http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/keyword/genetics Inquiries Journal provides undergraduate and graduate students around the world a platform for the wide dissemination of academic work over a range of core disciplines. en-us Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:49:37 -0400 Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:49:37 -0400 http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1850/genetic-coevolution-transposable-elements-and-their-impact-on-disease-development-in-humans By Gillian K. McNeil - Transposable elements (TEs), also referred to as ‘jumping genes’, are sequences of DNA located in the eukaryotic genome that have the ability to mobilize. This functional mobilization allows TEs to insert at random positions throughout the genome. It is currently being investigated whether or not the genetic instability caused by these relocations has effectively promoted the development of diseases in human populations, including rare genetic conditions and various types of cancer. This paper will review the theorized system of evolution of TEs in the eukaryotic genome, and the potential... Mon, 14 Dec 2020 10:55 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1850/genetic-coevolution-transposable-elements-and-their-impact-on-disease-development-in-humans http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1800/intergenerational-intimate-partner-violence-pathways-of-genetic-and-environmental-interactions By Clare Choi - Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious public health issue that results in social, psychological, emotional, and physical consequences. Although interventions may be continuously designed to combat this problem, IPV must first be understood in an intergenerational perspective before effective programs can be put into place. Intimate partner violence is historically viewed as a social and private phenomenon, tinged with shame and stigma. Existing literature on this issue predominantly focuses on the social environment, leaning towards theories that put blame on the social environment the... Tue, 22 Sep 2020 05:31 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1800/intergenerational-intimate-partner-violence-pathways-of-genetic-and-environmental-interactions http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1772/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-an-analysis-of-genetic-and-biological-pathologies By Nicholas F. Schneider - This paper compiles and analyzes a series of published articles discussing some of the genetic and physiological principles of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), as well as provides insight into potential future investigations for furthering understanding of the underlying mechanisms of the disorder’s pathology. The paper discusses the lack of support for environmental factors contributing to the prevalence of OCD (Grisham et al., 2012), some of the genes under investigation as risk factors (Meira-Lima et al., 2004; Bienvenu et al., 2008; Zike et al., 2017), and details potential for future... Tue, 05 Nov 2019 09:48 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1772/obsessive-compulsive-disorder-an-analysis-of-genetic-and-biological-pathologies http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1748/studying-ancient-dna-to-understand-contemporary-disease By Wafaa Khatau - The study of DNA and genetics has always been a large mystery to many scientists. The current Ancient DNA (aDNA) research on human history is more complex than what can be inferred from modern DNA research. Scientists and researchers are constantly using modern day populations, and modern DNA to make inferences about past populations (Haber et al., 2016). With the new technologies available in ancient DNA, the study of past diseases and populations is more easily conducted with little to no contamination. Studying aDNA does not only tell us about current and past disease, but can also shed light... Thu, 20 Dec 2018 12:07 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1748/studying-ancient-dna-to-understand-contemporary-disease http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1507/genetics-pathology-and-potential-future-advances-in-the-study-of-huntingtons-disease By Matthew D. Rose - Huntington’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects around five people in every 100,000. It is caused by an increase in a polyglutamine region of the Huntingtin protein, resulting in a toxic gain of function mutation. However, the exact mechanism of pathogenesis, or even the exact role of the normal Huntingtin protein are not comprehensively understood. It is known that Huntingtin is ubiquitously expressed and has interactions with many different cellular components. Mutant Huntingtin has been extensively studied and its effects on cells noted but questions regarding... Tue, 13 Dec 2016 02:05 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1507/genetics-pathology-and-potential-future-advances-in-the-study-of-huntingtons-disease http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1422/the-crispr-fantasy-flaws-in-current-metaphors-of-gene-modifying-technology By Alex J. Maben - CRISPR gene-modifying technology continues to revolutionize fields involving biological research. Rapid advancements, however, have sparked a vibrant bioethical debate scene. This research focuses on the effective usage of CRISPR metaphors in scientific communication. Specifically, I argue that the current figurative terminology—gene editing, targeting, scissors, etc.—exhibit underlying oversimplifications that bias public perspectives on CRISPR. Though the actual experimental science occurs in lab, the world learns about the discoveries through literary expression. It is thus... Mon, 13 Jun 2016 10:59 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1422/the-crispr-fantasy-flaws-in-current-metaphors-of-gene-modifying-technology http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1313/the-epidemiology-pathogenesis-and-treatment-of-type-1-diabetes-mellitus By Ishita Aggarwal - Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), also known as insulin-dependent diabetes, is a chronic disease caused by autoimmune (type 1a) or spontaneous (type 1b) destruction of pancreatic beta cells, resulting in insulin deficiency. It is generally diagnosed in children before 20 years of age and is oftentimes fatal. This review will discuss the epidemiology of T1DM, including its incidence and prevalence, related temporal trends and risk factors for development. Furthermore, pathogenesis and immune system involvement of the disease will be evaluated, with a particular focus on cells of the adaptive and... Tue, 24 Nov 2015 08:38 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/1313/the-epidemiology-pathogenesis-and-treatment-of-type-1-diabetes-mellitus http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/914/gene-therapy-current-treatment-options-and-likely-near-term-developments By Mark T. Edwards - Gene therapy cells usually treats somatic cells and although originally devised to treat inherited disorders (Evans & Robbins, 1995), most gene therapy now benefits cancer patients. It is also used to treat acquired immune disorders, arthritis and hemophilia (Evans & Robbins, 1995; Mountain, 2000). Gene therapy is an attractive proposition since certain Ribonucleic acids (RNAs) or proteins provide effective treatments but are traditionally difficult to deliver effectively. Conventional treatments for some disorders are invasive, unpleasant, frequently ineffective and often have side effects... Mon, 15 Sep 2014 10:35 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/914/gene-therapy-current-treatment-options-and-likely-near-term-developments http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/894/molecular-detection-of-complex-vertebral-malformation-in-holstein-calves By Sahil Aggarwal - Complex vertebral malformation (CVM) in Holstein calves is a recessive syndrome that is the result of a transversion mutation within the SLC35A3 gene (Thomsen et al. 2006). Though a simple point mutation, this transversion results in high embryonic mortality and severe phenotypic abnormalities in surviving calves, such as growth retardation, vertebral malformation, and arthrogryposis (Agerholm et al. 2001). It is important to identify CVM carriers within the dairy market in order to effectively remove them from breeding centers and reduce the number of offspring with CVM. (Wang et al. 2012). CVM... Sun, 04 May 2014 01:04 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/894/molecular-detection-of-complex-vertebral-malformation-in-holstein-calves http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/752/understanding-the-flu-host-and-environmental-factors-associated-with-susceptibility-to-influenza-virus-induced-disease By Lauren M. Neighbours And Meagan F. Vaughn - Influenza virus infection is a worldwide public health burden because of the significant morbidity and mortality that result from seasonal outbreaks and devastating epidemics. Despite extensive research and therapeutic measures to combat influenza virus infections, the genetic and environmental factors that impact influenza virus-induced disease susceptibility remain poorly defined. Here we report the current state of knowledge regarding the host and environmental factors that impact influenza virus susceptibility. Mouse models of influenza virus infection have led to the identification of several... Sun, 01 Sep 2013 05:05 EDT http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/752/understanding-the-flu-host-and-environmental-factors-associated-with-susceptibility-to-influenza-virus-induced-disease http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/593/debating-genetics-as-a-predictor-of-criminal-offending-and-sentencing By Jeremy W. Wilson - Recent studies in behavioral genetics indicate that some violent criminals are genetically predisposed to violent behavior. One study has found that a mutation in the structural gene for monoamine oxidase A gives rise to an acute build-up of neurotransmitters associated with the body’s ‘fight or flight’ responses to stressful situations (Evansburg 2001). Many criminologists do not totally disregard genetic characteristics as a means of determining who will commit crimes but they do believe that “a genetic disorder may predispose an individual to aggressive behavior [but... Mon, 14 Nov 2011 10:05 EST http://www.inquiriesjournal.com/articles/593/debating-genetics-as-a-predictor-of-criminal-offending-and-sentencing