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Showing posts with the label Gene Regulation

Scientists Discover HAR123 — The DNA “Switch” That May Help Make Human Brains Unique

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  Scientists have zeroed in on HAR123, a short stretch of noncoding DNA classified as a human-accelerated region (HAR). In lab and animal models, HAR123 behaves like a transcriptional enhancer—a regulatory “volume control” that fine-tunes when and how nearby genes switch on during brain development. Tinkering with this enhancer shifts neural progenitor cell dynamics and alters performance on tasks linked to cognitive flexibility, offering a rigorous, testable clue to how human brains diverged from those of our primate relatives. What Are HARs—and Why HAR123 Matters Human-accelerated regions (HARs) are tiny DNA sequences that stayed stable across mammals for tens of millions of years, then changed unusually fast on the human lineage after we split from chimpanzees. Most HARs don’t code for proteins; instead, many act as regulatory elements that modulate gene expression—crucial during development. Think of them as control dials, not blueprints. The latest breakthrough pinpoints one ...

DNA, Genes, Chromosomes, Gene Regulation, and Expression - Complete Scientific Article

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  Below is a comprehensive article exploring DNA, genes, chromosomes, gene regulation, and expression. It covers foundational concepts, mechanisms, and real-world examples, written for a general audience with an interest in molecular biology.   DNA, genes, and chromosomes form the foundation of genetics, governing how living organisms develop, function, and pass traits from one generation to the next. At the heart of this system is DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), the molecule that encodes the instructions for life. Genes, specific segments of DNA, carry the codes for producing proteins and functional RNA molecules, while chromosomes are the structures that organize and package DNA within cells. Understanding how genes are regulated and expressed is key to explaining how cells control which proteins are made, when, and in what quantities. This process is essential for everything from embryonic development to the body’s response to disease.   This article provides an i...