DNA is the chemical that codes for proteins which determine our physical traits. This molecule is a double coil connected by cross pieces (called bases). There are four bases that can vary in sequence ...

A genome is the complete set of genetic information contained within an organism. It includes all the DNA that makes up an organism's chromosomes, which are tightly coiled structures located in the ...

For more than a century, Mendelian genetics has shaped how we think about inheritance: one gene, one trait. It is a model that still echoes through textbooks—and one that is increasingly reaching its ...

In Mendelian inheritance patterns, you receive one version of a gene, called an allele, from each parent. These alleles can be dominant or recessive. Non-Mendelian genetics don’t completely follow ...

Chromosomes are thread-like structures located inside the nucleus of animal and plant cells. Each chromosome is made of protein and a single molecule of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Passed from ...

When the Human Genome Project concluded 21 years ago, it opened the door for genetic testing and a promise for lifesaving screenings and personalized medicine. An innovation that serves as a key ...

Genetic testing identifies germline mutations, while genomic testing analyzes somatic mutations in tumors, influencing treatment options. Broader testing criteria are expanding access to genetic ...

Hereditary cancer is caused by germline mutations, typically following an inheritance pattern within a family. In contrast, sporadic cancer is caused by somatic mutations interacting with ...