Research on how genomes change over time. Covers hidden DNA structure, chromosome bursts in cancer, plant pangenomes, and microbial adaptation.
A recent study has found that mites and ticks belong to the same evolutionary lineage, with over 42,000 mite species and 12,000 tick species described. This discovery expands our understanding of arthropod biodiversity and highlights the importance of genomic data in clarifying long-standing debates.
Researchers have developed new sequencing technologies to generate more complete reference genomes of Caenorhabditis elegans, a widely studied model organism. The studies provide insights into the organism's genome structure, gene regulation, and development, expanding its usefulness for biologists.
A recent study has sequenced the genomes of Leptospira bacteria from around the globe, revealing 30 new species and reorganizing the genus into four distinct lineages. The findings provide new insights into the evolution and diversity of Leptospira bacteria, which are a major cause of zoonotic disease affecting millions worldwide.
Researchers discovered that whales and elephants have evolved to beat cancer through unique genetic mechanisms. By studying the genomes of humpback whales and other cetaceans, scientists found evidence of faster-evolving parts of the genome that help these animals adapt to their environment.
The study provides a reference framework for breeding and improvement of the peanut crop, revealing the origin of peanut in South America and genetic mechanisms that generated diversity. The team mapped the entire peanut genome, identifying key traits like seed size and disease resistance.
Researchers found that MSI intensity and mutational load significantly impact MMR-deficient tumors' response to PD-1 therapy. Higher mutational loads result in better responses to treatment.
Researchers at Colorado State University investigate how genome doubling influences the biology of key crop plants, including wheat and kiwifruit. They aim to understand how energy production is altered following genome-doubling events in plant cells.
Michigan State University researchers have discovered an evolutionary function in wild tomato plants that could be used by modern plant breeders to create pest-resistant tomatoes. The team identified a specific gene that produces a sticky compound, which acts as natural insect repellent and helps protect the plant from insects.
Researchers found higher rates of adaptive evolution in genes involved in resource allocation, particularly in seeds and endosperm tissues. This suggests that conflicts among kin can lead to rapid evolution, supporting the idea of an evolutionary arms race within plant families.
Biologists seek to determine why bodies eliminate DNA during hybridization, aiming to grasp the molecular mechanisms behind this process. By studying frogs, they hope to unlock the secrets of genome elimination and its crucial role in species survival.
The study found that certain genes, specifically transcription factors, code for proteins that fine-tune gene expression during the medusa stage. Jellyfish have a unique genetic toolkit, distinct from corals and anemones, which enables their development and growth.
Researchers from University of Kansas will analyze genomic data from ancient and contemporary Aleutian Islanders to understand their evolutionary and cultural history. The study aims to uncover the genetic influence of Russian colonization and how the unique environment prompted biological adaptations.
Researchers found that noncoding DNA regions play a crucial role in the evolution of flightlessness in disparate bird species. The study's results contradict previous findings on protein-coding DNA changes and suggest rapid, convergent adaptations across taxa.
Researchers analyzed 11 songbird species genomes and found that junk DNA facilitated the separation of sex chromosomes. Only dosage-sensitive genes survived on the W chromosome due to recombination suppression, leading to long-term genetic erosion and functional gene retention.
Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in understanding snake genomes, including the evolution of venom genes, dosage compensation mechanisms, and sex determination systems. The study provides a comprehensive genomic context for these complex biological processes, offering new insights into the unique adaptations of snakes.
Daniel Hartl receives the 2019 Thomas Hunt Morgan Medal for his influential contributions to experimental and theoretical genetics research, combining mathematical models with cutting-edge techniques. His work explains how DNA mutations are passed through generations, influencing species divergence.
Researchers identified 1,148 hot spots with unusually high numbers of structural variants in the genome, including sections near genes linked to sense of smell, blood function, and immunity. The study suggests balancing selection drives adaptation and malleability of human DNA.
A new study reveals that random DNA sections can evolve into novel proteins, contributing to biodiversity and challenging classic assumptions about protein evolution. At least 175 de novo genes were detected, with 57% translating into new peptides.
Researchers found that mutations in cancer genes disrupt regulatory links between unicellular and multicellular genes, leading to widespread downstream dysregulation. The study provides a novel framework for identifying key mutations in cancer cells.
The completed genome of the Antarctic blackfin icefish reveals genes that have adapted or disappeared as the fish acclimated to rising oxygen concentrations. The study provides insights into how these traits arose and may help understand human disease mechanisms and potential new therapies.
A recent study published in Nature Genetics reveals the intricate evolutionary history of cultivated strawberries, which originated from the hybridization of four diploid species native to Europe, Asia, and North America. The octoploid strawberry genome analysis has identified genes controlling fruit quality traits and disease resistan...
A recent study found that grasses can acquire genes from at least nine donor species, including those involved in photosynthesis and disease resistance. This mechanism allows certain plants to adapt quickly to environmental changes.
The study found that the great white shark's genome contains a plethora of genetic changes indicating molecular adaptation in genes with important roles in maintaining genome stability, DNA repair, and DNA damage tolerance. These adaptations could be behind the evolutionary success of large-bodied and long-lived sharks.
Scientists discovered grasses are genetically modifying themselves by taking genes from neighbors, gaining a competitive advantage and breaking the rules of evolution. This process, called lateral gene transfer, allows them to adapt to their environment without millions of years of natural selection.
Researchers sequenced mitochondrial genomes to understand penguin evolution, revealing two new extinct species on the Chatham Islands. The discovery sheds light on how humans impacted New Zealand's marine biodiversity in the past.
Research reveals three genome regions control butterfly mating behavior, explaining why hybrids are rare. The study also finds that despite genetic mixing, distinct species traits remain intact due to natural selection. Further research may apply lessons from butterflies to human evolution and behavior.
Researchers studied genome sequences of various species to understand the genetic factors behind limb loss in snakes. By analyzing gene regulatory elements, they found that only one gene was lost in snakes, but not its associated regulatory element, suggesting a more complex process.
A study by Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona identifies 873 new regions of the human genome as candidates for natural selection, increasing the total number of detected signals to date. These new regions provide valuable data to help answer questions about human origins and adaptations.
A team of researchers led by Professor Hopi Hoekstra conducted a years-long study on the survival of light- and dark-colored mice in different habitats. The results confirmed the intuition that light-colored mice survive better in light-colored habitats, and also pinpointed a mutation related to survival that affects pigmentation.
Researchers discovered that isolated populations of threespine sticklebacks develop comparable characteristics in alkaline and acidic habitats, suggesting a shared genetic basis. The study found that changes in the genome proceed in similar ways across different habitats, making evolution predictable.
A recent study analyzing genomic differentiation among six baboon species found evidence for hybridization of ancient and recent generations. This research provides new insights into the evolution of the genome, shedding light on complex evolutionary divergence and genetic admixture in modern humans and extinct relatives.
Researchers analyzed 5 birds-of-paradise species' genomes, identifying genes linked to coloration, morphology, and feather development. The study provides insights into the evolutionary mechanisms behind the extraordinary plumage of these birds.
Researchers developed PopPUNK, a computational tool that analyzes tens of thousands of bacterial genomes in a single run, up to 200-fold faster than previous methods. This enables the efficient estimation of population structure and easy identification of emerging strains.
Scientists have used deep learning algorithms to identify a new and hitherto-unknown ancestor of humans that would have interbred with modern humans tens of thousands of years ago. The analysis suggests that the extinct species was a hybrid of Neanderthals and Denisovans, providing new insights into human evolution.
Researchers found that differences in genetic origins between mitochondrial and nuclear DNA can affect energy production by mitochondria. In populations with mixed ancestry, natural selection may guide the trajectory of mitochondria-related genes towards similar geographic origins.
Researchers have identified a new genus of filovirus from fruit bats in China, which shares similarities with Ebola and Marburg viruses. The Mengla virus has been found in different geographic locations than other filoviruses and poses a potential risk of interspecies transmission.
A recent study sequenced the genome of the Hawaiian bobtail squid, revealing unique evolutionary footprints in symbiotic organs that house beneficial bacteria. The research provides clues about how these partnerships are maintained and lays the groundwork for furthering knowledge of human microbiome relationships.
Researchers at University of East Anglia have successfully sequenced the common primrose's complete genome sequence, revealing the landscape of genes involved in its two different flowering forms. This breakthrough provides fresh insight into a puzzle that has captivated scientists for over 150 years.
Researchers at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory have developed a method to identify important genes in the human genome using natural selection. By analyzing epigenomic features and evolutionary history, they created fitness consequence maps that can guide future research.
The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology has unveiled a new web-based tool called ORTHOSCOPE, which quickly analyzes genomic data to estimate gene trees and identify sets of ancestral genes. This allows researchers to infer gene functions and understand species evolution.
Researchers at the University of Konstanz have found a novel genomic mechanism for sex determination in swordtail fish, resulting from decades-long hybridisation experiments. The study reveals that introgression and selection of pigmentation phenotypes contribute to the rapid evolution of a new sex chromosome.
Researchers at Yale University discovered genetic variants linked to DNA repair, immune response, and cancer suppression in giant tortoises that enable them to live over 100 years. These findings provide new insights into aging research and could lead to breakthroughs in human health.
The Aurelia genome study reveals jellyfish recycled existing genes to transform from polyps to medusae, indicating early animals can easily adapt and radiate into new forms. This research provides insights into evolution, nervous system development, and potentially controlling environmentally damaging jellyfish blooms.
Research reveals genes that benefit one sex but harm the other can lead to poorer health in women after menopause. Genes that improve late-life male fitness accumulate even if they harm female fitness.
The study analyzes genome data from multiple species, including humans, mice, and zebrafish, to understand the evolutionary transition from invertebrates to vertebrates. The research identifies key differences in gene regulation between vertebrates and invertebrates, highlighting complex gene regulation and specialization.
Researchers found that vertebrate genomes underwent two whole genome duplications, driving the evolution of genetic characteristics. The study, published in Nature, also revealed regulatory mechanisms shared between lancelets and vertebrates, shifting our understanding of gene control along the evolutionary timeline.
Researchers discovered genetic retroelements copying into and harming bacterial genomes, indicating a potential role in eukaryotic cell emergence. The study suggests an interplay between DNA repair mechanisms and retroelements may have driven evolutionary pressures.
The study found that the common ancestor of Deinococcus species was rod-shaped, with six conserved genes (MreB, MreC, MreD, MrdA, RodA, and RodZ) present in all rod-shaped species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that major gene loss occurred four times during evolution, generating spherical shape species.
A comparative analysis of eight Pezizomycete fungi reveals that truffle-forming species have evolved independently due to symbiotic relationships with host plants. The study also highlights the importance of underground networks in shaping these ecosystems and impacting global carbon cycling.
A study on female guppies reveals that genetic variation and light exposure during rearing impact their color preferences. The findings suggest a link between female guppies' responsiveness to visual signals and the evolution of diverse male color patterns.
A team of evolutionary biologists reconstructed the genomic and metabolic characteristics of a 400-million-year-old common ancestor of more than 1,000 budding yeast species. This ancestor was metabolically diverse, able to live on a third more food sources than modern counterparts.
A new study finds that organisms with small genomes and cells are well-suited for life in hot soils, even in extreme conditions. The research reveals a link between these microbes and ancient permafrost genome sizes, sparking questions about the minimum requirements for cell and genome size.
Scientists have discovered that DNA damage and repair processes can generate sequence periodicity in the genomes of eukaryotes, favouring a certain composition with a periodic nature. This explanation offers an alternative to natural selection, which has been accepted by the scientific community to date.
Researchers found that barn swallow subspecies evolved independently of humans but in sync with human expansion and settlement, suggesting a significant link between the two species. The study suggests a 'founder event' where swallows rapidly expanded into new environments alongside humans.
Researchers have sequenced the Eurasian perch genome, which is three times smaller than the human genome yet contains over 23,000 genes. The study reveals the genetic mechanisms behind the species' ability to adapt to extreme environmental conditions and its significant impact on methane cycle in lakes.
Researchers report genome assemblies of Eurasian trembling aspen and North American quaking aspen, highlighting the influence of gene network connectivity on genetic diversity. The study suggests that genetic variation is shaped by gene expression levels and regulation in these species.
Researchers confirm six genetically distinct tiger subspecies through genome-wide analysis of 32 tiger specimens, revealing unique features and evolutionary histories for each group. The findings provide robust evidence for subspecies delineation in tigers.
Researchers from UChicago used genetic analysis and CRISPR/Cas9 editing to discover a single gene that controls the white or yellow spots on the wings of Heliconius butterflies. This gene, called aristaless1 (al1), acts as a switch for color variation, with elevated expression leading to white spots.
Researchers at OIST and Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology have decoded the entire genome of the striped catfish, revealing new details about its evolutionary lineage and genes related to disease resistance. The genome data will enable aquaculturists to develop molecular markers for optimal breeding
Researchers traced cacao trees' origin to a single domestication event around 3,600 years ago in Central America. The study found that domestication selected for desirable traits like flavor and disease resistance but also introduced counterproductive genes that lowered crop yields.