About 20 years ago, scientists discovered the gene that causes Huntington’s disease. The mutant form of the gene has many extra DNA repeats in the middle of the gene, but scientists have yet to determine how that extra length produces Huntington’s symptoms. In a new step toward answering that question, MIT biological engineers have found that the protein encoded by this mutant gene alters patterns of chemical modifications of DNA. MIT Associate Professor of Biological Engineering Ernest Fraenkel coauthored the paper with lead author, graduate student Christopher Ng. Read the full story here.
Ng is lead author of research paper on Huntington’s disease gene
February 7, 2013
