Genetics Content

Discovery Hints at Genetic Basis for the Most Challenging Symptoms of Schizophrenia

Andy Fell — March 19, 2024 - 10:25am

Our understanding of schizophrenia has increased greatly in recent years, as studies of large groups of people have identified a multitude of genetic variants that increase a person’s risk of the disease.

A Mixed Origin Made Maize Successful

Andy Fell — November 30, 2023 - 11:00am

Maize is one of the world’s most widely grown crops. It is used for both human and animal foods and holds great cultural significance, especially for Indigenous peoples in the Americas. Yet despite its importance, the origins of the grain have been hotly debated for more than a century. Now new research, published Dec. 1 in Science, shows that all modern maize descends from a hybrid created just over 5,000 years ago in central Mexico, thousands of years after the plant was first domesticated.

More Genes, Fewer Toes: Were Gene Copies the Key to an Evolutionary Leap for Horses?

Andy Fell — June 12, 2023 - 10:25am

Eighteen million years ago, a genetic duplication event coincided with the evolutionary split between horses and their four-toed, forest-browsing ancestors. A recent study, led by Professor Danika Bannasch, Department of Population Health and Reproduction in the ��˽��̳�� Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, and graduate student Kevin Batcher investigated specific genetic duplications in horses, finding evidence of important roles for these elements and countering historical conventions that they have no f

Researchers Identify Genes Making Strawberries Resistant to Fusarium Wilt

Amy M Quinton — July 19, 2022 - 9:00am

��˽��̳�� Davis researchers discover genes that make strawberries resistant to the deadly disease Fusarium wilt.

Veterinary Genetics Lab Identifies Novel Mutation in Standardbred Horse

Andy Fell — June 08, 2022 - 2:16pm

The field of genetics has enabled us to predict susceptibility to heritable diseases and map the genome of many species. Now, modern genetics and the birth of a unique foal in New Zealand has provided a successful example of tracking a mutation at its origin.

The Conversation: How To Balance Community Needs With Research?

Karen Michele Nikos — April 22, 2022 - 3:34pm

A ��˽��̳�� Davis team of genetic researchers from the Henn Lab have worked among the Khoe-San in South Africa.

Study Challenges Evolutionary Theory That DNA Mutations Are Random

Amy M Quinton — January 12, 2022 - 8:00am

��˽��̳�� Davis researchers have found that DNA mutations are not random. This changes our understanding of evolution and could one day help researchers breed better crops or even help humans fight cancer.

Most Dog Breeds Highly Inbred

Amy M Quinton — December 02, 2021 - 11:15am

��˽��̳�� Davis study shows most dogs are highly inbred, which affects health.

Breeding Plants With Genes From 1 Parent

Andy Fell — November 19, 2021 - 11:00am

Scientists are a step closer to breeding plants with genes from only one parent. New research led by plant biologists at the University of California, Davis, published Nov. 19 in Science Advances, shows the underlying mechanism behind eliminating half the genome and could make for easier and more rapid breeding of crop plants with desirable traits such as disease resistance.

What’s a GMO Dinner?

Amy M Quinton — September 08, 2021 - 2:02pm

Rainbow papayas, non-bruising potatoes, pink pineapples, salmon and beer were just some of the GMO (genetically modified organism) foods served at an all-GMO dinner in Davis. The dinner was a prelude to the ��˽��̳�� Davis-hosted international Transgenic Animal Research Conference, which focuses on new developments in genetic engineering of animals.