Naked Genetics

This month we bring you a bumper edition full of our favourite bits from the past 4 years.

Synthetic biology - engineering life - is set to revolutionise the world, but how?

Elephants are made up of many more cells than humans, but don't get cancer. Why?

Imagine designing bacteria that can do whatever you want - this is synthetic biology.

To figure out which genes are linked to diseases, researchers have to go large.

There's more to life than four letters of DNA: our genes are marked with a chemical 'tag'.

How do different types of cells know which genes to use? The answer lies in epigenetics.

For centuries, enthusiastic breeders have selected plants or animals with desirable traits

You may not realise it, but all the food you eat has been genetically altered over time.

Guarding the genes in our crops is vital to ensure food for the future.

We look at the UK government's plan to sequence the genomes of 100,000 people

Genetically modified, or GM, crops are a hot topic. But what's the science behind the hype

How do mice learn tasks like playing the piano? And why do flies drink after a hangover?

Scientists are getting close to finding the engram, where memories are stored in the brain

A new generation of targeted cancer therapies are bringing hope for future cures.

Could we one day be popping pills that tweak our metabolism and make us live longer?

We all want to live long, healthy lives - this month we find out how genetics can help.

We investigate the genetics of vision, and how researchers are helping the blind see.

New technology means more genetic testing, but what are the issues?

Twenty years ago, gene therapy was a great hope for the future of medicine - progress has been slow but things may now...

Are our brains a product of nature or nurture, and how does learning change them?

Around one in four adults in the UK experiences mental health problems in any year, but what do we know about the genes...

We find out how DNA gets damaged and repaired. Plus liver from skin cells, DNA from ancient teeth, and a scary little...

We take a look at the genetics of smell. Plus, contagious cancer, gene therapy for blindness, and a slimy gene of the...