Genome of Steller"s sea cow decoded
During the Ice Age, giant mammals such as mammoths, saber-toothed cats and wooly rhinoceroses once roamed Northern Europe and America. The cold oceans of the northern hemisphere were also home to giants like Steller's sea cow, which grew up to eight.....»»
3D folding of the genome: Theoretical model helps explain how cell identity is preserved when cells divide
Every cell in the human body contains the same genetic instructions, encoded in its DNA. However, out of about 30,000 genes, each cell expresses only those genes that it needs to become a nerve cell, immune cell, or any of the other hundreds of cell.....»»
Decoding the Cascade hop genome: Unraveling evolutionary secrets and divergence in the Cannabaceae family
Hop (Humulus lupulus L. var. Lupulus) is a diploid, wind-pollinated, perennial plant. Not only does the H. lupulus play an important role in brewing and flavoring, but its female inflorescences contain lupulin glands (glandular trichomes) that can sy.....»»
Hidden or extinct? Genome analysis of 120-year-old torpedo ray specimen confirms species status
There are always little treasures to be found in museum collections—that's what makes them so valuable for research. With todays methods of analysis, new, detailed findings can be elicited from archives that are often centuries old......»»
Yeast with more than 50% synthetic genome is created in the lab
Researchers have combined over seven synthetic chromosomes that were made in the lab into a single yeast cell, resulting in a strain with more than 50% synthetic DNA that survives and replicates similarly to wild yeast strains......»»
Scientists assemble first semi-wild-type melon T2T genome
Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is an important vegetable crop that has an extensive history of cultivation, and has been classified into two subspecies, C. melo ssp. agrestis and C. melo ssp. melo......»»
Genome sequencing project reveals new secrets about cat evolution
Researchers at the Texas A&M School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) and an interdisciplinary team of collaborators have uncovered new information about the history of cat evolution explaining how cats—including well-known specie.....»»
Genetic analysis: Dutch bluetongue virus type is unique
The bluetongue virus is rapidly spreading in the Netherlands. With the use of new techniques, including whole genome sequencing, it has quickly become clear that the Dutch virus is a different virus variant in comparison to previous outbreaks......»»
A high-quality Bougainvillea genome helps to explore evolutionary history of a pigment biosynthetic pathway
Bougainvillea, a widely appreciated ornamental shrub, originates from South America and stands out due to its vibrant bract colors, which are believed to result from betalain accumulation. Although Bougainvillea has important ornamental and prophylac.....»»
Researchers develop novel data representation for transcription factor-binding sequences
The diverse characteristics of the human body's various cells are reflected in their gene expression patterns. The regulation of such gene expression is based on transcription factors that bind to specific sequences in the genome......»»
Genome editing vs natural mutation for variations in tomato size
For tens of thousands of years, evolution shaped tomatoes through natural mutations. Then, humans came along......»»
New "subway map" of Lyme disease pathways identifies potential new treatment targets
Scientists at Tufts University School of Medicine have developed a genome-scale metabolic model or "subway map" of key metabolic activities of the bacterium that causes Lyme disease. Using this map, they have successfully identified two compounds tha.....»»
New insights into the genetics of the common octopus: Genome at the chromosome level decoded
Octopuses are fascinating animals—and serve as important model organisms in neuroscience, cognition research and developmental biology......»»
Hunted in New Zealand, conserved in Australia: Brushtail possum genome could help with population management efforts
Researchers say mapping the genetic code of the brushtail possum will benefit those working to both conserve and control the animal......»»
Targeting a coronavirus ion channel could yield new COVID-19 drugs
The genome of the SARS-CoV-2 virus encodes 29 proteins, one of which is an ion channel called E. This channel, which transports protons and calcium ions, induces infected cells to launch an inflammatory response that damages tissues and contributes t.....»»
Scientists reveal centromere repositioning in soybean genome
Researchers from China studying soybean genome evolution have focused on the phenomenon of centromere repositioning, which involves the formation of new centromeres at different chromosomal locations without altering the underlying DNA sequences. Thi.....»»
Comprehensive pan-genome analysis of lactic acid bacteria unveils new avenues for food industry and health care
A team of international researchers has published the first comprehensive comparative pan-genome analysis of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), a family of microorganisms essential to natural ecosystems and the food industry. Published in Food Microbiology,.....»»
Evolutionary history of three-finger snake toxins decoded
Snakebites cause around 100,000 deaths worldwide every year. Researchers at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) have investigated how the toxin emerged between 50 and 120 million years ago through the modification of a gene that also occurs in m.....»»
How one NASA lander decoded secrets lying beneath the surface of Mars
Using new instruments and clever science, the Mars Insight lander left us with incredible new insight into the belly of the red planet......»»
Precise genome engineering and protein activity profiling uncover new cancer drug targets
Searching for new ways to block the growth of cancer cells is like looking for a needle in a haystack. Tumor cells rely on thousands of proteins to function, but only a few of those proteins can be precisely targeted by drugs to treat cancer safely a.....»»
Genome study reveals 30 years of Darwin"s finch evolution
An international team of researchers has released a study on contemporary evolutionary change in natural populations. Their study uses one of the largest genomic datasets ever produced for animals in their natural environment, comprising nearly 4,000.....»»