Research on the human genome and what it shapes. Covers AI genomics, molecular aging, biodesign, and gene-environment effects.
Researchers developed novel variants of adeno-associated viral (AAV) capsids with improved transduction properties in the mouse retina and cornea. The efficient gene delivery of these variants was confirmed in non-human primate tissue, adding to their potential use in treating human ocular diseases.
Researchers at UC Davis aim to create humanized mice by replacing mouse ACE2 with human ACE2 using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, allowing for the study of COVID-19 disease progression and susceptibility variations.
A new algorithm reveals evidence of interbreeding between ancient humans and their relatives, with some humans carrying DNA from an unknown archaic ancestor. The study suggests that genetic exchange occurred frequently among overlapping groups.
Researchers discovered an alternative splicing mechanism enabling parasites to thrive in the human gut's low oxygen environment. The unique enzyme variant allows for anaerobic metabolism, raising hopes for targeted treatments that are safe for humans.
Researchers studying cichlid fishes aim to understand genetic mechanisms controlling facial development, which may also apply to humans. The study's findings could help determine if certain medications prescribed for human diseases might cause facial malformations in unborn babies.
A multidisciplinary team from UTMB discovered a Zika virus mutation that may have contributed to the 2015/2016 epidemic and microcephaly cases. The study found that this mutation enhances mother-to-baby transmission, neurological disease, and lethality in newborn mice.
The ENCODE project has completed Phase 3, providing insights into the human and mouse genomes' functional elements. The study identifies over 900,000 candidate regulatory elements from the human genome, shedding light on cancer biology and other topics.
Researchers successfully expressed and purified recombinant human coagulation factor XIIIa in Pichia pastoris, demonstrating biological activity. This expression system offers an efficient way to produce FXIIIa for further studies and potential large-scale production.
A research team led by Sika Zheng identifies a mechanism that prevents death of neurons, which is triggered at neuron birth and is crucial for maintaining neural circuit integrity. The study challenges the notion that neuronal survival is determined extrinsically.
A new international study has found evidence of stone tools dating back at least 30,000 years to the first human immigration to America. The discovery was made in a Mexican mountain cave and pushes the estimated arrival time back by approximately 15,000 years.
The discovery of Chiquihuite Cave in northern Mexico challenges the long-held theory that the Clovis people were the first human inhabitants of the Americas. The site dates back to 25,000-30,000 years ago, revealing a new narrative on the colonization of the Americas.
Researchers have comprehensively described the human tissue virome atlas using next-generation sequencing technology. They detected 39 viral species in somatic tissues from 547 individuals and found associations between virus infection and human gene expression and disease onset.
Scientists have tracked quadruple helix DNA formation in living human cells for the first time, allowing them to see how it works and its possible role in cancer. The discovery could reveal new targets for drugs that interrupt gene expression, a fundamental process in gene regulation.
Researchers have discovered a single-letter change in DNA that alters the way zebrafish build their spines, leading to shorter bodies and tortured-looking spines. This mutation has similarities with fossil specimens of ancestral fish, revealing insights into spine evolution and development.
Scientists have discovered that inserting the Nix gene in female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes converts them to fertile males, which could aid in mosquito control strategies. The converted males cannot fly due to the lack of another essential gene, myo-sex.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found that a strain of E. coli Nissle protects human cells against pathogenic E. coli bacteria. The study suggests that Nissle may be used to develop a treatment for E. coli infections, which affect millions annually.
TARA's in vitro human cardiac models replicate drug responses similar to those observed in humans, supporting their use as a robust platform for new medicines evaluation. The models' ability to reproduce diverse mechanisms of action showcases their applicability for cardiac drug discovery and development.
Researchers found a new formula that better matches canine-human life stages, with an 8-week-old dog equivalent to a 9-month-old baby. The study also identified developmental genes that drive aging and created an age-measuring clock for different species.
Materials scientists at Northwestern University have discovered a small number of impurity atoms that contribute to the strength but also make human enamel more soluble. The study, using atomic-scale resolution, sheds light on the spatial distribution of these impurities in the enamel's core-shell structure.
Researchers isolated 179 swine influenza viruses from pigs in China, grouped into six genotypes, and found one (G4 EA H1N1) exhibiting features characteristic of the 2009 pandemic lineage. The virus showed high infectivity and transmissibility in ferrets, raising concerns about its potential for pandemic spread in humans.
Genetic study reveals modern sled dog breeds share a distinct lineage that emerged at least 9,500 years ago. The analysis of ancient and modern Arctic dog genomes suggests gene flow from Siberian Pleistocene wolves, highlighting the importance of sled technology in human subsistence.
A new USC-led study demonstrates that the peptide humanin, found in mitochondria, is closely correlated with longer lives and better health in both animals and humans. Higher levels of humanin have been observed in organisms with lower risk for age-related diseases such as Alzheimer's.
A study by University of Utah Health found that genetic mutations accumulate at an accelerating rate during puberty, affecting lifespan and fertility. Young adults with slower rates of mutation accumulation lived about five years longer than those with faster rates.
Researchers find that the human-specific gene ARHGAP11B causes an enlarged neocortex in common marmosets, a non-human primate. The study suggests that this gene may have played a key role in the expansion of the human neocortex during evolution.
A new study charts a potential path for preserving and restoring historic works by identifying microbial communities on art. Researchers found that microbes on wood and canvas surfaces can produce chemicals influencing decay rates.
A recent study by Max Planck Institute researchers used stem cells and organoids to analyze the role of Neandertal DNA in human development. The team found that archaic DNA is present in nearly all modern humans outside Africa, with certain genes associated with skin and hair color being highly prevalent in Europeans.
Researchers used stem cells to study the developmental effects of Neandertal DNA, finding that archaic DNA contributes to skin and hair color traits prevalent in Europeans. The study provides a proof-of-principle for using organoids to track Neandertal-derived RNA across developmental processes.
A new study led by Liliana Dávalos explores how coronaviruses interact with goblet cells in bats, which may hold the key to understanding why some bats are resistant to these viruses. The research aims to compare the differences between bat and human nasal tissues, with potential implications for preventing future pandemics.
A team of researchers has identified fibroblasts as the primary cells producing VEGF-C processing enzymes in zebrafish embryos. This discovery sheds light on lymphatic vessel development and may have implications for human diseases, including lymphoedema and cancer metastasis.
Researchers are studying how bats adapt to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, hoping to understand the immune system's response and potentially inform human treatment. They will examine bat genome assemblies to identify patterns of gene duplication and gain/loss related to viral infection.
A new study from the University of Georgia has found that exposure to a banned flame retardant can alter the genetic code in sperm, leading to major health defects in children. The research focuses on paternal exposure prior to conception and uses a unique combination of observational and laboratory approaches.
Researchers mapped 88,047 individual cells across 33 brain regions in humans, chimpanzees, macaques, and bonobos to identify distinctive brain regions that underwent faster evolution. The study found differences in gene expression between human oligodendrocytes and astrocytes compared to other primates.
Researchers found that rare lefty garden snails have shells formed by a developmental accident rather than inheritance. Dr Angus Davison's appeal for help finding a mate for Jeremy led to the discovery of over 40 lefty snails, which were then bred together to test the genetics behind this condition.
Researchers used silicone dog tags as passive environmental samplers to collect data on everyday chemical exposures in dogs and their owners. They found significant correlations between exposure levels for owners and pets, as well as similarities in urinary biomarkers.
Researchers found that SARS-CoV-2 originated from a bat coronavirus and gained the ability to infect humans through exchanging a gene fragment with a pangolin coronavirus. The virus's genetic material was altered to bind to host cells, making it possible for it to infect human respiratory and intestinal epithelial cells.
A study on DNA data from 110 skeletal remains in West Asia dated 3,000 to 7,500 years ago found evidence of long-term genetic mixing and subtle population movements. The researchers suggest that this gradual change in genetic profile spread across the region over a thousand years, influencing the rise of urbanism.
Researchers developed a technique to generate human antibodies faster than existing methods using chicken immune system cells. The ADLib system can produce diverse antibodies with improved binding affinity, potentially leading to breakthroughs in cancer treatment and other medical applications.
A new study compares the distribution of mutations in human tumours to those in chimpanzees and gorillas. The research reveals that human tumours accumulate mutations in regions similar to those found in non-human primates, challenging previous theories on the genetic causes of cancer.
Two malaria vaccines developed using genetically engineered malaria parasites have shown safety and preliminary protection in phase 1/2a clinical trials. The vaccines, created by Isaie Reuling and Meta Roestenberg teams, delayed infections when exposed to mosquitoes infected with Plasmodium falciparum, the primary cause of malaria in h...
A new study uncovers genetic relationships of ancient humans in northern and southern China, showing a closer connection between present-day East Asians and Neolithic populations. The research highlights the impact of population movement on human history, revealing continuity back 9,500 years.
The study reveals 10 major hormone types and their interactions, shedding light on how enteroendocrine cells sense food and regulate hunger and satiety. The discovery offers new avenues for treating diseases like type 2 diabetes and obesity.
A study examines phalangeal curvature in a human-raised chimpanzee, revealing similar curvature to wild chimps but not humans. Genetic factors, not mechanical loading, are the main drivers of this curvature in chimpanzees and likely other arboreal primates.
Researchers analyzed DNA of 89 ancient humans in the central Andes, finding early genetic differences between regions and surprising continuity. Genetic analysis revealed a north-south substructure of the Highlands developing by 5,800 BP, with minimal changes to the genetic structure of the central Andean region between 2,000 and 500 BP.
A recent study published in PLOS Biology suggests that the re-emergence of bluetongue virus in France was caused by human activities, based on the virus' unusual genetic makeup. The research found a lack of mutations between outbreaks, indicating the virus may have been stored and then transmitted through artificial insemination.
Researchers have identified a new potential agent for treating preeclampsia using small interfering RNA molecules that target the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. In animal models, the treatment reduced symptoms of preeclampsia and improved fetal nutrition, suggesting a safe therapeutic option.
Researchers have devised a faster and less memory-intensive method for constructing pan-genome subgraphs, allowing scientists to create visualizations on different scales rapidly. The new method enables the analysis of specific genome parts in a more efficient manner.
Researchers at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center create a new platform to study the single-cell genomics of various diseases, potentially making genetic-based diagnoses more precise and effective. The study focuses on linking gene mutations to disease-causing processes in blood diseases like severe congenital neutropenia.
Researchers discovered multiple RNA elements in the upper stem of pri-miRNAs crucial for regulating miRNA expression. These elements affect miRNA processing, leading to dysregulation and abnormal cell activities. The study's findings may help interpret miRNA-related human diseases and develop clinical diagnostics.
A team at Colorado State University used a novel approach to test assumptions in NASA's model predicting health risks from space radiation. They found that the risk exceeds what is considered acceptable, highlighting the need for further research and validation.
A research team at the University of Bonn has discovered that the TLR8 immune sensor plays a crucial role in defending human cells against bacteria and other pathogens. The enzymes RNaseT2 and RNase2 break down bacterial RNA into characteristic fragments, allowing TLR8 to recognize and respond to the invasion.
A recent study suggests that the proportion of human-infecting viruses does not substantially vary across different taxonomic orders. The researchers found that species-rich orders tend to harbor more human-infecting viruses, but this number scales proportionately with the total number of viruses.
The discovery reveals that early human inhabitants of the Amazon tamed wild plants to grow manioc, squash and maize, creating 4,700 'forest islands' in northern Bolivia. This study confirms South West Amazonia as a center of plant domestication around 11,000 years ago.
Scientists successfully incorporated noncanonical amino acids into human hematopoietic stem cells, enabling the production of ncAA-containing proteins in living organisms. The modified stem cells provided a tool for studying human proteins in cell culture and living systems.
A new study from WashU Medicine found that captive apes' gut microbiomes are more similar to those of people who eat non-Western diets than their wild counterparts. The research also identified novel antibiotic resistance genes in wild apes and humans, highlighting the need for conservation efforts to protect endangered species.
Scientists have retrieved the oldest human genetic data set from an 800,000-year-old tooth, shedding light on the branching points in the human family tree. The findings support the idea that Homo antecessor was a sister group to modern humans, Neanderthals, and Denisovans.
A recent study supports the idea that modern humans and Neanderthals had multiple encounters, resulting in Neanderthal DNA being woven into the modern human genome. The research found that people in Eurasia today have genetic material linked to Neanderthals from different regions, including Siberia and Croatia.
The National Gene Vector Biorepository (NGVB) provides valuable resources to gene therapy investigators, including 93 unique reagents and a searchable database of animal safety studies. These resources aim to decrease compliance risks, address clinical trial funding periods, and reduce costs.
The researchers have developed a computational model of a human cell that simulates its behavior for up to 15 minutes, revealing the effects of spatial organization on genetic processes. The study provides new insights into how genes are regulated and developed, and how diseases such as cancer are formed.
Using high-throughput screening of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vector capsid libraries, researchers identified functional and efficient AAV variants after only one round of selection. Infection with a high multiplicity of infection (MOI) was found to be preferable to infection with a low MOI, reducing variation between screens.
Research reveals that prehistoric hyenas and humans migrated across continents at approximately the same time, with spotted hyenas showing extensive and complex migration patterns. The study also found signs of a detrimental impact on hyenas due to human activity.