immune system

Neanderthals were actually quite similar to modern humans and exhibited complex social behaviors, so what would you feed a Neanderthal for Thanksgiving.

23andMe research finds genetic associations for vulnerability to the most common infectious diseases.

As a group, Ashkenazi Jews have distinct genetic characteristics that carry important implications for health. In addition to having higher rates of certain rare genetic disorders, people with Ashkenazi ancestry are also at increased risk for some complex conditions like Crohn's disease. A recent study highlights genetic factors associated with Crohn's disease in Ashkenazi Jewish populations.

Sometimes called the “itch that rashes”, atopic dermatitis, or eczema, is a relatively common condition, affecting up to one in five children and one in 30 adults. Although atopic dermatitis appears to run in families, the genetics underlying this condition are not well understood. New findings published in December in Nature Genetics by lead author Lavinia Paternoster now add more genetic variants to the picture.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a common autoimmune disease in which the individual’s own immune system attacks the lining of the joints, causing stiffness and muscle aches. Like other autoimmune diseases, development...

Leprosy is a chronic, disabling disease caused by a bacterium (Mycobacterium leprae) that infects only humans and armadillos. The disease affects the skin and peripheral nerves, leading to sores, numbness...

SNPwatch gives you the latest news about research linking various traits and conditions to individual genetic variations. These studies are exciting because they offer a glimpse into how genetics may...