The signals that cells use to switch genes on have remained almost unchanged across two billion years of evolution, but the ones used to switch genes off vary dramatically from one branch of life to another, according to research of several major branches of life that have been largely absent from studies to date, including lineages such as discobans, rhizarians, ichtyosporeans and cryptomonads. The work helps understand how genomes evolved on Earth and could have implications for medical research into diseases involving faulty gene regulation.

A Swansea University researcher whose work could help create more inclusive icons and symbols for neurodivergent people has been awarded a prestigious scholarship to present her findings at a leading international psychology conference.

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive malignancy with limited treatment options and poor prognosis. Understanding the molecular drivers of SCLC is essential for developing effective therapies. This study identified FAK splicing variants as a novel feature of SCLC that promote tumor progression and confer therapy resistance. Targeting these variants sensitized SCLC cells to treatment, revealing a promising therapeutic vulnerability. These findings provide new insights into SCLC biology and suggest potential therapeutic strategies for this difficult-to-treat cancer.

Glycomics, the comprehensive study of glycans and glycoconjugates, has emerged as a powerful tool for disease biomarker discovery. Changes in glycosylation patterns accompany many pathological processes, reflecting alterations in cellular metabolism and function. This review presents insights from cohort studies that have linked specific glycan signatures to disease risk, progression, and outcomes. We discuss the potential of glycomics for precision medicine and early disease detection. The integration of glycomics with other omics approaches promises to enhance our understanding of disease mechanisms and improve diagnostic capabilities.

Chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) represent significant global health burdens. Genetic factors contribute substantially to ESRD susceptibility, yet much of the heritability remains unexplained. This X chromosome-wide association study (XWAS) identified novel loci on the X chromosome associated with ESRD risk. Our findings expand the genetic architecture of kidney disease and may inform future therapeutic targets. The study highlights the importance of including the X chromosome in genetic association studies, as it harbors variants that may contribute to disease susceptibility.

Shortly after transcription initiation, RNA polymerase II (Pol II) pauses near gene promoters before entering productive elongation, representing a key regulatory step in gene expression. In the recent study published in Science Bulletin, researchers from the Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, combined acute protein degradation with genome-wide analyses to capture the immediate functions of the transcription factor GABPA in mouse embryonic stem cells. They discovered that, independently of its canonical partner GABPB, GABPA recruits the Integrator complex to promoter regions, thereby promoting productive transcription elongation. The study uncovers an unexpected role for a classical transcription factor and reveals how the Integrator complex is selectively recruited to specific genes.

Dr Lana Ciarniello is an independent wildlife research biologist and co-chair of the IUCN SSC Bear Specialist Group's human-bear conflict expert team. She is currently the principal investigator for the Orphaned Grizzly Bear Rewilding Project, which is the only rehabilitation and research program for grizzly bears in North America. In a new Frontiers in Conservation Science article, Ciarniello explores why current attempts to rehabilitate orphaned grizzly bears to the wilderness might be backfiring. Based on her findings from five years of monitoring rehabilitated grizzly cubs, she poses the question of whether rehabilitation programs in their current form are an effective conservation tool or sympathetic management.