Naked Genetics

40 years ago Richard Dawkins' The Selfish Gene hit the shelves. We look back on its legacy

We find out how signals between cells build organisms.

Is the public ready to look inside its genes?

Your health, immune system and even love-life are governed by compatibility genes.

What do home genetic tests really reveal? Plus, the four-legged genetics of dogs.

Are we on the road to designer babies? Plus, we unpack the latest cancer breakthrough.

CRISPR is a precision set of genome editing tools with big implications for human health

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.