Genetic Defects

Viral Vectors delivery new calcium pumps for ailing hearts

(Medical Xpress)—A fresh round of trials to evaluate gene therapy for the heart is set to begin in a couple of weeks. The British Heart Foundation will be sponsoring the study, which seeks to replace defective ...

Medical research created May 01, 2013 | popularity 4.2 / 5 (5) | comments 0 | with audio podcast report

Geneticists find causes for severe childhood epilepsies

(Medical Xpress)—Using a state-of-the-art DNA sequencing technique, UA researchers have discovered genetic mutations underlying seizure disorders in previously undiagnosed children.

Neuroscience created May 07, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

Discovery holds potential in destroying drug-resistant bacteria

Through the serendipity of science, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered a potential treatment for deadly, drug-resistant bacterial infections that uses the same approach that HIV uses to infect cells. ...

Medical research created May 07, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast


A genetic disorder is an illness caused by abnormalities in genes or chromosomes, especially a condition that is present from before birth. Most genetic disorders are quite rare and affect one person in every several thousands or millions.

A genetic disorder may or may not be a heritable disorder. Some genetic disorders are passed down from the parents' genes, but others are always or almost always caused by new mutations or changes to the DNA. In other cases, the same disease, such as some forms of cancer, may be caused by an inherited genetic condition in some people, by new mutations in other people, and by non-genetic causes in still other people.

Some types of recessive gene disorders confer an advantage in certain environments when only one copy of the gene is present.

This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.

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Depression raises diabetics' risk of severe low blood sugar episodes

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Diabetes' genetic underpinnings can vary based on ethnic background, studies say

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Scientists discover cinnamon compounds' potential ability to prevent Alzheimer's

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Study reveals new mechanism for estrogen suppression of liver lipid synthesis

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Ferrets, pigs susceptible to H7N9 avian influenza virus

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When oxygen is short, EGFR prevents maturation of cancer-fighting miRNAs

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