelman syndrome.

New research led by Qingyun Liu, PhD, assistant professor in the UNC Department of Genetics, has uncovered a genetic feature known as "transcriptional plasticity," which plays a pivotal role in governing the transcriptional response of Mycobacteria to stressful conditions.

Melissa Haendel, PhD, and her lab of 25-plus members will join UNC-Chapel Hill to focus on early diagnosis of childhood diseases and significantly improve quality of life outcomes.

A woman with blonde hair and a white lab coat stands with hands in her pockets

A research study named Early Check has screened 1,000 newborns after birth in an effort to help identify rare conditions early, provide treatment, give parents educational information, and connect families with specialists throughout the state of North Carolina.

Tag: Genetics

MicroRNA Responsible for Sex Differences in Cardiac Physiology, Disease

Eight Psychiatric Disorders Share the Same Genetic Causes, Study Says

UNC Scientists Discover New Details of Gene Regulation

Let Sleeping Babies Lie: Scientists Highlight Negative Impacts of Sleep Disruption on Early Brain Development

Researchers Create New System to Decode Genetic Risk for Psychiatric Disorders

UNC Fast-Tracks Personalized Treatment for Twins with Ultra Rare Genetic Disorder

Small RNA Molecule Discovered to Have Role in Driving Aging

Researchers Highlight the Genetic Complexity of Schizophrenia

Researchers Identify Potential Treatment for Angelman Syndrome

Researchers Unveil a Hidden Trait in Mycobacterium Genomes Governing Stress Adaptation

Haendel to join UNC Genetics, Pediatrics, Data Science & Society to Advance Precision Medicine in NC

A Newborn Genetic Screening Study Reaches New Milestone