Research on how genomes change over time. Covers hidden DNA structure, chromosome bursts in cancer, plant pangenomes, and microbial adaptation.
Researchers discovered that human chromosomes can reorganize their territories surprisingly quickly, taking up to 15 minutes to complete, when transitioning from proliferation to quiescence. This rapid process is driven by an energy-driven mechanism involving nuclear actin-myosin motor function.
Researchers from Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona found that compound genomes lose essential properties for evolution when complex. The study challenges the 'metabolism first' theory and supports the idea that genetic information stored in nucleotide polymers, like RNA and DNA, is crucial for life to emerge.
A US-German team studied genetic changes in Arabidopsis thaliana over 30 generations, finding that new mutations occur frequently, with an average of one per genome per generation. The study also reveals that not all parts of the genome are equally affected and provides new estimates for when species split up.
The study, called the Genomic Encyclopedia of Bacteria and Archaea (GEBA), describes the first 56 genomes from a diverse set of microorganisms. It reveals that phylogeny plays a key role in determining where new genes appear and how they spread.
Researchers studying the model organism Daphnia pulex found that introns are inserted into the genome far more frequently than predicted, with many sequences of unknown origin. The study identified 'hot spots' for intron insertion and discovered parallel intron gains in independent genotypes.
Research published in Genome Biology found that Mexicans prioritize partners with Native American and European ancestry, while Puerto Ricans prefer those with African and European heritage. Ancestry has a stronger influence on romance than previously thought, with non-random associations of genes across generations.
Researchers develop new algorithms using petascale computers to infer ancestral genome rearrangement events, enabling faster analysis of large genomes. The new methods will help understand the mechanisms and rate of gene rearrangements in genomes.
A $1 million project aims to develop computational tools using next-generation petascale computers to analyze genome rearrangements. The team plans to test their new algorithms on a collection of fruit fly genomes, which will provide insights into the mechanisms underlying gene order diversity.
The study of the domestic horse's genome reveals remarkable similarities to humans, shedding light on key aspects of mammalian evolution. The analysis also provides a starting point for mapping disease genes in horses, potentially deepening knowledge of diseases in both species.
The Genome 10K Project aims to sequence the genomes of 10,000 vertebrate species to understand evolutionary changes and inform conservation efforts. The project will analyze genomic data to reveal evolutionary changes and annotate experimental findings related to specific sites of change.
A global collaborative effort has produced a first draft of the pig genome, offering insights into breeding practices, disease resistance and human health. The sequencing project involved an international team of scientists and provided a 98% complete sequence that will allow researchers to pinpoint genes useful for pork production.
Researchers from the University of Adelaide have published unique research data on the world's only monotremes, providing new light on the platypus sex chromosome system. The team discovered a complex mechanism where sex chromosomes pair during sperm development in platypus.
A team of researchers aims to create a new papaya variety with only hermaphrodite offspring, eliminating the need for costly and labor-intensive seed selection. This breakthrough could significantly improve papaya health while reducing fertilizer and water usage.
A University of Michigan study found that color differences in fruit flies have a common genetic basis with those in humans and chimps. Genetic analysis revealed the tan gene as responsible for part of the color variation within and between species.
The genomes of two popular E. coli laboratory strains, K-12 and B, have been sequenced for the first time, revealing their genetic similarities and differences. The study provides valuable information on the evolutionary mechanisms that produced these differences and will guide future research in basic molecular biology and genetics.
A Michigan State University experiment has watched the emergence of natural selection over 40,000 generations, providing insights into genome evolution and adaptation. The study's findings have implications for biotechnology and cancer research, revealing complex relationships between genetic mutations and environmental pressures.
A Vanderbilt biologist is using genomic data from over two dozen yeast species to identify reliable methods for determining evolutionary relationships. The goal is to apply these principles to other clades, including mammals.
A University of Toronto-led team has identified the evolutionary ancestry of the prion gene, revealing its connection to ZIP family metal ion transporters. This discovery may provide new insights into prion protein function and underlying mechanisms of diseases like BSE and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
Researchers discovered unique genetic regions in the most virulent C. difficile strain, which may explain its increased severity and persistence. The study provides a new opportunity to understand the emergence of this deadly superbug.
Researchers studied polyploidy's effects on cell division in plants, finding that some cells can tolerate aneuploidy without detrimental consequences. The study provides new insights into how genetic changes can lead to evolutionary change and affect plant fitness.
Researchers used 'barcoded' yeast mutants to identify novel biological processes and potential drug targets in response to nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate (N-BP) cancer drugs. These findings may open up opportunities for the development of new compounds with antitumor activity.
The study found that the pathogen's genome is unusually large and has a unique structure, enabling rapid evolution of genes involved in plant infection. The 'two-speed' genomic strategy allows different parts of the genome to evolve at different rates, potentially making it harder for plants to resist infection.
A study tracked genetic mutations in a roundworm over 5,000 years, finding that oxidative DNA damage is a primary cause of mutations. The research also showed that natural selection affects previously thought-to-be 'junk' DNA, suggesting new biological roles.
Researchers found molecular decay of the enamelin gene in toothless mammals, correlating with enamel loss in the fossil record and supporting evolutionary change. The study provides fresh evidence for Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, linking morphological degeneration to molecular decay.
A new bioinformatics study evaluates the reliability of computer models predicting DNA mutation effects on human health. The research team identified regions of the genome where benign mutations tend to occur, allowing for more accurate predictions.
Researchers found a duplicate copy of a gene involved in embryonic development has taken on a new role in the formation of fish scales. This discovery supports the idea that gene duplication can provide raw materials for evolutionary change, as seen in domesticated carp with reduced scales.
Researchers found novel human genes that originated from non-coding DNA in flies, yeast, and primates, with approximately 18 human-specific genes estimated to have arisen during human evolution. These genes are unlike any other human genes and may play a crucial role in human-specific traits.
A recent study found that only one group of mammals - humans, mice, and their close relatives - have seen their genomes decrease in size since the dinosaurs went extinct. This trend continues today, with human genomes undergoing a contraction, although noticeable changes won't be observed for several million years.
The sea lamprey's genome is extensively reorganized during development, with growing embryos discarding millions of units of DNA. This process reveals a dynamic and flexible genome that challenges traditional views on vertebrate genome stability.
A single genetic event explains the short legs of all short-legged dog breeds, including dachshunds and corgis. The discovery provides new insights into human developmental disorders and may lead to a better understanding of hypochondroplasia, a growth disorder affecting some people.
A team of researchers from Ben-Gurion University discovered a link between the mitochondria genome and an increased susceptibility to complex diseases like cancer. The study analyzed 98 unrelated individuals and found that certain mutations, which were advantageous in ancestral environments, are now associated with disease.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara have identified genes that regulate flower color change, revealing a predictable pattern of evolution. The study found that hawkmoths prefer white or yellow flowers over red ones, driving natural selection to shift flower colors.
Scientists identify a DNA template switching mechanism that can result in rearrangements of genes and exons, leading to copy number variation. This process, called fork stalling and template switching, occurs during cell division and can cause significant changes to the genome.
The SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics awarded Lukas Burger for his innovative Bayesian network methodology for predicting protein sequences. Julien Roux won the award for his paper on vertebrate genome evolution, which challenged the traditional 'hourglass' model by revealing a strong effect of constraints in early development.
Researchers at the University of Leeds have discovered a key mechanism governing gene evolution, revealing that protein REST controls gene expression by binding to specific genetic sequences. This process has been shown to play a leading role in the evolution of intelligence in mammals, particularly in the brain.
A novel method has been developed to analyze microRNA expression levels, enabling more accurate detection of subtle biological changes. The new approach outperforms existing methods in reducing technical variation and accurately representing input RNA fluctuations.
The woolly mammoth genome contains the largest proportion of interspersed repeats in mammals, with a single class accounting for nearly 12% of its genome. The findings support the hypothesis that these elements were acquired horizontally from another organism.
The DOE JGI has released an enhanced version of Phytozome.net, a web portal providing access to over fourteen plant genomes, including eight sequenced at the JGI. This expansion bolsters comparative plant genomics data for biofuel and agriculture research.
Researchers found that unstable junk DNA helps tune gene activity, allowing organisms to rapidly adapt to changes. This discovery suggests that 'junk' DNA has a functional role in the evolution of our genome.
A new paper reveals that there are more genetic differences between humans and mice than previously thought. One-fifth of mouse genes are new copies that have emerged in the last 90 million years of mouse evolution.
A research team from Princeton University has found that DNA sequences previously considered 'junk' are essential for an organism's growth and development. The discovery reveals that these regions, known as transposons, perform critical functions by rearranging the genome.
New research on cohesin binding patterns in fission yeast reveals that features thought to differentiate cohesin behaviour between organisms collectively define its overall behaviour. This suggests that cohesin's mechanisms of action might be more similar between organisms than previously thought.
Research reveals genomic imprinting in goldfish shares similarities with mammalian Imprinting, challenging the idea of unique evolutionary event for mammals. The study found parental differential methylation regions in goldfish, indicating a primitive form of genomic imprinting in early vertebrate evolution.
Researchers used sophisticated statistical analyses to study genomic patterns of human population structure, revealing 18 significant axes of variation. These findings provide insights into the history of human evolution, evolutionary forces shaping local populations, and geographic correlations with genetic variation.
Two ancient genes in beetles were found to be co-opted for a new trait, challenging the idea that fundamental genes cannot acquire new functions. The study also suggests that developmental genes are candidates for recruitment and may not be as constraining as previously thought.
The special issue of Genome Research celebrates Charles Darwin's birthday and the publication of On the Origin of Species. Researchers investigate human adaptation and evolution on a genome-wide scale, describing novel fine-scale genetic structure within and between populations worldwide.
The completed bovine genome sequence provides new information about mammalian evolution, cattle genetics, and improved cattle production. Researchers identified genetic variation among different breeds of cattle, shedding light on the relationship between genes and meat quality.
Breakpoint regions on chromosomes contain a higher density of genes and are more susceptible to breakage, leading to genetic variation. The study found that rearrangements in these regions can lead to new sources of variation, potentially subject to natural selection.
A recent cattle genome sequencing milestone has significant implications for human health research, revealing a closer genetic link between humans and cattle than previously thought. The study's findings suggest that milk evolved as an immune function, essential to the survival of newborn mammals, dating back over 160 million years.
The bovine genome consists of at least 22,000 protein-coding genes, with significant rearrangements compared to human and mouse genomes. The sequence provides new insights into ruminant evolution, unique traits making cattle useful to humans, and the mechanisms behind genetic changes.
The complete cattle genome has been sequenced and annotated, providing unique insight into the biology and evolution of cattle. This breakthrough research could lead to significant improvements in beef and dairy production, including increased milk production, disease resistance, and meat quality.
Scientists from the University of Maryland have published their assembly of the domestic cow genome, improving on previous versions in terms of completeness and accuracy. The new assembly is anchored onto chromosomes with around 91% of the genome placed correctly.
The completed cow genome provides insights into mammalian evolution, cattle-specific biology, and the genetic bases of milk. Researchers discovered over 22,000 protein-coding genes and 500 miRNAs, highlighting potential for breeding more sustainable livestock.
A new evolutionary study of the X chromosome shows that it plays an active role in sex chromosome differentiation. The researchers found that the X chromosome undergoes periods of intense adaptation as it compensates for the degeneration of the Y chromosome, which has lost many genes since it stopped recombining with the X. This findin...
Scientists discovered variable ribosomal RNA genes in yeast, which are essential to all Earth's organisms. The genes show surprise variation despite being vital for cell function, and hybridization of two yeasts re-set their clocks, providing clues on evolutionary history.
Recent DNA duplications occurred 65 million years ago, coinciding with the last mass extinction event. Plants with duplicated genomes were better adapted to survive dramatic environmental changes.
Research led by Dr. Cédric Feschotte found a retrovirus related to HIV integrated into lemur genomes around 4.2 million years ago. This discovery provides insights into the evolution of lentiviruses and raises the possibility that HIV-like viruses are still circulating in Madagascar.
A research team from Singapore and London has discovered that the elephant shark, a primitive deep-sea fish, possesses three cone pigments for color vision similar to humans. The finding suggests that gene duplication played a crucial role in this process, which may provide valuable insights into human genome evolution.
A new study by Brigham Young University researchers reveals how and where the rhinovirus genome evolves to evade the human immune system and drugs. The findings provide valuable insights for developing effective vaccines against this common cold virus.
Researchers developed a topographical approach to explore DNA's three-dimensional structure to uncover functional non-coding regions in the human genome. The study found that 12% of the human genome is constrained by evolution, correlating with functional non-coding elements better than sequence analysis alone.