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Image: Kiyoshi Takahase Segundo/PantherMedia Image: Kiyoshi Takahase Segundo/PantherMedia

Genetics and genomics

Both genetics and genomics are important for our understanding of health and disease. While genetics is the study of individual genes, genomics is the study of the entire set of a person's genes — their genome.

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All Content on this topic

Kogelbay Rugged Coast Line with spectacular mountains, Western Cape Province, South Africa

Kogelbay Rugged Coast Line with spectacular mountains, Western Cape Province, South Africa

Oldest human DNA from South Africa decoded

Study found that 10,000-year-old human genome is genetically similar to ethnic groups currently living in South Africa.

Illustration of DNA structure, a hand holding tweezers, removing or replacing a section of the genetic sequence

Illustration of DNA structure, a hand holding tweezers, removing or replacing a section of the genetic sequence

Closing the genomics gap: How to improve Indigenous health

Researchers are learning about gene variations in Latin America's Indigenous communities to improve medical treatments.

A woman carrying an ultrasound device

A woman carrying an ultrasound device

Cancer prevention: Would you want AI to predict your fate?

What happens if an AI test predicts we carry a disease-causing gene mutation?

A 55,000-year-old early human skull from the Manot Cave next to a Neanderthal skull and a modern human skull

A 55,000-year-old early human skull from the Manot Cave next to a Neanderthal skull and a modern human skull

Why you owe your life to a handful of early humans

Nearly all of our ancestors died some 900,000 years ago, according to an intriging new study. Just 1,280 survived.

3D-rendering of DNA

3D-rendering of DNA

The Human Genome: Global DNA data gets diversity bump

Scientists say they have added DNA diversity to our understanding of human genetics with new ‘pangenome’ data.

Microscope image of needle puncturing cell

Microscope image of needle puncturing cell

Designer babies already exist — their creator went to jail

Right or wrong, gene therapies are here to stay. How does gene editing work and what are its limits?

Modell Neandertaler

Modell Neandertaler

The small cave life of a Neanderthal community

A new study by recent Nobel Prize winner Svante Pääbo uses one of the largest samples of Neanderthal DNA ever sequenced

Need for diversity in genome sequencing

A majority of the DNA sequenced for research comes from donors of European ancestry, resulting in a knowledge gap.

A DNA model of the double helix

A DNA model of the double helix

Prime Editing: More precise genetic scissors?

Prime Editing takes a different approach to snipping DNA. The result: fewer errors and improved safety.

Symbolbild "Genfood"

Symbolbild "Genfood"

Is CRISPR-Cas9 actually "genetic engineering"?

On Wednesday the ECJ will decide whether CRISPR-Cas9 is "genetic engineering". What is the verdict about?

Ata Mumie

Ata Mumie

Atacama alien-mummy mystery solved

For 15 years people thought a mummified corpse found in the Atacama Desert was an alien. Science says they were wrong.

Bento Lab

Bento Lab

Why a mobile DNA lab is not just for Christmas

Bento Lab is DNA analysis and education in one. Co-founder Bethan Wolfenden says we all need to understand genetics.

human genome

human genome

Genome: what's mine is yours?

The Personal Genome Project wants 100,000 British volunteers to allow their genetic information to be uploaded online and made freely available to everyone. Some say it could help health research. But critics say it's a leap too far.