Jennifer Doudna wins 2020 Nobel Prize in chemistry
October 7, 2020
Jennifer Doudna, UC Berkeley and UCSF professor and Berkeley Lab faculty scientist, shares the prize with Emmanuelle Charpentier for their discovery of CRISPR-Cas9 as a tool for making targeted changes to the genome.
Scientists achieve first complete assembly of human X chromosome
July 16, 2020
The first end-to-end, completely gapless DNA sequence of a human chromosome is a major milestone for genomics.
UC Berkeley launches trial of saliva test for COVID-19
June 30, 2020
Saliva can be gathered without medical supervision, unlike current tests, which saves time, money and precious PPE.
Researchers forge a new weapon to fight parasites and other infections
March 11, 2020
‘It’s a first step toward fulfilling the promise of the genomics era to inform how we combat disease,’ lead researcher says.
Most comprehensive study of whole cancer genomes completed
February 6, 2020
The Pan-Cancer Project discovers causes of unexplained cancers and zeros in on mechanisms of development.
Why are humans the only species prone to heart attacks?
July 23, 2019
Gene loss 2 to 3 million years ago may explain why coronary events are common in humans but rare in other animals.
Scientists chart course toward a new world of synthetic biology
June 27, 2019
Genetically engineered trees that provide fire-resistant lumber for homes? We're on the cusp of a revolution.
The first genome surgeons
October 25, 2018
CRISPR opens door to new type of medicine: “genome surgery.”
Cracking the sugar code: Why the ‘glycome’ is the next big thing in health and medicine
September 6, 2018
The long sugar chains covering our cells could provide answers to cancer, aging and autoimmune diseases.
Finding Ebola before it finds you
August 30, 2018
For the first time, scientists discover a new Ebola species in a host prior to detection in an infected human or animal.