Research on how genomes change over time. Covers hidden DNA structure, chromosome bursts in cancer, plant pangenomes, and microbial adaptation.
The Tomato Genome Consortium has sequenced and assembled the tomato genome, revealing two rounds of triplications that have impacted genes controlling texture, color, and maturation. This analysis provides key information for studying the evolution of this species and exploring methods to promote resistance to pests and water scarcity.
Researchers discovered that colorful butterflies share traits to enhance their survival, including a rich repertoire of genes for olfaction and chemosensation. This cross-breeding allows them to acquire superior wing colors more quickly than evolving from scratch.
Two studies have produced independent chromosome maps of Miscanthus sinensis, revealing the process of genetic duplication and fusion that led to its emergence. The findings provide insights into the evolution of grasses and their desirable traits.
The BGI has completed the genome sequence of foxtail millet, a crop with significant potential for improving yield and stress tolerance. The study provides valuable resources for genetic improvement and functional gene studies at a genome-wide level.
Researchers from Max Planck Institute decoded genes for extreme body size in mice, revealing 67 loci and new genes regulating energy balance, metabolic processes, and growth. The study's findings suggest that artificial selection can parallel natural selection to alter similar genes, shedding light on the genetic basis of complex traits.
Recent LSU research has found that orangutans are host to ancient Alu jumping genes more than 16 million years old, which can copy themselves using a method similar to retroviruses. This discovery represents only the second study to identify a driver Alu element and provides promising new evidence for Alu propagation in orangutans.
Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press announces new licensing arrangements with Genome Research authors. Authors can now retain copyright and license their work for 6 months, after which it will be made freely available under a Creative Commons License.
Researchers have identified an ancestral Alu element in orangutan genomes, which has uniquely multiplied within the species. This discovery provides insights into primate evolution and diversity, with implications for understanding speciation processes.
A new study identifies genes responsible for the Pygmies' relatively small size, suggesting hormonal pathways and immune system regulation as possible drivers. The research provides evidence of natural selection's role in shaping human traits, highlighting the importance of studying global diversity and evolutionary contexts.
Researchers found that bacteria have a 'risk management' strategy to control mutation rate in key genes, decreasing the risk of detrimental mutations. The study provides insights into how disease-causing mutations arise and may be involved in cancer development.
A new type of viral genome has been discovered, challenging current understanding of virus evolution. The circular DNA genome, found in a unique RNA-DNA hybrid virus, suggests that entirely new virus types may emerge through recombination of functional and structural modules.
Researchers analyzed 1,000 genes in human and mouse brains, finding high similarity and only 5% difference among humans. The dataset offers insights into neural evolution, cell-to-cell communication, and species-specific functions.
A new study finds that athletic frogs tend to have faster-changing genomes, with the rate of evolution correlated with physical fitness. The research suggests that free radicals produced during exercise may cause wear and tear on DNA, leading to genetic changes.
A study by University of Edinburgh researchers found that sexual reproduction allows for the weeding out of damaging DNA elements within a few generations. This leads to healthier individuals flourishing and passing on their DNA, while weaker ones are more likely to die without reproducing.
Researchers identified 147 genetic regions in sticklebacks that enable adaptation to marine and freshwater environments. Regulatory changes predominate, with most differences occurring in non-coding regions of the genome.
A University of Tennessee professor proposes a game-changing hypothesis that some species evolve by discarding genes rather than adding them. This idea counters the popular assumption that evolution increases complexity and highlights the importance of biological diversity in microorganisms.
Researchers identified specific genomic changes that enable fish populations to adapt to new environments, revealing the importance of regulatory changes. The study also found that large DNA inversions can lead to the formation of separate species.
The study reveals that changes to both genes and DNA stretches controlling gene activity have driven sticklebacks' adaptation to fresh water. Reused genetic regions, including armor genes and those involved in metabolism and developmental signaling, helped remodel fish into forms better suited to freshwater environments.
Scientists uncover evidence of punctuated evolution in ancient Egyptian cotton, suggesting rapid change over a short period. The findings shed light on agricultural development in the ancient world and provide insights for modern agriculture.
A study by IRB Barcelona analyzed tRNA genes in over 500 species, revealing that enzyme activity adapted genome structures to specific codon recognition. This discovery explains the separation of Bacteria, eukaryotes, and archaea genomes and has implications for biotechnology and cancer research.
The gorilla genome sequence provides a unique perspective on human origins, revealing that 15% of the human genome is closer to the gorilla genome than it is to the chimpanzee. The study also illuminates genetic differences between gorilla species and highlights the importance of conservation efforts for these endangered populations.
The study compares the genomes of humans, chimpanzees, gorillas, and orang-utans, shedding light on human origins and genetic differences. Genetic changes important in evolution were found to be accelerated in genes related to sensory perception, hearing, and brain development.
Researchers are using cutting-edge DNA sequencing technology to study Fiji's living fossil trees and understand how biodiversity is generated. The project aims to predict how these rare species will adapt to climate change, enabling conservation efforts.
Researchers at Linköping University discovered epigenetic factors driving rapid changes in genome function, leading to diverse breeds of domestic fowl. The study found that domestication resulted in heritable epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, which may explain the swift evolution of domesticated chickens.
Biologist Harmit Malik aims to understand whether a lost evolutionary arms race causes lupus autoimmunity. He investigates the role of parasitic 'jumping genes' and their interaction with defense mechanisms, which may provide a new model for understanding lupus.
A new paradigm by Dr. Ehud Lamm redefines the genome as a dynamic system that can impact genes themselves, highlighting its physiological aspect. This perspective could provide deeper insight into how organisms develop and evolve.
Genetic analysis reveals that about a third of changes on the X chromosome have been beneficial for chimpanzees since divergence from humans, while most remain unchanged. This suggests that natural selection works stronger on the X chromosome than other genes.
Researchers discovered a newly acquired trait in some HIV-related viruses that allows them to degrade primate SAMHD1 proteins. The ability emerged first in Vpr proteins before the emergence of Vpx proteins.
A University of Pennsylvania team has made significant inroads into understanding how Ethiopian populations adapt to high-altitude environments. Their genome-wide study reveals that different genetic mutations, known as convergent evolution, are responsible for their unique physiological traits.
A University of Florida study suggests that genome evolution in hybrid plants may follow predictable patterns, known as 'rules', which determine gene loss. This could lead to the creation of higher and more stable yields in crops like wheat, corn, and apples.
A Kansas State University researcher is studying the genetic basis of natural variation in sunflowers, a process known as ecological or evolutionary genetics. The study has found that massive proliferation events of LTR retrotransposons contribute to the increase in genome size of hybrid species.
Researchers discovered over 5000 conserved CTCF binding sites across six mammalian species, indicating a key role in gene regulation. These sites are embedded inside retro-transposons and have remained unchanged over hundreds of millions of years.
Researchers have found that newly formed plant species exhibit highly unstable genomes, which may lead to improved fertility and yields in crops such as wheat, corn, and broccoli. The study's findings could inform the development of polyploid crops with higher fertility and performance.
A collaborative effort analyzed the genomes of great apes, revealing DNA duplications that may contribute to genomic diseases such as autism and mental retardation. The study highlights the shared areas of DNA among different great ape species, including bonobos and chimpanzees.
Researchers plotted evolutionary relationships of 150 plant species based on advanced genome-wide analysis, providing insights into genetic basis of diversity. The study resolves the long-standing problem of producing an unequivocal evolutionary tree of seed plants.
A team of Penn researchers has discovered that the evolution of the TAS2R38 gene, responsible for bitter taste perception, was driven by factors other than taste. The study found that African populations have a broader range of PTC taste sensitivity and unique genetic variants not seen in non-Africans.
Plant pathologists discovered a gene with varying intron lengths in fungus M. graminicola, challenging conventional models of intron presence-absence polymorphisms. The study sheds light on genome evolution and suggests natural selection may play a role in intron fixation.
The study reveals unique genes that contribute to the spider mite's resistance to pesticides and its ability to produce silk threads. This breakthrough provides new insights into the evolution of arthropods and offers opportunities for developing more effective crop protection strategies.
The sequenced spider mite genome provides insights into its feeding frenzy, pesticide resistance, and web-making abilities. The study reveals the genetic basis for these traits, including the acquisition of bacterial genes that enhance digestion and detoxification.
The genome of Medicago, a legume model, reveals insights into the evolution of nitrogen-fixing symbioses that can be partly attributed to a 58 million-year-old genetic event. The study found additional genes specialized for root nodulation and interaction with symbiotic bacteria.
An international research team, led by Jason Stajich, is sequencing 1000 fungal genomes to improve understanding of their role in ecosystems and human affairs. The '1000 Fungal Genomes' project aims to fill gaps in the Fungal Tree of Life and provide a foundation for interpreting how fungi adapt to their environments.
Researchers at NC State University found evolutionary breakpoints in canine chromosomes associated with canine cancer. Mapping these 'fragile' regions could provide new tools for human cancer detection and treatment.
Researchers found that Leishmania parasites have almost identical DNA sequences within species populations, suggesting a small number of genes cause different symptoms. The parasite's evolutionary success may be driven by genetic abnormalities leading to copy number variation, which increases understanding of drug resistance mechanisms.
Scientists have pieced together the most comprehensive phylogeny for mollusks, revealing surprising relationships between enigmatic groups. The study places Monoplacophora, thought extinct, as a sister clade to cephalopods, and establishes a single origin for shelled mollusks.
Researchers have sequenced the DNA of a potent marijuana strain and compared it to hemp, revealing the genetic differences that lead to marijuana's psychoactive effects. The study found that domestication and breeding of marijuana strains resulted in the loss of an enzyme responsible for producing non-psychoactive compounds.
A new study finds that young human-specific genes are correlated with the development of advanced brain structures, such as the neocortex and prefrontal cortex. The genes are most often expressed during fetal or infant development, indicating an early role in shaping the complexity of the human brain.
Researchers found that young, human-specific genes are more likely to be expressed in the developing human brain. This correlation suggests that these genes may play a key role in constructing the uniquely powerful human brain.
Researchers sequenced the genomes of two non-human primate species, Chinese rhesus macaque and cynomolgus, and compared them with a previously sequenced Indian rhesus macaque. The study reveals abundant genetic heterogeneity among the three macaques, which may facilitate biomedical analysis and application.
Researchers identified 3 million previously undetectable elements in non-coding regions of mammalian genomes that have been preserved across millions of years, associated with human disease. This catalog makes it easier to decipher the function of disease-related variation in the human genome.
Scientists have sequenced the entire genome of the Black Death, revealing a direct ancestor that causes modern plagues worldwide. The study provides insights into the evolution of human pathogens and historical pandemics.
The IGB and University of Illinois have received a $3.2 million NSF grant to train up to 30 graduate students in vertically integrated training with genomics. Students will learn to integrate genomic tools with traditional taxonomic approaches to study grand challenges in biology.
Researchers found a shared, unusual genomic architecture in patients with severe diseases, including MECP2 duplication syndrome and Pelizaeus-Merzbacher Disease. This structure is associated with increased genetic material dosage and makes the disorder worse.
Scientists have pinpointed a key genetic change that enabled the domestication of corn from its wild relative teosinte. A jumping gene insertion about 23,000 years ago increased the expression of a gene affecting plant architecture, leading to larger ears with more kernels.
Researchers found genetic evidence that links fluid balance to a turning point in evolution, with the emergence of ENaC and Na-K-ATPase coinciding with multi-cellular organisms. The study suggests a link between these genes and the development of complex life forms.
Researchers at LSU and partners aim to sequence the genome of Atlantic killifish to discover genes supporting its high tolerance to pollutants. The study could advance understanding of genetic determinants of health and disease for both wild species and humans.
Researchers are sequencing the Atlantic killifish genome to understand how it tolerates pollutants and thermal extremes, providing insights into human impact on the earth and global warming. This study aims to accelerate our understanding of genetic determinants of health and disease in changing environments.
A study found that fast-evolving genes in social insects like fire ants and honeybees are responsible for their developmental differences. These genes exhibit elevated rates of evolution, even before they are recruited to produce diverse forms.
Researchers at Uppsala University have identified a rare, previously unknown group of bacteria that could be the origin of mitochondria. The study suggests that these bacteria evolved from ocean- and earth-dwelling bacteria with larger genomes, explaining their success in global carbon cycles.
Scientists sequenced genomes of 17 common lab mouse strains to advance genetic studies of human diseases. The study revealed striking variations in strain relationships across the genome, highlighting the importance of genomic information for comparing species.
The study of 17 mouse strains reveals a range of genetic variation, with over 700 biological traits affected by mutations. The findings advance understanding of human disease and evolution, providing a critical resource for researchers.