Research on how genomes change over time. Covers hidden DNA structure, chromosome bursts in cancer, plant pangenomes, and microbial adaptation.
University of Ottawa scientists, collaborating with Yale researchers, have discovered the hidden influence of a single variation between histone H3.1 and H3.3 proteins. This finding could expand our understanding of DNA damage repair and its role in diseases like cancers and sponastrine dysplasia.
Researchers found that fruit flies underwent widespread physical and genomic adaptation within weeks, with changes documented in 60% of their genome. The study's findings suggest a new paradigm for understanding the timescale of evolution, highlighting rapid and dynamic adaptation to environmental conditions.
A recent study found that enzyme Dicer plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of chromosomes. In mammalian cells, Dicer works with protein BRD4 to promote genome stability. Removing Dicer from embryonic stem cells caused chromosome misalignment and cell death.
A recent study confirms that tuberculosis strains associated with marine mammals were also present in inland populations in pre-colonial South America. The researchers found three new ancient TB genomes from human remains in the highlands of Colombia, which resemble a TB variant found in seals and sea lions.
A new mathematical framework has been created to study fitness landscapes of regulatory DNA, enabling the prediction of gene expression changes. The framework uses a neural network model trained on millions of experimental measurements to decipher the evolutionary past and future of non-coding sequences.
Researchers discovered a micro-protein, Nrs1, that supports cell division and proliferation when nutrients are scarce in yeast cells. This finding sheds light on how evolution subtly reshapes genome plasticity to adapt to changing environments.
A new molecular study of grasses reveals a clear picture of their evolutionary relationships, shedding light on the evolution of C4 photosynthesis involved in heat and drought tolerance. The research provides evidence that this type of photosynthesis evolved independently multiple times within different grass lineages.
Research suggests that genetic material from E. coli bacteria in farm animals may contribute to the evolution of deadly pandemic strains. The study found that ColV plasmids in pigs, cattle, and chickens can increase the likelihood of antimicrobial resistance and extra-intestinal infections in humans.
Researchers from the University of Oxford's Big Data Institute have created a single genealogy tracing the ancestry of all humans, combining genome sequences from eight databases and 3,609 individual genomes. The study successfully recaptured key events in human evolutionary history, including migration out of Africa.
Research shows that asexual reproduction in stick insects, such as parthenogenesis, reduces genetic variability and slows down adaptation to environmental changes. This negatively impacts the speed of adaptation and genetic diversity in these insects.
Researchers have found that SARS-CoV-2 variants can emerge more quickly than expected, driven by a short-lived increase in mutation rate. This phenomenon was observed in variants such as Delta, which emerged within six weeks of its ancestral form.
A recent study reveals that parthenogenesis, a type of asexual reproduction, leads to a loss of efficiency in selecting beneficial mutations, reduced genetic diversity, and decreased heterozygosity in stick insects. This has significant implications for species' ability to adapt to changing environments.
Researchers analyzed expanded genetic markers to estimate evolutionary distance between Archaea and Bacteria, finding a long branch length that separates the two domains. The study suggests that conventional methods may underestimate true branch length and diversity of Archaea.
A new study from the University of Georgia reveals that pollen begins expressing its own genome at a specific point in its life cycle. This discovery has significant implications for plant breeding, as it allows researchers to predict how plant species adapt to environmental changes and potentially speed up crop development.
The Colorado potato beetle has evolved rapid resistance to insecticides by leveraging its existing genetic diversity, allowing different populations to quickly adapt and overcome new chemicals. This wealth of diversity will likely make the pest difficult to control in the future.
Researchers used Hi-C sequencing to identify three-dimensional chromosome structures in 11 carnivore species, showing conserved chromatin structures across families despite millions of years of evolution. This approach could facilitate identifying related genes and placing them in context.
Researchers used an ancient fish, elephant sharks, to gain insights into human biology and how a widely used medication works. The findings show that progesterone receptor activation in humans requires a different mix of hormones and steroids than in elephants sharks, with the latter not inhibited by RU486.
Researchers analyzed the largest genomic dataset of plants, revealing how early traits like stomata and roots evolved. The study sheds light on the genetic basis of plant evolution, highlighting the role of new and old genes in adapting to land colonization.
Researchers found that different types of ornaments in male yellowthroats are linked to the same superior genes that enhance survival of offspring. Females prefer larger-sized features such as a large black mask or large yellow 'bibs' depending on their location.
A recent study published in PLOS Genetics found that genetic legacy from the last glaciation influences reindeer's migratory behavior. Caribou with more northern ancestry were more likely to migrate longer distances, highlighting an evolutionary adaptation to harsh tundra environments.
A researcher is studying the pufferfish genome to understand its evolutionary history and how it developed distinctive physical traits. The study aims to uncover the underlying genetic mechanisms behind the fish's varying body shapes and extreme sizes.
The genome of Steller's sea cow reveals genes that may have played a role in its adaptation to cold marine environments, similar to those found in humans with the skin disease ichthyosis. The study also found similarities between Steller's sea cows and cetaceans in certain genes involved in energy metabolism.
A research team led by University of Adelaide found tangible evidence that Australian elapids arrived by sea rather than land. The study analyzed genomes of two Australian elapids and compared them to marine and semi-marine elapid sea snakes, finding similarities with marine life genes.
A recent study found that many marine invertebrates, including sponges and jellyfish, retain the same chromosomal structure as their primitive ancestors over 600 million years ago. This discovery underscores the conservatism of evolution and provides a key link between humans and our distant ancestors.
The study behind PopHumanVar explores how human genomes have adapted to environmental pressures and dietary changes throughout history. The database allows for the identification of specific mutations responsible for adaptive events, such as lactose digestion in European populations.
A recent study found 24 different pathotypes of Phytophthora sojae in Quebec and Ontario compared to eight in Manitoba, indicating declining resistance to Rps genes. More than 85% of fields surveyed contained isolates that could overcome the Rps genes present in planted varieties.
Researchers discovered adaptations allowing desert fish to thrive in harsh conditions by maintaining genetic diversity and adapting genes for aridity. This finding challenges the idea that small populations are evolutionary dead ends.
The Earth BioGenome Project has entered a new phase with the start of full-scale genome sequencing, aiming to sequence all known eukaryotic life. The project's Deep-Ocean Genomes Project will explore deep-sea life, which is considered vulnerable to ocean acidification and warming.
Scientists at UC Berkeley developed a new structure prediction method that modeled 500 secreted proteins in fungal pathogen Magnaporthe oryzae. The method revealed novel sequence-unrelated effectors and common folds among plant pathogens.
Researchers found patches of low mutation rates in the genome with essential gene over-representation, suggesting a protective mechanism. This discovery could lead to advances in plant breeding and human genetics, potentially helping breed better crops or fight cancer.
Researchers found that plants have evolved a way to protect their most important genes from mutation, which has significant implications for understanding crop domestication and cancer. The study discovered non-random patterns in DNA mutations, with essential genes overrepresented in regions where mutations are rare.
Research on hybrid threespine stickleback fish found that genetic signatures of hybrid incompatibilities are environment-dependent. Fish raised in ponds had a lower incidence of mismatched genes due to ecological pressures, whereas lab-reared fish showed no difference in heterozygosity.
Scientists have discovered recently evolved regions in the 'dark genome' that code for proteins associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. These protein biomarkers could help distinguish between the two conditions and identify patients at risk of psychosis or suicide.
Scientists found that seven genes associated with bright-light vision are absent in burrowing snakes, demonstrating extensive vision gene loss over millions of years. This challenges the hypothesis that all modern snakes evolved from extreme burrowers, suggesting a different evolutionary path for these subterranean snakes.
Researchers have identified the specific genetic regulatory elements responsible for Hydra head regeneration, showing that dynamic chromatin remodeling and transcription factor motifs play a crucial role. This discovery sheds light on the complex developmental processes involved in this remarkable regenerative ability.
A new study led by York University reveals that Western Honey Bees originated in Western Asia, with genetic data suggesting a strong connection to this region. The research highlights the importance of understanding the origin and evolution of these vital pollinators to inform their management and conservation.
Researchers developed a kinetic hypothesis governing the evolution of the Last Universal Common Ancestor (LUCA) based on simulation experiments. They discovered a kinetic factor that governs the flow of chemical reactions in the TCA cycle, validating their hypothesis for deep-branching bacteria and archaea.
A recent study by Colorado State University researchers found that COVID-19 can evolve and spread rapidly among animal species after infection from humans. The team analyzed mutation types occurring in cats, dogs, ferrets, and hamsters, discovering a broad range of viral variants that emerged and became prevalent.
Researchers found monarch-like genetic mutations in four organisms that eat monarchs, including the black-headed grosbeak and eastern deer mouse. These mutations help these predators tolerate the toxic milkweed toxins stored in the butterflies' bodies.
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University identified unifying features in the early evolution of X and Y chromosomes. They found common genetic compensation mechanisms, deterioration, and similarities between sex chromosomes derived from the same non-sex chromosome. These findings suggest universal traits in sex chromosome evolution.
Researchers from the University of Rochester have further evidence that genes are evolving defensive mechanisms to counteract harmful genetic elements. The study found that specific genes developed weapons-like structures to combat 'parasites' in the human genome, highlighting the ongoing 'arms race' between these two forces.
A genetic comparison of nearly two-thirds of the known species of rockfish pinpoints genes linked to their varying lifespans, which range from less than a decade to over 200 years. The study highlights trade-offs of long lifespan, including smaller populations and adaptations that increase survival
A new study published in Science Advances has shed light on the genetic basis of human appearance features by investigating the role of Hox genes. The researchers replaced the proboscipedia gene in a common laboratory fruit fly with its counterpart from a rarer Hawaiian cousin, revealing that Hox genes function as scaffolds for downstr...
Researchers used CRISPR gene-editing tools to show that a gene controlling bone growth in fish fins plays the same role in forming fingers and toes in four-legged creatures. The study suggests that the last common ancestor between ray- and lobe-finned fish already had the genetic toolkit to shape their appendages.
Researchers analyzed the genome of 300 individuals from 15 Mexican ethnic groups to understand their evolutionary histories and adaptability to global changes. The study found that Native Mexican peoples have biological characteristics influenced by their complex history, including susceptibility to certain diseases.
An international team of researchers identified genes associated with plant survival in the Atacama Desert, a harsh environment in Chile. These findings may help scientists breed crops that can thrive in increasingly dry climates and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Mangroves have evolved a remarkable resistance to stress in harsh ocean environments. Researchers decoded the genome of Bruguiera gymnorhiza and found that it regulates genes to cope with stress, using adaptive epigenetic changes to survive.
Researchers found that Pseudomonas aeruginosa populations in CF patients' sinuses vary widely, with evolution following two stages: pathoadaptive community formation and fragmentation. This discovery may inform new therapeutic approaches by focusing on strongest evolutionary pressures.
Researchers found that DNA tangles create mutational hotspots in bacterial genomes, influencing evolution. By altering the sequence to prevent hairpin tangles, they can predict how microbes might mutate under selective pressure.
A new study has identified a transposon promoter that plays a crucial role in the development of mice and may also be essential for human viability. The discovery suggests that ancient viral DNA has been domesticated to regulate key biological processes, such as cell proliferation and embryo implantation.
The study analyzed SARS-CoV-2 genomic surveillance data from England, identifying key variants like Alpha and Delta that changed the course of the epidemic. These variants led to significant growth advantages, with Delta's growth rate being 59% higher than Alpha's, more than doubling the average growth rate of the virus.
The study provides a unique genomic blueprint for understanding the complex mechanisms linking obesity with comorbidities like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. The Ossabaw pig's genome is highly relevant to humans, making it an ideal model for studying human obesity.
A team of researchers has discovered a unique organism that lacks essential genes for copying and distributing its DNA. The free-living protist Carpediemonas membranifera is unable to produce kinetochore proteins, which separate chromosomes during cell division.
Scientists have developed a technique to sequence individual malaria parasites' genomes, allowing for the detection of new mutations. These mutations are often targeting a gene family controlling transcription in malaria, suggesting potential avenues for developing more effective treatments and vaccines.
Researchers found that recessive Mendelian disease-causing genes were less likely to be swept out of populations, potentially due to genetic interference. This allowed these genes to persist longer in human populations despite their harmful effects.
Research on the giant water bug found a mismatch between its phylogenetic distance and reproductive isolation. The species' genetic differentiation is consistent with the formation of the Tsushima Strait, which separated Japan from mainland Eurasia about 1.55 million years ago.
Researchers from Washington University in St. Louis uncovered why hybridization among brown anoles is rare in their native range but common in new geographic territories. The study highlights the importance of environmental degradation in facilitating hybridization, which can contribute to biodiversity declines.
A new genetic study reveals hundreds of genes that evolved to be turned on or off in the human uterus during early pregnancy, shedding light on what makes human pregnancy uniquely human. These genes are involved in cell-to-cell communication, immune response regulation, and placental invasion, highlighting the importance of evolutionar...
A new study reveals hepatitis B virus (HBV) has been infecting humans for millennia, tracing its evolution from prehistory to the present. The research highlights HBV's dispersal routes and shifts in viral diversity mirroring human migrations and demographic events.
A team of researchers discovered that KNOX and BELL transcription factors evolved to activate zygotes in plants, later shifting their role to maintain organ development in land plants. The study used the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha as a model organism.