Genome

Balto the sled dog is famous for being part of a sled team that delivered medicine from Fairbanks, Alaska, to Nome, Alaska, through harrowing blizzard conditions in 1925. Now, a team of scientists has sequenced the dog’s genome using DNA found in his taxidermied remains.Simone Giertz on Project Failures | Gizmodo Talks The researchers compared Balto’s genome to 682 genomes from modern dogs and wolves; their research is published today in the journal Science.“Balto’s fame and the fact that he was taxidermied gave us this…

In expansive new research out this week, scientists around the world have started to unravel the genetic secrets behind one of nature’s greatest success stories: mammals. They’ve catalogued and compared the genomes of more than 200 mammal species, including elephants, bats, and humans. Among other things, their findings should help us understand the origins of certain mammalian traits, as well as which species are most at risk of extinction in the future.A Mononykus Hunts In ‘Prehistoric Planet’Mammals aren’t the…

Various faba beans (dried). Credit: University of ReadingGenetic studies provide a boost to the “Beans IN Toast” project.The genome of the faba bean, which boasts a massive 13 billion bases, surpassing the human genome by fourfold, has finally been sequenced. The research was recently published in the journal Nature. This remarkable technical feat is of great importance for the goal of breeding beans with optimum nutritional content and sustainability of production.A team of researchers from Europe and Australia, headed…

On April 14 2003, scientists announced the end to one of the most remarkable achievements in history: the first (nearly) complete sequencing of a human genome. It was the culmination of a decade-plus endeavor that involved thousands of scientists across the globe. Many people hoped the accomplishment would change the world for the better.For the 20-year anniversary of this historic event, we took a look back at the Human Genome Project and its impact. How did it shape science moving forward? How many of the expected goals…

Twenty years ago, the Human Genome Project officially wrapped up. It was a feat of collaborative science that took 13 years—from 1990 to 2003—and involved researchers from around the globe.A Mononykus Hunts In ‘Prehistoric Planet’In honor of the anniversary, I spoke with Richard Gibbs, founder and director of the Baylor College of Medicine Human Genome Sequencing Center in Texas, who was one of the project’s leading figures. Gibbs shared his thoughts about the early days of studying DNA, the likely future of the genetics…

When GISAID, the widely used database for influenza and SARS-CoV-2 genomes, issued a statement last week about a set of controversial sequences from the Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market in Wuhan, China, the release explained by way of background that the repository was “an essential contributor to global health” trusted by thousands of data contributors from 215 nations and territories. But GISAID also included a claim that has been puzzling and infuriating some…

Chromosomes in cells with whole genome doubling. Credit: Elisa Oricchio/Giovanni Ciriello (EPFL/UNIL)A single cell holds 2-3 meters of <span class="glossaryLink" aria-describedby="tt" data-cmtooltip="<div class=glossaryItemTitle>DNA</div><div class=glossaryItemBody>DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a molecule composed of two long strands of nucleotides that coil around each other to form a double helix. It is the hereditary material in humans and almost all other organisms…

Nearly 200 years after Ludwig van Beethoven died, a team of researchers has managed to sequence the German composer’s genome from locks of his hair, revealing surprising details of his health and genealogical history. Chief among them: Beethoven had inherited genetic risk factors for liver diseases and was infected with hepatitis B; taken alongside the composer’s alcohol consumption, these likely contributed to his death at age 56. The team’s research is published today in Current Biology.“Our primary goal was to shed…

Autism is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder with many factors contributing to its onset. Researchers often use mouse models, such as BTBR/J, to study the disorder. Recently, an international research collaboration made significant discoveries in autism onset using BTBR/J and BTBR/R mice. They found that endogenous retrovirus activation increases a fetus’s susceptibility to autism and that BTBR/R mice display autistic-like behaviors without reduced learning ability, making them a more accurate autism model. These…

Overview of Cueva de Malalmuerzo. Credit: Pedro CantalejoA genome of a human from the Ice Age refuge located in southern Spain.A team of researchers from around the world has studied ancient human <span class="glossaryLink" aria-describedby="tt" data-cmtooltip="<div class=glossaryItemTitle>DNA</div><div class=glossaryItemBody>DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is a molecule composed of two long strands of nucleotides that coil around each other to form a double helix. It is the…