Research on how genomes change over time. Covers hidden DNA structure, chromosome bursts in cancer, plant pangenomes, and microbial adaptation.
A broad collaboration has produced a first draft of the papaya genome, offering insights into its evolutionary path and genetic changes that make it resistant to the papaya ringspot virus. The findings indicate that papaya diverged from Arabidopsis 72 million years ago, taking a different evolutionary path.
Researchers discovered a preference for certain DNA letters across intron regions and the opposite preference in coding regions, affecting at least a third of the genome. This finding supports previous studies suggesting that non-coding DNA is biologically important.
A recent study suggests that selenium supplements may not be necessary for most people due to a reduced reliance on the trace element in mammals. This discovery raises questions about the need for supplements and highlights the importance of considering individual factors such as age, sex, and medical needs.
The journal highlights a method for ENU mutagenesis to screen the mouse genome, allowing researchers to identify genes important in specific tissues or processes. A second featured protocol provides a step-by-step process for selecting the proper method for analyzing evolutionary relationships between genes.
A new study by Yale and Washington University researchers challenges the idea that complex traits have a 'cost of complexity,' suggesting that many mutations only affect a small number of traits. The team identified genomic regions affecting skeleton characteristics, revealing a well-coordinated process in tuning up complex traits.
Researchers have identified a plant gene cluster that produces a triterpene compound, previously unknown in plants. The study reveals how plants can assemble beneficial gene clusters to produce valuable natural products.
Scientists at MIT have developed a mathematical approach to analyze protein patterns across species to identify natural selection in microbial evolution. By analyzing the 'selective signature' of genes, researchers can infer gene function and understand ecological shifts.
Researchers have identified 25 genes that regulate aging in both yeast and nematodes, with significant overlap between nutrient-response pathways. These findings suggest that similar mechanisms may contribute to human aging, providing a foundation for understanding age-associated diseases.
Researchers at the University of Washington have identified 25 genes regulating lifespan in yeast and roundworms, with at least 15 having similar versions in humans. The study provides quantitative evidence that these genes have been conserved during evolution, suggesting potential targets for treating age-related diseases.
Researchers develop phylogenomic toolkit to analyze lemur genomes, confirming a single ancestral species for the diverse array of lemurs. The study provides insights into primate evolution and highlights the importance of Madagascar as a biodiversity hotspot.
Researchers have speculated that the Foxp2 gene is linked to language ability, but MIT's Robert Berwick argues this connection is unlikely due to complexity and speculative chain of events. Language is likely the result of a subtle interplay among various factors, making direct genetic connections impossible.
A newly sequenced genome reveals insights into the evolution from single-celled life forms to multicellular animals. Choanoflagellates, tiny planktonic organisms, are the closest living relatives of animals and hold key information about human history and the origins of life.
Researchers at Dartmouth College have discovered that microRNAs played a crucial role in the emergence of vertebrates, with diverse regulatory mechanisms driving genome assembly. The study's findings suggest that these tiny molecules were responsible for the origin of unique organs such as the liver, pancreas, and brain.
A study by Alysha Heimberg and colleagues found that microRNAs, previously considered 'junk DNA', are diverse in primitive vertebrates like sharks and lampreys, but less common in invertebrates. This discovery suggests that microRNAs played a crucial role in the evolution of complex organs unique to vertebrates.
Scientists have discovered two common gene variants that regulate recombination rate in humans, which varies between men and women. These variants enable the distribution of evolutionary work between sexes, promoting genetic diversity while maintaining genome stability.
Genes have been found to recognize similar patterns of chemical bases without physical contact, shedding light on the process of homologous recombination. This ability could explain how genes group together to perform key processes involved in species evolution.
A recent study has found that human genes have evolved additional safeguards to boost the p53 regulatory network's ability to guard against DNA damage. This enhancement is thought to be linked to humans' increased need for coordinated control of molecular repair activities during DNA replication.
Researchers successfully switched a gene regulatory element from a bat to a mouse, resulting in abnormally long forelimbs. This study demonstrates that evolution can be driven by changes in gene expression patterns, rather than solely genetic changes.
Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine identified a new mechanism, called Fork Stalling and Template Switching, which causes DNA copy number variation. This process stalls when there is a problem with the DNA, switching to a different template before returning to the original area.
A new approach to gene prediction, CONTRAST, leverages multiple genomes to identify protein-coding genes with high accuracy. The technique directly learns useful features from genomic alignments, leading to significant improvements over existing methods.
The DOE JGI Community Sequencing Program has successfully sequenced the genome of Physcomitrella patens, a nonvascular land plant. The genome will facilitate studies of plant cell wall synthesis, photosynthesis, and drought tolerance, with potential applications in biofuels and biomass production.
Researchers found 26 losses of long-established genes in the human lineage, including 16 previously unknown cases. The study identified a gene for acyltransferase-3 that was lost in humans but still functional in chimpanzees and possibly gorillas.
The sequencing of Physcomitrella patens genome provides a window into the evolution of green plants, revealing key traits like desiccation tolerance. The discovery may help improve crop growth in arid conditions and advance bioenergy research.
The complete genome of Physcomitrella patens has been sequenced, providing insights into the conquest of land by plants. The research reveals unique gene products and metabolic pathways that enable mosses to protect themselves against stresses associated with living on land.
A new study suggests humans are evolving rapidly, with genetic differences accelerating on a continental scale. The pace of change has accelerated in the last 40,000 years, especially since the end of the Ice Age, leading to increased divergence among human populations.
Researchers characterized gene expression patterns in Kawasaki disease patients, identifying innate immune mechanisms and proinflammatory responses. The study supports the use of gene-expression profiles to generate biomarkers for other systemic inflammatory illnesses, improving diagnosis and treatment options.
A new study reveals the evolutionary Tree of Life for flowering plants, with monocots and eudicots found to be more closely related than to other major lineages. The analysis of genomic data suggests a unique species called Amborella represents the earliest diverging lineage of flowering plants.
Researchers at Cornell University have identified over 300 new human genes using a comparative approach to the genome. These newly discovered genes are involved in various biological processes, including motor activity, cell adhesion, and central nervous system development.
Researchers have completed the genomes of ten new fruit fly species, providing a comprehensive understanding of their evolution over 60 million years. The study also identified 1193 new genes and 414 corrected previously catalogued genes across the twelve closely related species.
Researchers found that ancient retroviruses helped shape p53, a master gene regulator in primates, by inserting DNA sequences and rearranging the genome. This discovery provides new insights into how gene regulatory networks evolved in humans and other primates.
Researchers compared 12 closely related fruit fly species to better understand genetic adaptation, immune systems and gene regulation. The study, led by Cornell University, found evidence of evolutionary pressures on genes and regulatory elements that control diseases, development and behavior.
A large-scale comparative analysis of twelve fruit fly species reveals insights on gene evolution, functional elements, and a powerful approach to deciphering other genomes. The study identifies thousands of novel genes, evolutionary signatures, and systematically defines the functional parts of the fly genome.
New fly genomics research provides a comprehensive view of adaptive protein evolution, revealing the role of adaptation in evolution and human genome uniqueness. The study found that stretches of DNA with high variability in Drosophila simulans did not match up with areas of divergence between species.
The study provides unprecedented insights into the genetic diversity of fruit flies, enabling scientists to compare related species and track ancestry. By analyzing mitochondrial DNA sequences from 12 species, researchers have discovered highly conserved genes and rapid-evolving genes, shedding light on evolutionary adaptations.
The complete genomes of 12 Drosophila species were published in Nature, revealing genetic differences similar to those between humans and chickens. This research provides a less-biased view of evolutionary processes, enabling a better understanding of the human genome.
The study of 12 Drosophila genomes provides novel insights into microRNA (miRNA) regulation, identifying 59 new miRNAs and revealing greater diversity in their role in gene expression. The analysis also reveals emergent gene function and post-transcriptional regulation mechanisms, with potential applications in human disease research.
A global research consortium sequenced 12 closely related fruit fly species, revealing thousands of novel genes and functional elements. The study highlights how evolution has shaped the fruit fly genomes, shedding light on fundamental biological processes.
Researchers have identified a sex-ratio meiotic drive system in Drosophila simulans, with an X-linked distorter gene that creates skewed female litters and an autosomal suppressor gene that counteracts this effect. The findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying sex ratio distortion.
A team of researchers has discovered that colugos, also known as flying lemurs, are the closest living relatives to primates. This finding has significant implications for anthropology and genomics, providing a clearer understanding of primate evolution and potential fossil record placement.
A new study by UC Irvine entomologist Bob Reed has uncovered the secrets behind butterfly wing patterns. The research found that genes responsible for making insect eye pigments also produce red wing patterns in Heliconius butterflies, shedding light on the genetic causes of variation in wing patterns across different regions.
Researchers at DOE JGI identified genes that kill recipient bacteria during gene transfer, providing a possible strategy for discovering new antibiotics. The study also sheds light on the evolutionary history of organisms and offers a way to finish genome assemblies.
A study on Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, a tiny green alga, has found that it shares genes with both plants and animals, including humans. The research provides new insights into photosynthesis, flagellar movement, and human diseases related to ciliary dysfunction.
Researchers identify ancestral origin of long DNA duplications in human genome, shedding light on evolution of disease-causing genetic mutations. The study reveals elevated rates of duplication activity at different times and highlights a small subset of core duplicons responsible for recent genetic innovations.
A KGI professor's research reveals a mechanism for the self-repair of DNA at jumping gene locations, challenging instability theories. The study provides insights into the evolution of moveable genetic elements and their implications for plant genetics and molecular evolution.
A team of Harvard researchers has found that organisms must stay below a mutation rate of 6 per genome per generation to prevent extinction. This discovery explains why some species are more resilient to genetic changes and offers insights into the physical properties of genetic material and its impact on survival fitness.
Researchers used 454 sequencing to analyze messenger RNA from wasp brains, correlating expression patterns with social behaviors. Insulin-related genes showed distinct patterns, suggesting eusociality involves major nutritional and reproductive pathways.
Researchers at the University of Illinois discovered a genetic link between maternal and altruistic behaviors in wasps, finding similarities with honey bee workers. The study suggests that eusociality may have evolved from maternal behavior in paper wasps, challenging Darwinian predictions.
The complete Giardia genome has been unlocked, revealing several unusual proteins that could lead to the development of new drugs. The parasite's unique genetic makeup is thought to have allowed it to evade the human immune system and survive for long periods in contaminated water.
The complete genetic sequence of Giardia lamblia has been completed, revealing opportunities for new drug and vaccine targets. The parasite's genome shows unusual proteins that could be exploited to treat or prevent infections.
A new study has found that bats exhibit unparalleled genetic variation in the FOXP2 gene, which is linked to their unique ability of echolocation. This discovery adds weight to the theory that FOXP2 plays a crucial role in the sensory-motor coordination of vocalizations.
Genomic imprinting evolved in a stepwise, adaptive way, with genes becoming imprinted as needed. The study provides important clues about the evolution of imprinting, despite its complex nature.
The study used knockout mice to test the hypothesis that ultraconserved elements are vital for life, but surprisingly found that mice lacking these elements were viable and fertile. The results suggest that the presence of ultraconserved elements is not required for organism viability.
Research found strong associations between several genes and schizophrenia, with evidence of positive selection on genes like DISC1, DTNBP1, and NRG1. This supports the theory that schizophrenia represents a maladaptive by-product of human evolution.
Researchers found a copy of the entire Wolbachia genome within the genome of its host, Drosophila ananassae, suggesting frequent gene transfer between bacteria and multicellular organisms. The discovery raises implications for evolution and genome sequencing projects.
Researchers found that evolving to complex goals accelerates speedup in simulations, suggesting a possible shortcut to optimization. The study's findings have practical implications for engineering fields and computer science.
New research from Duke University reveals that the way genes are used in humans differs significantly from that of chimps and other primates. The study found dramatic differences in gene regulation related to brain development and diet, which may have contributed to human adaptability and susceptibility to certain diseases.
A recent genomics study has identified genes and gene families associated with human traits such as endurance running and cognitive function. The study found that gene copy number variations in humans may have contributed to the evolution of these traits, with some genes being unique to the human lineage.
Researchers developed a method to catalog genetic variations in Arabidopsis thaliana, revealing regions targeted by natural selection. The study found that one out of 10 genes is very different and many gene families were shaped by evolution. The data have been placed in a publicly accessible database.
Researchers infer complete chromosome sequences from existing data using a statistical method that exploits genetic mutations in organisms with high variability. The study confirms the conserved function of junk DNA and its potential role in regulating gene function.
A Cornell study found evidence of recent human adaptation, with 101 regions of the human genome showing strong selection signs. These include genes related to skin pigmentation, muscle attachment, and immune system function.