All articles tagged with #genome
Scientists estimate Greenland sharks can live around 400–500 years and have found that eye tissue remains capable of vision in old age due to heightened DNA repair activity. Genome analysis reveals expanded DNA repair genes and a unique p53 insertion, and their hearts tolerate age-related damage. Researchers caution that this does not imply immediate human health applications or any antiaging use for shark products.
Scientists have extracted DNA from the vampire squid, revealing that its genome is the largest among cephalopods and providing new insights into the evolutionary history of squids and octopuses, indicating that their common ancestor was more squid-like than octopus-like 300 million years ago.
Scientists have decoded the complex genome of the sweetpotato, revealing its intricate hybrid origin and providing new tools for crop improvement, which is crucial for food security in the face of climate change and pests.
A study suggests that mutations driving evolution are influenced by the genome and occur more frequently where beneficial, challenging the traditional view that mutations are purely random, and proposing a new theory of evolution driven by internal genomic forces alongside natural selection.
The pygmy sea horse, a tiny fish living among corals in the Pacific, has evolved a unique appearance that mimics its coral environment, including a coral-like face and knobs, which helps it hide from predators and gain immunity to coral venom, illustrating nature's creativity in adaptation.
AI tools like Evo, regLM, and AlphaGenome are advancing the decoding of the genome's regulatory regions, especially the non-coding 'dark matter' DNA, by predicting functions, interactions, and impacts of genetic variants, thus deepening our understanding of gene regulation and expression.
Scientists have discovered Sukunaarchaeum mirabile, a microbe with a minimal genome and characteristics that blur the line between cellular life and viruses, challenging traditional definitions of life and suggesting a new branch in the tree of life, with significant implications for understanding microbial evolution.
Scientists have discovered Sukunaarchaeum mirabile, a microbe that challenges traditional definitions of life by being cellular yet highly dependent on its host, blurring the line between viruses and living organisms, and prompting a reevaluation of what constitutes life.
Scientists at the Salk Institute have developed a new AI tool called ShortStop that identifies and predicts the biological relevance of microproteins hidden in the dark, noncoding regions of the human genome, leading to discoveries such as a microprotein associated with lung cancer, which could serve as a future therapeutic target.
A recent study reveals that ancient viral DNA embedded in our genome, particularly the MER11 family of transposable elements, plays a significant role in regulating gene expression during early human development. Researchers developed a new classification method to better understand these elements and found that the youngest subfamily, MER11_G4, has a strong ability to activate gene expression and has evolved distinct regulatory functions, contributing to primate evolution.
Scientists have discovered Sukunaarchaeum mirabile, a unique organism that blurs the line between viruses and cellular life, with a minimal genome and dependence on hosts, challenging traditional definitions of life and offering new insights into microbial evolution.
Scientists have discovered Sukunaarchaeum mirabile, a tiny organism that challenges traditional definitions of life by possessing traits of both viruses and living cells, with a minimal genome and reliance on a host for many functions, potentially reshaping our understanding of cellular evolution.
Scientists have successfully mapped the three-dimensional genome of a 52,000-year-old woolly mammoth using fossilized remains, marking the first full replication of an ancient animal's DNA from a fossil. This breakthrough, achieved through a six-year international study, opens new possibilities for exploring the biology of extinct species and could enhance modern conservation efforts by providing insights into genetic diversity and evolutionary adaptations.
Researchers have discovered that the fern Tmesipteris oblanceolata from New Caledonia has the largest genome of any known organism, containing over 50 times more DNA than humans. This finding, published in the iScience journal, surpasses the previous record held by Paris japonica and has significant implications for understanding plant biology, evolution, and adaptation in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss. The study involved an international team and highlights the complexity and diversity of plant genomes.
Scientists have discovered that the New Caledonian fork fern, Tmesipteris oblanceolata, possesses the longest genome of any known living organism, with 416 chromosomes and 168 gigabase pairs of DNA. This genome is 50 times longer than a human's and surpasses the previous record holders in both plant and animal kingdoms. The discovery raises questions about the biological limits and implications of large genomes, highlighting the complexity and diversity of plant DNA.