Research on how genomes change over time. Covers hidden DNA structure, chromosome bursts in cancer, plant pangenomes, and microbial adaptation.
Researchers found widespread imbalances in chromosomal gains and losses between cells taken from different parts of tumors, indicating ongoing evolution and selection for preferred traits. This high-level variation was observed across all tumor types analyzed, with some regions showing mirrored subclonal allele imbalance.
Researchers have published the most comprehensive genome information for three troublesome agricultural weeds, which could lead to better understanding of herbicide resistance. The genomes will help identify specific enzymes responsible for detoxifying herbicides, enabling scientists to develop new control methods.
Researchers found Anoxychlamydiales, a group of Chlamydiae living without oxygen, with hydrogen-producing genes. These genes were likely exchanged with eukaryotes during the evolution of complex life, providing insight into the origins of eukaryotic cellular complexity.
A Montana State University researcher contributed to a novel project that sequenced the genome of the tuatara, a reptile referred to as a 'living fossil.' The study reveals ancient features of amniote evolution and provides insights into human genetic lineage.
Scientists have deciphered the ancient genome of the tuatara, a reptile native to New Zealand, revealing patterns that shed light on vertebrate evolution and genomic structure. The study's findings confirm the evolutionary position of the tuatara and provide insights into human genomes.
Researchers at UC San Diego used CRISPR and evolutionary engineering to test foreign DNA in E. coli and observed that most mutations occurred in regulatory regions, not within the foreign gene itself. The study reveals the importance of systems biology in understanding biological function and its implications for genetic engineering.
Researchers synthesized current evidence on gene regulatory networks and neuronal networks to understand animal behavior. The integration of these networks reveals complex dynamics, including environmental factors and social behavior influencing gene expression changes.
Scientists have found a link between mutation rate and genome size in prokaryotes, with higher mutation rates associated with faster gene loss and smaller genomes. The study challenges the current idea that population size is the main factor driving genome reduction in prokaryotes.
Researchers sequenced the tuatara genome, confirming its divergence from lizards and snakes about 250 million years ago. The study found that tuatara have a unique constitution, including a lot of repetitive DNA segments with no known function, which may help them escape predators and live up to 100 years.
A new study has provided the world's most detailed phylogenetic analysis of asterids, a group of flowering plants that include coffee, heather, and tomatoes. The research, conducted by the University of Bonn and international partners, sheds light on the evolutionary history of these species and their relationships.
The study reveals changes in hearing genes that contribute to echolocation, expansions of anti-viral genes, and loss of inflammation genes in bats. The high-quality bat genomes provide a genomic record of historical tolerance to viral infection and may hold the key to alleviating human ageing and disease.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of six widely divergent living bat species, uncovering key findings on gene expansions and losses that contribute to bats' unique traits. The study reveals 'fossilized viruses,' evidence of surviving past viral infections, and genetic signatures of ancient viral interactions.
Researchers are using art to fill gaps in the history of fruits, vegetables, and cereal crops by analyzing ancient depictions. By studying artworks, they can determine what these plants looked like and where they were found in the past.
Recent genomic data reveal emerging insights into plastid evolution, highlighting the complexity of their origins and history. Plastids are found patchily distributed across eukaryotic lineages, with secondary and tertiary acquisitions contributing to their diversity.
Researchers have identified 32 genes associated with cannibalistic eating behavior in mandarin fish, which feed exclusively on living juvenile fish of their own species. This behavior leads to high mortality rates and economic losses in aquaculture.
Researchers identified 37 supergenes in wild sunflower populations that govern the modular transfer of traits important for adaptation. These supergenes can be truly massive, with the largest comprising over 100 million base pairs and 1,819 genes.
Researchers used HTS to analyze viral genomes, tracing the evolutionary history of two emerging viruses, GPGV and GINV. They found that these viruses likely originated in Asia before spreading globally through trade and human activity.
A new study finds that excessive human interference is causing bacteria to become
A study by researchers at the National Human Genome Research Institute suggests that genetic variants associated with familial Mediterranean fever (FMF) may confer increased resistance to the bubonic plague. The findings propose a link between FMF and protection against Yersinia pestis, the bacterium responsible for the plague.
A study found that gene retention depends on functional and structural entanglement, which measures interdependency between gene structure and function. This suggests that some gene duplicates are retained due to the limitations of their protein products.
Scientists developed a software tool called halSynteny to quickly find similar parts in the genomes of different animals. The program uses an alignment method and is more efficient than other tools, allowing for accurate comparisons and understanding of species' evolutionary relationships.
The study provides a comprehensive understanding of the diversity of blood thinners in leech saliva, shedding light on their potential use in hospital settings. The leech genome sequence offers critical insight into the evolution of bloodfeeding in leeches and may revolutionize the treatment of certain medical conditions.
A new study suggests the measles virus emerged in humans around 528 BCE, thousands of years earlier than previously thought. Researchers used lung samples and genome sequencing data to reconstruct the virus's evolutionary history, tracing its emergence from a cattle-infecting relative.
Researchers assembled 26 soybean genomes, identifying 14 million SNPs, to build a graph-based genome. This pan-genome reveals key genetic variations driving agronomic traits in soybeans.
Researchers found that Tibetan antelopes permanently express a juvenile form of hemoglobin, which has higher oxygen affinity, allowing them to thrive at high altitudes. This adaptation enables the animals to sustain running speeds of over 70 km/h and travel long distances without oxygen deprivation.
The bitter gourd's genome shows unusual domestication patterns, revealing its divergence from wild strains 6000 years ago. The study provides insights into the evolution of this summer vegetable, which has been prized for its health benefits and medicinal properties.
Analysis of SARS-CoV-2 genomes in California patients revealed a complex series of introductions, limiting transmission between communities. The study suggests that social distancing and travel restrictions are crucial to contain COVID-19 spread in the state.
The study focuses on flipons, DNA sequences that act as on-off switches to change genetic information. Flipons enable the compilation of multiple messages from a single genomic sequence, generating more diversity than mutation or DNA rearrangements.
A new review reveals a surprising number of exceptions to the purported rules of sex chromosome evolution, questioning their applicability across species. Global dosage compensation is found to be the exception rather than the rule, and studies show high rates of turnover and diversity in sex chromosomes.
A new genomic analysis reveals a decrease in genetic variants associated with ADHD across the human evolutionary lineage. The study suggests that favourable selection may have occurred in ancestral environments, leading to the high prevalence of ADHD in modern populations.
A collaboration between Otago University and ESR has received a grant to sequence all of New Zealand's positive COVID-19 cases. The team will create a web browser application to track the virus's evolution, epidemiology, and transmission chains in NZ.
The release of 216 SARS-CoV-2 genomes from Austria provides insights into the virus's transmission cluster and genetic diversity. The data analysis reveals a highly diverse pool of circulating viruses, with some leading to bigger transmission clusters, and identifies key mutations in the viral S protein.
Researchers from St Petersburg University have deciphered the Intoshia variabili gene, revealing a genome size of 15.3 million base pairs and 5,120 genes, including orphan genes unique to orthonectids. The study provides genetic evidence that orthonectids belong to Annelida, a type of animal with no real intraorganism parasites.
Three carnivorous plant species, including Venus flytrap, sundew, and waterwheel, have a shared genetic basis for their insect-trapping mechanisms. Despite their unique adaptations, these plants are among the most gene-poor known, with fewer genes than most other plants.
A team of researchers discovered the genome sequence of catmint, revealing unique enzymes responsible for producing the cat attractant nepetalactone. The ability to produce iridoids had been lost in ancestors of catmint, but was later re-evolved in this species.
The Gidget sea otter genome is now publicly available, revealing low genetic diversity and potentially harmful variation within genes. This provides valuable insights into the evolutionary history and conservation of this threatened species.
A recent study published in Frontiers in Immunology found that pangolins lack two virus-sensing genes, which may help them tolerate the coronavirus. Understanding this evolutionary advantage could lead to new treatment options for COVID-19 in humans.
Researchers identified close to 200 recurrent genetic mutations in the virus, suggesting it may be adapting and evolving to its human hosts. The study found a large proportion of global genetic diversity is concentrated in hardest-hit countries, indicating extensive global transmission from early on.
The use of genomic data is crucial in combating extinction, as 44.3% of species are currently in decline. Conservation genomics can help identify bad mutations that can weaken populations and inform breeding strategies.
A new simulation model describes various modes of cancer evolution in a unified manner, shedding light on therapeutic resistance and novel strategies. The study found that linear evolution occurs with strong driver mutations, while intratumor heterogeneity is shaped by natural selection or neutral evolution.
A team of HKUST researchers has analyzed the genome sequence of the scaly-foot snail, a deep-sea creature with armor-like scales. The study reveals that the snail's unique morphology is largely determined by genes already present in other mollusks, such as squid and pearl oysters.
Researchers found that genomic changes occurred quickly, with river variants increasing in frequency by 2.5% over a single generation. This study demonstrates rapid evolution in non-microorganisms, potentially aiding organisms to cope with human-induced environmental changes.
A new theoretical framework for heredity proposes that information is stored outside the genome, in regulatory molecules that help cells function. This approach may provide new avenues for understanding hereditary diseases and evolution.
A landmark 10-article collection clarifies oak evolution from deep roots to recent adaptations, identifying key genes involved in resistance to pathogens and genomic evidence for 56 million years of oak evolution. The study provides valuable insights into tree biology, particularly in response to rapid environmental change.
Scientists used chromosomes to study early events in vertebrate evolution, including the hybridization between two species of primitive fish. They found evidence of genome duplication and identified 17 ancient chromosomal units that were shared among jawed vertebrates.
A University of Ottawa researcher suggests that stray dogs and their intestines may have originated the current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The study found that coronaviruses in dog intestines have a similar genetic signature to SARS-CoV-2, with low levels of CpG dinucleotides that evade human antiviral defenses.
A new study reveals that transposable elements contribute to cell-specific chromatin looping, gene regulation, and species divergence. The researchers developed software MapGL to track physical gain and loss of genetic sequences across species, shedding light on the evolutionary influences of structural variations.
A research team led by Jonathan Losos will sequence the genomes of 200 species of Anolis lizards and introduce genetic changes using CRISPR to test their effects on adaptation. The study aims to identify genes responsible for evolutionary adaptation in Central American lizards.
The availability of Austrian SARS-CoV-2 genomes has shed light on the virus' evolutionary trajectory in the human population. Initial analysis revealed an average of 6 mutations differing from the Wuhan reference genome, suggesting positive selection pressure and evolution within the human population.
Scientists have mapped the genome of the German shepherd, providing a reference for future studies of diseases that afflict this breed. The completed genome will enable early detection and development of breeding programs to reduce genetic diseases like hip dysplasia.
A recent study in Genome Biology and Evolution explores the genetic underpinnings of spider sociality, revealing rapidly evolving genes involved in behavior, immunity, and brain-specific expression. The analysis found differences in metabolic processes between solitary and social spiders, hinting at distinct hunting and feeding behaviors.
Scientists from University of Würzburg successfully sequenced sturgeon genome, showing genetic material has changed little over 250 million years. The study sheds light on the ancestry of vertebrates and provides important insights for protecting species.
Researchers at Uppsala University found that males facing competition for females have offspring with more harmful mutations. This is because increased sperm production comes at the expense of cellular surveillance, which prevents genetic damage.
Scientists at Uppsala University propose the SNAP Hypothesis to explain why genes move on chromosomes. This hypothesis suggests that tandem duplications of chromosome sections occur frequently, leading to changes in gene order over time. Random loss of unnecessary duplicated genes can result in rapid rearrangements of remaining genes.
Scientists have found that gene loss played a crucial role in the evolution of animals, particularly in deuterostomes and ecdysozoans. The study revealed unprecedented levels of gene loss in these lineages, contradicting the assumption that evolution leads to increased complexity.
Researchers at Osaka University discovered that the tadpole-like tunicate Oikopleura dioica uses calcium ion oscillation and right-sided Bmp gene expression to develop left-right asymmetry. Notably, the species lacks the Nodal gene found in other chordates.
A team of scientists created an algorithm to analyze genetic information and draw conclusions about the evolutionary history of species with whole-genome duplications. The program can identify when duplication occurred, how it affected the population, and make predictions about the evolutionary path of a species.
Researchers found that around one-third of orphan genes result from divergence, suggesting de novo emergence is more frequent than thought. Emerging genes carry potential to be important, as artificially expressed sequences showed increased growth rates in baker's yeast cells.
Researchers resurrected mammoth DNA and found unique genetic mutations affecting neurological development, male fertility, insulin signaling, and sense of smell. The study suggests that the small population's genetic defects may have hindered their survival.
This study reveals that chromothripsis is common across multiple types of cancer, with frequencies greater than 50% in some tumours. The research demonstrates how chromothripsis shapes the tumour genome, leading to oncogene amplification and loss of tumour suppressor genes.