Research on how genomes change over time. Covers hidden DNA structure, chromosome bursts in cancer, plant pangenomes, and microbial adaptation.
Researchers found that rare C-to-G mutations occurred at an unexpectedly high frequency during the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 delta variant, contributing to its increased transmissibility. The study analyzed publicly available genome sequences and found that the delta lineage contained two C-to-G transversions in its spike protein.
Researchers have created the first comprehensive atlas of DNA's physical properties, revealing how its sequence influences genome regulation and evolution. The study analyzed 2,080 unique DNA fragments and found that certain sequences can preserve physical properties necessary for DNA function, potentially influencing genome evolution.
A recent study reveals that cancer cells within tumors are genetically diverse, yet all carry the same core genetic changes. The research found that these changes occur in sudden bursts, creating distinct subpopulations that influence tumor aggressiveness and treatment response.
The study sequenced and decoded the complete genetic information of rose plants, producing the first rose pangenome. This reveals a complex evolutionary history shaped by gene transfer and environmental adaptations.
Researchers found two strategies used by bacteria to colonize new habitats: acquiring new traits and reducing genome size. This study sheds light on the evolutionary biology of soil microbes, revealing unexpected results about their adaptation to freshwater environments.
A new study has discovered over 2.3 million conserved non-coding sequences in plants, providing a comprehensive atlas of regulatory conservation across 284 species. These sequences date back to over 400 million years ago, shedding light on the evolution of plant genomes and gene families.
Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo found that European eels have restored aquaporin proteins with broad solute permeability through a recent gene duplication event. The study revealed that the genes Aqp10.2b2 and b3 acquired functional diversification, enabling them to transport urea and boric acid similar to Aqp10.1.
Researchers found that mammalian cells can absorb and rearrange DNA fragments from dying cells, creating complex genetic structures with novel functions. These 'satellite genomes' challenge traditional views of genomics and evolution.
MSK researchers have developed a new method to study treatment resistance in high-grade serous ovarian cancer. By analyzing blood samples from 18 patients, they identified subpopulations of cancer cells with distinctive genetic features that contribute to recurrence. This approach may help develop targeted treatments for specific vulne...
A new bioinformatics-based method, fDOG, has been developed to search for genes with certain functions, including those involved in plant cell wall degradation. The study reveals a detailed global map of enzymes capable of degrading plant cell walls, with surprising discoveries among fungi and animals.
Researchers from University of Zurich and Basel decode historical specimen to understand how 1918-1920 influenza pandemic evolved in Europe. The Swiss genome reveals three key adaptations that made the virus more resistant to human immunity and more infectious.
Researchers analyzed genomic data from over 2,700 Indians to reconstruct evolutionary history, revealing ancestry tied to Neolithic Iranian farmers, Eurasian Steppe pastoralists, and South Asian hunter-gatherers. The study highlights the impact of ancient migrations on genetic variation and disease susceptibility.
A new study compares the genome sequence of bed bugs that live with humans and those that don't, finding that human-associated bed bugs recovered and increased in population size over time. The research suggests that humans may have inadvertently led to the emergence of modern bed bug pests.
Researchers found evidence that introners, a type of selfish gene, are responsible for spreading genetic complexity across species. The study revealed eight instances of horizontal gene transfer between unrelated species, suggesting that introners may hitchhike on giant viruses to transfer between species.
The study reveals that eukaryogenesis occurred abruptly at a critical gene length of 1,500 nucleotides, marking the emergence of the eukaryotic cell. This phase transition was algorithmic, driven by the tension between increasing gene length and protein complexity.
Researchers created a timeline for bacterial evolution and oxygen adaptation using genomic data, fossils, and Earth's geochemical history. Their findings suggest that some bacteria could use trace oxygen long before evolving photosynthesis.
William Murphy, a genomicist at Texas A&M University, was named the 2025 SEC Professor of the Year. He studies genome structure, function and evolution to understand genetic basis of species traits and diseases.
A new study reveals that the transition from water to land occurred multiple times in arachnids, with whole-genome duplication playing a key role in shaping traits like silk production and venom synthesis. This finding provides a foundation for future genetic and evolutionary studies.
Researchers mapped yerba mate's genome, discovering an ancestor that duplicated its genome 50 million years ago. This event led to the evolution of caffeine biosynthesis in yerba mate and coffee through convergent pathways. The study provides opportunities for creating plant varieties with new characteristics.
Hainan Island's unique floristic division is a result of its southeast movement since the Oligocene. The island's phylogenetic patterns support an anti-clockwise rotation during this movement, influenced by land bridge connections with China mainland after the Middle Miocene.
A new study explores how city life is influencing the evolution of urban coyotes, revealing genetic changes related to diet, health, thermoregulation, behavior, cognition, and reproduction. The research also highlights the challenges of studying urban coyotes, which are increasingly common in urban areas throughout the US.
This review highlights the transformative capabilities of single-cell and spatial genomics, providing critical insights into disease mechanisms and developing innovative therapies. The technologies enable comprehensive cell atlases, tracing the evolution of sequencing methods and incorporating multi-omics approaches, which significantl...
Researchers have reconstructed the evolutionary origin of the complex configuration of multiple sex chromosomes in echidnas using their nearly gapless genome sequence. The high-quality data helped trace genetic events that led to this remarkable chromosomal arrangement, including chromosome fusion and fission events.
Research on hornwort genomes uncovers the secrets of plant evolution, revealing stable autosomes despite deep evolutionary history. The study also identifies dynamic accessory chromosomes and potential sex chromosomes, providing insights into plant reproductive strategies and adaptation to environmental challenges.
A new study reveals that bacteria species in Lake Mendota rapidly evolve over time, responding to changing seasonal conditions. The researchers found that hundreds of separate species would return almost fully to near copies of their genetic predecessors after a thousand or so generations of evolutionary pressures.
A joint research group clarifies a key mechanism of how retrotransposons preferentially insert in the centromere. The findings reveal strong integration biases for certain genetic elements, shedding light on rapid genome evolution.
The study traces the evolutionary history of brown algae through genomic analysis, highlighting their role in sustaining coastal habitats and combating climate change. The research also identifies practical applications in aquaculture, biotechnology, and ecosystem restoration.
A genomic analysis reveals eight different sex chromosomes in 11 species of the frog, indicating unique and newly evolved genes for male or female sexual differentiation. This unexpected variation allows researchers to explore rapid evolution in sex determination, with possible 'on-off switch' genes orchestrating sexual differentiation.
A study published in PLOS Biology found that the fungal pathogen causing coffee wilt disease took up segments of DNA from a related species, F. oxysporum, contributing to successive outbreaks. This horizontal gene transfer event likely contributed to the repeated emergence of the disease on the African continent.
Researchers have discovered that seemingly 'broken' genes in coronaviruses are retained due to their functional role beyond protein production. These extra genes help control the activity of other viral genes.
Iowa State researchers discovered a surprising chromatin arrangement in two species of turtles, which may shed light on the evolution of vertebrate genomes. The study's findings could have potential biomedical applications, such as treating strokes or cryogenic preservation of human tissues.
The study of turtle genomes provides crucial information for the development of effective conservation strategies and the understanding of the evolution of sex chromosomes. Researchers have identified a novel three-dimensional chromatin conformation in both lineages, allowing for centromere-telomere interactions.
A new species, Senecio squalidus, emerged in the UK after crossbreeding of two plants native to Mount Etna. Genetic analysis shows a rapid reorganization of its genome, driving its unique survival in challenging environments.
Scientists have successfully sequenced the genome of the spur-thighed tortoise, a threatened land turtle species, using a reference assembly method. The genome sequencing will enable conservation efforts and provide tools for protecting the species' populations.
Over 12,000 years ago, humans in Europe increased their ability to digest carbohydrates by expanding the number of genes for enzymes that break down starch. This rapid increase in gene copies provided a survival advantage and tracks the spread of agriculture across Europe.
A study sequenced the genomes of nearly 300 rabbits to understand their colonization success. Researchers found that domestication-linked genes are often eliminated in feral populations due to natural selection, leading to a mix of domestic and wild origin. This helps explain how domestic animals can thrive in the wild.
A comprehensive set of genomic resources for Tausch's goatgrass has been established, shedding light on the evolutionary genetics of wheat. Researchers identified a stem rust resistance gene and a leaf rust resistance gene, which will aid in breeding more resilient wheat varieties.
Researchers studied three polyploid plant species that successfully adapted to extra DNA and found distinct molecular solutions. The study identified the CENP-E molecule as a promising target for killing polyploid cancers. Additionally, 'meiosis genes' were found to play a crucial role in rapid adaptation to polyploidy.
A recent study published in Nature Communications found that mammals with more developed brains tend to exhibit smaller sexual size dimorphism (SSD), meaning there is less difference in size between males and females. This suggests that complex brain development may be linked to other traits such as social behavior and mate selection.
Researchers sequenced genomes of 179 wild-caught flies and museum specimens, producing low-cost, high-quality DNA sequences. The new data helps refine our understanding of the evolutionary relationships among 360 species in the Drosophilidae family.
A team of UConn researchers, without lab experience, published the first chromosome-level genome of a desert hairy scorpion. The study sheds light on arachnid evolution and advances comparative genomics research.
Research from Stockholm University reveals that marsupials possess a not fully evolved form of brown fat, a crucial finding for understanding the origin and regulation of this heat-producing organ. The study suggests that the gene networks required to enable thermogenesis existed before the divergence of marsupials and placental mammals.
The study reveals remarkable variation between primate Y chromosomes, showing rapid evolution and previously unstudied regions. The researchers found that over 90% of ape X chromosome sequences aligned to the human X chromosome, while only 14-27% of ape Y chromosome sequences aligned to the human Y chromosome.
Researchers from Queen Mary University of London reveal that baobab trees originated in Madagascar before traveling to Africa and Australia, where they evolved unique pollination mechanisms. The study provides new insights into how climate change has influenced baobab distribution and speciation patterns over millions of years.
Researchers analyzed genome of Oikopleura dioica, finding it has wildly different languages despite identical physical characteristics. The 'scrambling' phenomenon suggests genes are regulated differently, challenging assumptions about species identity.
Researchers found that macroalgae acquired new genes for cell adhesion, differentiation, communication, and transport from viruses, which played a critical role in their evolution to multicellularity. The study provides valuable genomic resources for further studies on the biology of macroalgae.
Researchers reconstructed the entire evolutionary history of birds using advanced algorithms and genomic data from over 60,000 regions. The new family tree reveals patterns in avian diversification following the mass extinction event that wiped out dinosaurs.
Researchers analyzed well-preserved microbiomes from 4,000-year-old teeth in Ireland, providing a snapshot of oral health in the past. The study found evidence of dysbiosis and an unusual abundance of S. mutans bacteria, suggesting that our ancestors' mouths differed significantly from ours.
The study confirms the presence of four distinct subgenomes in woody bamboos, with the C subgenome dominating two tetraploid lineages. The hexaploid lineage exhibits a dynamic shift in dominance from C to A subgenomes, contributing to evolutionary traits and forest habitat adaptation.
Researchers analyzed over 200 butterfly and moth genomes to understand their evolutionary history. They found that chromosomes have remained largely unchanged since the last common ancestor over 250 million years ago, despite the diversity seen today in wing patterns and caterpillar forms.
Researchers at Durham University and Oxford Brookes University have identified a key gene contributing to the rapid evolution of male external genitalia in fruit flies. The study found that changes in the Sox21b gene altered genital shape and size, affecting mating duration and female choice.
The study provides a high-quality genome assembly of Lagerstroemia indica and sheds light on its evolutionary history. The researchers identified key genes and pathways involved in ornamental traits such as flower color and leaf pigmentation.
A study published in Current Biology reveals that complex green organisms, including land plants and algae, evolved multicellularity almost a billion years ago. Researchers used gene sequencing data to pinpoint the emergence of this trait in filamentous algal lineages.
A team of researchers has found that homosporous lycophytes have maintained a consistent genetic structure for over 350 million years. This unusual phenomenon reveals important aspects of plant evolution and genetics, providing a unique window into the past.
A new study has found that evolution is influenced by a genome's evolutionary history, allowing scientists to predict gene interactions and tackle real-world issues like antibiotic resistance. This discovery opens the door to new possibilities in synthetic biology, medicine, and environmental science.
Researchers discovered 50 genetic changes underlying the switch from egg-laying to live-bearing in marine snails, which evolved within the past 100,000 years. The findings provide insights into the evolutionary process and potential benefits of live-bearing, including increased reproductive success in new habitats.
A new genomic study sheds light on the evolutionary innovation behind carnivorous Asian pitcher plants, suggesting that duplicated genomes may have enabled specialized carnivory and separate-sexed plants.
The Chinese team has completed the genome assembly of Cornus wilsoniana, revealing key findings on its evolution, oil biosynthesis, and floral bud development. The study provided valuable resources for germplasm innovation and genetic improvement of C. wilsoniana.
Researchers discovered a bitter taste receptor in sharks, similar to the one found in humans. This finding provides insights into the evolution of bitter taste perception, dating back around 500 million years.
The study has shed light on how cats evolved into different species and how genetic changes relate to survival abilities like smell detection. It also revealed that cat genomes tend to have fewer complex genetic variations than other mammal groups, such as primates.