For years, scientists have searched for the genetic roots of disease by focusing on the parts of DNA that act like instruction manuals for making proteins. These regions, known as coding genes, have been the main characters in genetic research. But a new discovery is shifting that narrative and shining…
Most people around the world are infected at some point with the Epstein Barr virus, or EBV. It usually causes mild illness or no symptoms at all and then stays quietly in the body for life. Yet in a small number of people, EBV is linked to cancers such as…
Autoimmune diseases—like thyroid disease, lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis—happen when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks itself. For years, doctors have thought this was mainly due to the immune system becoming “overactive” or poorly regulated. But this new study suggests something deeper—and more surprising—is going on. Scientists have discovered that in…
Kidney failure is a serious condition affecting millions of people worldwide, and for many, a transplant offers the best chance at a healthier life. Yet, in a surprisingly large number of cases, doctors do not know exactly why a person’s kidneys failed in the first place. This uncertainty can make…
Genetic diseases, especially rare inherited conditions, can be difficult and time-consuming to diagnose. Traditionally, doctors tested one gene at a time or used limited gene panels, often leading to long delays—sometimes called a “diagnostic odyssey.” A newer method, short-read whole genome sequencing (srWGS), reads nearly all of a person’s DNA…
