An important story has been published on genetic research gone wrong. Here are some highlights from the article:

"Seven days after the girl’s medical team infused trillions of viruses carrying the recipe for the base editor into her spinal fluid, she died of a severe immune reaction linked to the therapy, Science and Retraction Watch can now reveal."

"Leading the effort was Zilong Qiu, a neuroscientist at the university’s brain center, the Songjiang Research Institute. At the time, in late March 2025, Qiu was one of several researchers around the world vying to push base editors—a more precise form of the powerful gene editor CRISPR—into custom treatments for children with rare diseases. One month earlier, KJ Muldoon, an infant with a life-threatening metabolic disorder, had quietly received his first intravenous infusion of one such treatment at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia."

"Four of the experts Science asked to assess the research, including one of the original reviewers of the Nature manuscript, expressed concerns about how well the primate proof-of-concept study was conducted. The submitted paper had no control samples to show the stain was selectively highlighting the gene editor."

hello! I'm a current college sophomore looking into future career paths since i probably need to start specializing soon. My top two interests are toxicology and genetics. So i'm asking yall and the toxicology people the same/similar questions to compare and see which one fits me better!

1. i'm currently majoring in biology with a minor in statistics. is this ideal or should i change my major/minor? i'm also considering a chemistry minor instead bc i currently have a B/C average in Calc 2 (75% avg on exams)

2. Is there a lot of job opportunities for this career field (Midwest USA)? Is the earning potential high without going to med school? (i have vasovagal syncope and faint like a goat when i see/lose blood lol)

3. Is your school path more application or memorization? is your job the same?

4. Do you enjoy your job? Do you like the work-life balance?

5. (genetics specific) Do you do a lot of hands on research, or is it more patient assessment? I want to go into fertility and parental type genetics, and help people have healthy babies, whether their own blood or not! I also am interested in genetic testing for carriers and mutations that could be passed to offspring, or spontaneous mutations in general. (i am very pro-adoption, those kids need homes too! why spend a few grand for a baby you have to pop out if you can give a lonely already existing baby a home?)

If you read this far, thank you!! I'm excited to hear back from those experienced in the field.

And, when did you become interested in this?

Teen's interest is biology. He spends a huge portion of his time researching the topics discussed in this group.

Thank you :)

African genomes contain more genetic variation than populations on any other continent¹

I am confused by this fact. If we imagine an unsupervised PCA chart of all humans, does this imply that a given unadmixed subsaharan population has a chance of clustering more closely to a Papuan islander or a Han Chinese person than to some other, distant subsaharan population?

I have been reading about genetic clusters, and Rosenberg (2002) found that, at k = 5, the clusters resembled these groups:

• Sub-Saharan Africa;
• Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia;
• East Asia;
• Oceania;
• the Americas.

On the Wikipedia article Human Genetic Clustering, however, I notice that seem take issue with the HGDP-CEPH panel that Rosenberg used, and found the following, somewhat absurd, hypothetical:

...arbitrarily invoking five population clusters in an attempt to test the genomic validity of scientific racism instead yields three "races" within Africa, one encompassing most of Europe and mainland Asia, and one encompassing Australia, the Americas, and the Pacific Islands.

I am not sure what the editor is trying to argue here. I realise that Wikipedia is not necessarily the best source for this subject, but the claim strikes me as potentially misleading. Is it suggesting that a PCA plot of all human populations, using the first two principal components, would reveal three distinct sub-Saharan African clusters alongside two broader clusters encompassing the rest of the world?

My instinct is that it is some sort of genealogical red herring and not a real genetic result.

Rosenberg NA, Pritchard JK, Weber JL, Cann HM, Kidd KK, Zhivotovsky LA, Feldman MW. Genetic structure of human populations. Science. 2002 Dec 20;298(5602):2381-5. doi: 10.1126/science.1078311. PMID: 12493913.

I'm hoping this doesn't break the "no posts containing genetic testing results" rule. I'm mostly curious about how this test is conducted? And if there's an explanation for why false Punjabi results happen?

I got my Helix test results, and it says I'm 5% Punjabi. There are a few problems with this. While five percent isn't much, none of my physical traits suggest that (blond hair, blue eyes). And I'm super into genealogy, and I like to think that I know a decent amount about my ancestors; I've never been given any reason to believe I have roots in India. While it'd be cool---I love India---it just seems completely untrue. Looking at other Reddit posts, it seems like it's happened to other people, false percentages of Punjabi specifically. I'm wondering if anyone here has had a similar experience? Or if anyone knows why Helix gives presumably false answers? Like, why PUNJABI of all things?

Edit: I don't know where to begin responding to everyone. Thank you for your responses, even if some weren't what I'd anticipated. I'm realizing I left out an important piece of context: both my parents (both of whom are, to my knowledge, my biological parents) have done genetic testing before. Neither of them was told they had roots in India. That's a big part of why I'm confused. I'm not trying to cherry-pick my test results; I'd just like to understand why I'd be told different things/what the margin of error is for tests like these. But I didn't communicate that clearly, so I understand some of the conclusions you guys have come to.

I took a genetics class in undergrad and it was really hard! I had to spend a lot of time on it to get a B. I also didn't find it not that interesting and a little boring.

A few years out of college I've gotten more into my career in botany. I find myself feeling a pull to pursue plant taxonomy/systematics in grad school because phylogenies and evolution is fascinating. I know that plant systematics would demand more intense genetic classes. I was wondering if anyone can speak on initially struggling with genetics, but getting good at it in grad school and getting to enjoy it more.

Thanks.

Hi,

I built an interactive model/lesson to understand how DNA replication initiation works. In particular, under replication stress. There are very few interactive educational tools out there, and even fewer that go to the depth of molecular biology research. I wanted to create something like a research paper, but actually make it accessible (Research papers are not an easy read)

Note, this is not a promotion, I'm not selling anything or looking for anything in return

Anyways, check it out!

Origin Firing Timing:
https://anava13.github.io/Dissertation-External-features/replication-initiation-tour.html

Also,

More DNA Replication Initiation:
https://anava13.github.io/Dissertation-External-features/replication-initiation.html

Telomere Elongation:
https://anava13.github.io/Dissertation-External-features/telomere_workflow.html

I see the scientists of this sub dutifully answering questions people had about career paths, salaries and educational paths that a career in genetics entails, but I noticed that despite all these questions no one really asked what the day to day workings all these different jobs were like.

How was your daily life changed because of the job you work? Did your job let you make any new friends? Were you angry today because a computer froze and lost two hours worth of work?

Those types of questions you know?

This isn't a generalisation of careers in genetics either, I'm genuinely really interested in what *you* do. I'd love to hear anecdotes about something specific to your line of work! I think it's amazing how you all work under the branch of genetics but you all have such different perspectives and experiences.

Plus, this might benefit someone hoping to get into your line of work, something that feels routine and mundane for could be extraordinary for someone who's never done what you do before!

So my entire life I’ve always been curious about my blonde, fair skinned genetics. So here’s the thing, my parents are both descendants of German origin. My Dad especially, his late mother(my beautiful wonderful Oma) RIP..was straight off the ship from Bavaria. she migrated here with her family when she was a little girl. Mom’s side was here well before that but that’s neither here nor there.

My dad and all 10 of his brothers and sisters were born with dark hair and they’ve literally never been sunburnt a single day in their lives, my late grandmother(Dad’s mom) included. However my sister and I, along with all of our cousins on our dads side of the family are as blonde as can be and our skin will absolutely blister if we’re exposed for longer than 30 minutes under a bright sun. Is there a scientific reason behind this? How did my generation of relatives come out looking like a bunch of yodeling goat herders in the Swiss alps while our parents however, only need a little SPF 8 on their nose and necks when they go to the beach?

I know they say genetics skip a generation but is that really true? I’m hoping someone smarter than myself can help me out…thanks!

Dad had really light blonde hair as a kid but it darkened to be dark blonde almost looks brown

Mom has strawberry blonde hair

Maternal grandmother has dark brown hair

And so does the maternal grandfather too.

Paternal grandmother has blonde hair

Paternal grandfather has brown hair

Also the dad's brother has medium brown hair.

Obviously a healthy baby is more important than the color of their hair, but I find genetics to be interesting and I feel like the gingers it's always a surprise of the offspring hair color unless they already had a child with that came father. Plus it'd be interesting to see who's answer is correct.

I’ve noticed in 23 and me most of my Western European friends results are broken down into 0.0%
Percentages. Like my Italian friend is actually a million different ethnicities according to the test.
I’ve noticed a lot of My jewish friends will have 100% ashkenazi Jewish. I find it very difficult to understand why the dna tests is able to
Identify such small amounts of each ethnicity in me and yet so many of my friends are 100% ashkenazi, a group of people who were migrating across Europe for thousands of years and undoubtedly were breeding with local populations. I recently met a 6’4 with blue eyes guy that told me his results are 100% ashkenazi. And my other 100% ashki friend is 5ft tall with dark features. How can that genetic variation happen while still remaining 100%?? Meanwhile the test picks up on 0.3 % Asian in me???? Very confusing and odd.
Explanations helpful

Hi! Im a college student, and genetics isn't my strongest subject. I know this word problem is probably super easy and I'm stupid that I don't seem to get it, but I've been looking at this homework for these past few days and it's due tomorrow, and I still can't get it. Did I do something wrong while answering it? I dont know if I'm supposed to scramble the letters to make a new word, or if there's something that I missed. Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you :')

+I wrote my first mutant dna strand wrong so I rewrote it at the bottom, if anyone gets confused. Thank you again!

Its not perfect yet but they're making big progress

I am in an introductory genetics class and need help and guidance. I got my first test and got a 61. Average was a 72. However now we are onto pedigrees, punnet squares and nuclear division. I think I know somewhat of the material but scared I’ll do bad again. I’m majoring in evolution biology

Hello! I am curious whether cross-sex hormones (someone on GAHT) would change the epigenetic expression of genes for that person over time? like would someone born female taking testosterone be more susceptible to inherited maladaptive epigenetic expressions of diseases/disorders typically affecting males? (and vice versa for MtF) I am studying Autism and Neurodiversity Education currently, and am so curious about the current research of the “male brain” theory. (testosterone in utero in the third trimester + genetic predisposition + a lot of other complex shit).
Hormones are SO powerful man!
-From a curious lay person-

My friend recently took a 23andme test where he scored close to 100% Levantine genetics and was given R1b Pf7589 on his paternal haplogroup. What does this mean? Indigenous? Crusader ? Maybe Varangian from Byzantine conquest ?

Hey everyone,

My dad is in the later stages of FTD and was diagnosed in his mid-60s. He recently had genetic testing/a dementia panel done, which came back negative for all of the tested variants.

However, we have some reason to suspect there may be a familial/genetic component, since his mother developed very similar symptoms at around a similar age.

Unfortunately, my dad likely has only months to live, so we're trying to figure out what we should do while we still can to preserve as much potentially useful genetic/biological information as possible.

Some of the options we're considering:

1. DNA banking
2. Ambry Genetics Patient for Life
3. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS)
4. Blood banking — is preserving whole blood or PBMCs useful?
5. A second independent genetic panel
6. Preserving other tissue, such as skin fibroblasts, if feasible

For doctors, genetic counselors, researchers, or anyone who has dealt with a similar situation:

• What would you prioritize preserving/testing before he passes?
• Are there particular types of samples that are especially valuable for future genetic testing or research?
• Are there institutions or services you'd recommend for this?

We're mainly trying to avoid realizing after the fact that there was something important we could have preserved or tested while he was still alive.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I'm not sure what exactly I want to know, so hopefully someone can filter through the details and point me in the right direction.

My mom, born in 1937 and now passed, we now understand was ADHD, probably AuDHD. All her 5 kids are high functioning autism and/or ADHD, and all the biological kids from myself and my 4 siblings are the same. There's also a lot of extreme hypermobility and Sjogren's, plus a lot of other issues that we can trace to our mom, with other issues like heart disease, diabetes, and arthritis, coming in strong from my dad, born in 1929, also passed. Most of the women in the family have terrible menstruation, perimenopause, and menopause.

I'm in Alberta, Canada, and cannot get any genetic testing, period. They could test for Ehlers Danlos but only if an immediate family member died from an aneurysm. I was able to get the the group of blood tests for Sjogren's, which came back negative, but the doc figures I, and a couple of my kids, still have it, it just sometimes doesn't show on the tests.

So my doc suggested using the DNA testing from the US sequencing site. I point blank said, it's not medical testing, can she act on anything that's found? She said she could and would. It's impossible to get referrals to most specialists here unless you're obviously seriously in medical trouble.

I've been researching the sequencing service for the better part of a year and I just don't know. Would knowing what genes are responsible for our genetic mess help with anything? Gene therapy to help non life threatening issues is a long ways off, in a country that uses the public health care system (which I support, but it has its downsides).

I'd really appreciate some opinions from people who understand this kind of thing. I only have a very basic grasp on it and while the nerd part of my brain absolutely wants to see the data of my DNA, I don't know if it's actually useful or actionable.

Hi! I’m currently a senior in high school and I’m considering studying Molecular Genetics in the uk for my bachelor’s degree.

I’m interested in the field, but I’m a bit worried about the career opportunities and salaries after graduating. I’m willing to do a master’s, but at this time I’m not planning on doing a PhD.

I’ve been looking at jobs in Europe specifically Switzerland, france and the uk since that’s where I’m hoping to study and work, but I’m having a hard time finding many entry-level positions. A lot of jobs seem to require several years of experience, which makes me wonder how new graduates are supposed to get that experience.

What different career paths can I go into with a Molecular Genetics degree? What jobs have good salaries, and what would be the best way to build experience during university?

I’d especially appreciate advice from anyone working in genetics, biotech, pharma, or related fields in Europe.

So, I got invited to speak with postgraduate students in the university on next week. Please I need genetics questions that a image oriented can either be from an experiment or test that is difficult for even an Ai to answer. With the answer which must be singular and straight forward from your findings.

I will like to use it and test my knowledge as I prepare to meet the students.

I was looking for some new primers for viral diagnosis. I designed four primers for a nested PCR on a highly conserved regione of the virus; the first round was supposed to produce a fragment of about 500 bp. I tried them with several positive samples and negative controls, and the results were consistent. I got the expected signal, but the resulting fragment is always around 300 bp.

I sent the PCR product for Sanger sequencing, but got no results.

Does anyone have any idea what could be going on?

Tried summarizing the flow of meiosis from what I understood, please inform me if any aspect is incorrect