Research on how genomes change over time. Covers hidden DNA structure, chromosome bursts in cancer, plant pangenomes, and microbial adaptation.
The modENCODE Project has provided new genomic advances on embryonic development, DNA replication, and transcriptional regulation. Researchers compared developmental gene expression between Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans, finding conserved gene expression patterns during development, despite significant differences ...
A study by LSTM researchers reveals that closely related Anopheles gambiae and A. coluzzii mosquito species can exchange genetic variation to adapt to environmental changes. The transfer of a major insecticide resistance mutation resulted in no detectable impact on reproductive isolation, contrary to expected outcomes.
A study published in Science found that crows select mates with similar plumage colors due to genetic factors. The researchers identified a specific genomic region responsible for coloration and visual perception, suggesting a possible evolutionary mechanism behind species separation.
A team of scientists has developed a chromosome map for about half of the genome of Aedes agypti mosquito, which transmits dengue fever and yellow fever. The study reveals striking contrasts between this mosquito and Anopheles gambiae, the malaria vector, that may help prevent diseases by manipulating sex ratios.
A special collection of research articles addresses the genetic underpinnings of host defenses against pathogens, revealing the complex determinants of immunity. Studies examine how genes influence immune responses, including those related to autoimmune thyroid diseases and insect resistance.
Researchers have sequenced the Eucalyptus grandis genome to identify genes influencing biomass production and cell wall composition. The study reveals insights into the tree's evolutionary history and adaptation, offering opportunities for accelerating breeding cycles and minimizing environmental impacts.
A recent study published in Science has sequenced the sheep genome, providing new insights into ruminant evolution and lipid metabolism. The researchers found a previously unrecognized gene LCE7A associated with wool formation and identified key genes involved in keratinized epidermal structure development.
Researchers at Virginia Tech Carilion Institute create EvoCor, a search engine that quickly identifies genes functionally linked to specific biological processes. This breakthrough tool aids in discovering complex molecular mechanisms and may lead to new therapeutic targets for diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's.
Researchers report that Hawaiian crickets have lost their songs due to a natural defense mechanism against parasitoid flies. The silent crickets avoid the deadly flies and still mate by positioning themselves near singing males, showcasing convergent evolution in action.
A first-of-its-kind study found parallel genomic changes during species formation of a Southern California stick insect, suggesting a repeatable process. The research revealed regions of the genome that exhibited significant differences between populations from different host plants.
Researchers found evidence of 'parallel speciation' where insect populations on different host plants diverge genetically, shedding light on how new species arise. The study's findings provide a more effective understanding of the speciation process.
Scientists studied plant species Rumex hastatulus to understand the earliest stages of Y-chromosome degeneration. They found genes had already started to undergo genetic degeneration despite their recent origin, with degeneration depending on how long ago genes stopped recombining with each other.
Researchers analyzed 79 Greenlandic polar bears and 10 brown bears to uncover genes involved in the polar bears' adaptation to life in the high Arctic. The study found that the polar bear diverged from brown bears less than 500,000 years ago and developed unique adaptations to cope with a high-fat diet.
A genomic investigation by University of British Columbia researchers has revealed that a lethal parasite infecting a wide range of insects originated from pond scum. The parasite, Helicosporidium, has shed its green past on its evolutionary journey, losing almost all its genes except those required for photosynthesis.
A new study published in the Journal of Human Evolution identifies two genes that show evidence of positive selection in humans, contributing to the thickening of enamel. The research suggests that natural selection played a key role in shaping human teeth, with specific genetic changes linked to diet and environmental pressures.
A new method for genotyping pine species has been developed using simple sequence repeats, allowing for efficient and cost-effective population-level studies. The technique was tested on over 900 individuals across 100 species, revealing six markers that are particularly useful for understanding genetic structure within ponderosa pine.
A recent study reveals that the marine microbe Prochlorococcus has hundreds of distinct genetic subpopulations, each with a unique genomic backbone. This diversity is finely tuned for optimal growth under different conditions, creating a robust and stable population in the face of environmental instability.
Researchers identified 24 functional categories of genes with strong positive selection in ant lineages, including those related to nervous system development and immunity. Ant-specific signals on mitochondrial activity genes may be responsible for increased queen lifespan up to 30 years.
Electric fish have evolved sophisticated communication systems using modified muscle cells, allowing them to bypass predators in the dark. A gene duplication event led to the specialized Scn4aa sodium channel gene, which may have driven quicker evolution and adaptation in electric fish.
Researchers found hundreds of distinct genetic subpopulations within a single species of ocean microbe, Prochlorococcus, and discovered that these subpopulations are finely tuned for specific ecological niches. The study suggests that the remarkable diversity of Prochlorococcus is not random but rather a result of natural selection.
The study found that genes on the Y chromosome are widely expressed across the body and contribute to differences in disease susceptibility between men and women. These genes are crucial for survival and have been selected over time, suggesting a new era in Y chromosome biology.
Scientists have discovered a correlation between the number of duplicated genes and a species' ability to adapt to novel environments. Higher numbers of these 'small-scale duplication genes' are associated with better adaptation, while lower numbers may hinder species survival.
Ferns acquired a gene called neochrome from hornworts, allowing them to thrive in shaded environments. The transfer of this gene helped ferns diversify and flourish under the new canopy, outcompeting flowering plants.
A new genome analysis method has confirmed that humans and Neandertals interbred in Eurasia, providing a definitive answer to the long-standing debate about the origin of modern humans. The study's findings suggest that Neandertal admixture occurred after modern humans migrated out of Africa.
A new study explains how DNA methylation protects duplicate genes, allowing them to evolve into new cellular functions. The research found that young duplicate genes are heavily methylated, shielding them from natural selection.
Studies of two vesper bat species genomes reveal a link between DNA transposons and rapid evolution. The authors propose that transposable elements enabled the introduction of microRNAs, influencing gene expression and driving species diversification.
A new study on brown and polar bears found extensive male gene flow leading to the distribution of similar Y chromosomes across vast distances. The research estimated the split between male lineages of brown and polar bears to around 0.4-1.1 million years ago, confirming they are distinct species.
The draft genome of the loblolly pine is the largest ever assembled, comprising approximately 82% repetitive DNA elements. This achievement marks a significant breakthrough in conifer genome sequencing, enabling future projects to build upon a high-quality reference genome.
The draft genome of the loblolly pine, seven times bigger than the human genome, has been completed using a faster analytical process. The sequencing provides a better understanding of plant evolution and diversity, as well as gene locations involved in fighting off pathogens.
A recent study published in Genome Research reveals that sea anemones have a genomic landscape similar to human genomes but also display regulatory mechanisms similar to plants. The team discovered 87 microRNAs in sea anemones, which exhibit hallmarks of both animal and plant microRNAs.
Researchers used genome sequencing to reveal genetic diversity in hospital-acquired bacterium ST258, which causes carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae infections. The study found two distinct groups with different evolutionary histories and unique outer coat genes.
Correlation discovered between molecular evolutionary rates and testes weights, suggesting sperm competition fuels genetic variation. Testis size may be key factor in determining genome evolution rates among primate species.
A new tool called REALPHY reconstructs evolutionary trees from sequencing data without errors and biases. The method is simple enough for biologists to use, generating accurate phylogenies quickly.
A new UCSB study uncovers unique evolutionary adaptations in the primate brain, highlighting the crucial role of microRNAs in a portion of the brain called the outer subventricular zone (OSVZ). These findings suggest that microRNAs are responsible for controlling gene expression and regulating complex cellular processes.
A new approach allows for the sequencing of hundreds of nuclear genes across members of the Compositae, enabling better-resolution phylogenetic relationships and addressing evolutionary questions about the family. The method, termed target sequence capture, has been successfully tested using 14 species from the sunflower family.
The study reveals that enzymes involved in breaking down fatty acids evolved independently in both plants and animals, mirroring each other's development. This finding suggests that both groups faced similar challenges when dealing with ingested fatty acids from plants.
Researchers discovered a new gene called RCO that inhibits cell proliferation and growth between leaflets, allowing dissected leaves to form. The loss of this gene in Arabidopsis thaliana results in simple, entire leaves.
The genome of the queenless clonal raider ant provides insights into social evolution and behavior. Researchers found that nestmates are almost clonally related and reproduce asexually, with genomic heterozygosity lost slowly.
A study published in Molecular Biology and Evolution found that Tibetan Mastiffs have undergone genetic adaptations to survive at high altitudes. The research identified 16 genes involved in energy production critical for high-altitude survival, suggesting convergent evolution between dogs and humans.
Tibetans' genetic adaptations for high-altitude living were shaped by a mixture of two ancestral gene pools, one migrating early to high altitude and the other acquiring advantageous alleles from resident populations. This process, known as admixture-facilitated adaptation, was driven by natural selection.
The largest sequencing study to date reveals most higher animal genes are present in all sponge groups, challenging previous thought of complex structures being absent. The study provides a framework for posing new hypotheses on determining gene function in sponges and the evolution of animal complexity.
Researchers decoded the flatfish genome, providing insights into ZW sex chromosome evolution and benthic adaptation. The study also uncovered epigenetic mechanisms underlying temperature-dependent sexual reversal and trans-generational inheritance of such phenomena.
A recent study by Mainz biologists has identified novel genes that determine the division of labor in ants, showing how gene expression differs between castes. The research found that queens express more known genes related to solitary insects, while workers have unique, modified or novel genes.
The symposium highlights two promising lines of research: unlocking natural diversity in maize genomes to secure global food supplies, and applying nanotechnology to improve renewable energy efficiency. Researchers from TUM and international partners present recent advances in these fields.
Researchers discovered two devastating pandemics, the plague of Justinian and the Black Death, were caused by distinct strains of the same pathogen. The strain that helped bring an end to the Roman Empire faded out on its own, while the other led to worldwide re-emergence in the late 1800s.
Researchers sequenced genomes of 42 yeast strains, revealing more variation in S. cerevisiae than its wild relative, S. paradoxus. Subtelomeric regions harbor genome variation contributing to differences in traits between strains.
Researchers have sequenced and analyzed the elephant shark genome, comparing it with human and other vertebrate genomes. The study found that sharks lack certain types of immune cells and exhibit robust immune defences despite this, and also revealed why cartilage prevails in their skeleton over bone.
The study found that cartilaginous fish, including the elephant shark, have slower rates of intron evolution than invertebrates. This suggests a general characteristic of vertebrates and helps clarify relationships between different jawed vertebrate groups. The findings provide unique insights into gnathostome evolution.
Researchers have sequenced the elephant shark genome, providing new insights into bone formation and adaptive immunity. The study reveals a family of genes essential for bone development and identifies a lack of immune cells in sharks, despite robust immune responses.
The elephant shark genome reveals insights into bone formation and adaptive immunity in humans, with potential implications for treating bone diseases. The study also found that the elephant shark's immune system is surprisingly robust despite lacking certain cell types.
The Amborella genome sequence reveals a 'genome doubling event' that occurred 200 million years ago, explaining the sudden proliferation of new flower species. The discovery provides insights into the genetic origins of important traits in food crops and has significant implications for crop improvement.
A Neanderthal DNA region associated with UV-light adaptation has been identified in up to 49% of Japanese and 66% of Southern Chinese populations. This region was positively selected and enriched in East Asians due to a population expansion event, suggesting higher levels of Neanderthal ancestry in the region.
A recent study published in Science reveals that comb jellies, a simple aquatic animal, possess complex cell types like neurons and muscles. The analysis of the Mnemiopsis leidyi genome shows that these cells may have evolved independently in comb jellies, after they diverged from other animals.
Scientists from the University of Ottawa and University of Calgary have shown that the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa has genetically evolved to survive in CF-infected lungs and evade antibiotic treatments. The study provides new insights into the evolution of the pathogen, which is a major driver of cystic fibrosis mortality.
Researchers from LSTM and international biologists sequenced the king cobra genome, showing dynamic evolution and adaptation in its venom system. The study reveals rapid expansion of gene families that produce venom toxins, providing snakes with a highly toxic protein mixture.
The Burmese python genome study found large numbers of rapidly evolved genes linked to extreme characteristics such as rapid increases in metabolism and organ growth after feeding. The researchers discovered that snakes have undergone incredible changes at all levels of their biology, including physiological and molecular changes.
Researchers have sequenced and analyzed the Burmese python genome, revealing genes that enable extreme feats of organ remodeling and digestion. The study sheds light on the evolutionary biology of snakes and may hold vital clues for treating human diseases such as metabolic disorders and cancer.
A recent study by Uppsala University researchers mapped nearly 90,000 ERVs from 60 host genomes, revealing a host reservoir for one group of retroviruses with rampant host switching throughout history. This finding adds credence to the possibility that many additional retroviruses may remain to be discovered in vertebrate species.
The study provided evidence of stress-responsive genes and anaerobic metabolism in whales, which helped them adapt to ocean environments. The researchers also found that baleen-forming genes were pseudogenes in whales, suggesting a unique evolutionary path.
A CNIO study has discovered that genome replication mirrors the evolutionary history of living beings, with older genes replicating first. This model suggests that new genes emerge in later stages of genome replication, potentially leading to the development of complex structures and organs.