Topic description and stories

Plaster reconstructions of the skulls of human ancestors

Genetic study reveals hidden chapter in human evolution

18 Mar 2025

Modern humans descended from not one, but at least 2 ancestral populations that drifted apart and later reconnected, long before modern humans spread...

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Labrador licking nose

Scientists identify genes that make humans and Labradors more likely to become obese

06 Mar 2025

Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered genes linked to obesity in both Labradors and humans. They say the effects can be over-...

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Illustration of a woman getting a breast screening test

Back to BRCA: the discovery of a breast cancer risk gene

07 Oct 2024

In 1994, a landmark paper identified a gene – BRCA1 – that significantly increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancers when faulty. Thirty years...

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Dr Alex Cagan outside the Department of Genetics

The master of mutations

29 Jul 2024

Dr Alex Cagan – illustrator, geneticist and explorer of animal DNA – is offering a new perspective on the tapestry of life. His work has profound...

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English Shepherd puppy

New genetic test will eliminate a form of inherited blindness in dogs

22 Jul 2024

Cambridge scientists have identified the genetic mutation that causes progressive retinal atrophy in English Shepherd Dogs, which results in...

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Woman with obesity washing food

Scientists identify rare gene variants that confer up to 6-fold increase in risk of obesity

04 Apr 2024

Cambridge researchers have identified genetic variants in two genes that have some of the largest impacts on obesity risk discovered to date.

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Two women holding pink ribbons

International collaboration identifies new breast cancer susceptibility genes

17 Aug 2023

A large-scale international collaboration has identified new genes associated with breast cancer that could eventually be included in tests to...

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Illustration of brain anatomy

Largest genetic study of brain structure identifies how the brain is organised

17 Aug 2023

The largest ever study of the genetics of the brain – encompassing some 36,000 brain scans – has identified more than 4,000 genetic variants linked...

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Know your HIV status sign in Simonga village, Zambia.

Genetic variant linked to lower levels of HIV virus in people of African ancestry

02 Aug 2023

An international team of researchers has found a genetic variant that may explain why some people of African ancestry have naturally lower viral...

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Children playing tug of war

Largest ever DNA and health research programme for children and young people launches

25 Jul 2023

Cambridge researchers are helping launch a nationwide study for children and young people to unlock the power of our DNA.

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Woman with multiple sclerosis in a wheelchair using her phone

Scientists identify first genetic marker for MS severity

28 Jun 2023

A study of more than 22,000 people with multiple sclerosis has discovered the first genetic variant associated with faster disease progression, which...

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Dog in hay barn

Preventing genetic diseases in dogs, our best friends

20 Apr 2023

How genetics and DNA testing can pave the way for more puppies to be born free from hereditary illnesses.

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