genome
Using ‘genomic breadcrumbs’ to track the coronavirus—and predict how to cope with it
Rapid sequencing of viral genomes can help public health officials figure out the origins, spread and nature of quickly moving ...
Studying the African genome could yield new medical treatments for everyone
A broader range of populations should be investigated to avoid genomic medicine being of benefit merely to a privileged few ...
DNA sequencing uncovers genes that could yield bigger, sweeter, crispier watermelon
Scientists from Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences took a comprehensive look at the genomes of 414 watermelons representing ...
For synthetic biology to reach its potential, building new chromosomes from scratch must become commonplace—and we may be getting close
Many of the needed technological breakthroughs can be achieved in the next several years ...
‘Marsupial-enabled time machine’: How a Koala virus is giving researchers insights into the human genome
A koala retrovirus, or KoRV, has been rolling through koala populations in Australia from the north to south. It’s passed among the ...
Regenerating tissues and limbs: What we can learn from the the amazing axolotl salamander’s genome
Saving the salamander that Nature called “biology’s beloved amphibian” takes on a special significance given the animal’s remarkable traits. Axolotls are neotenic, ...
Genetics pioneer James Watson stripped of final honorary titles over race views
It's the latest chapter of the dark side of Dr. Watson ...
Searching for infectious canine cancer in the shadow of Chernobyl
After the [Chernobyl] explosion, over 90,000 people were evacuated from hundreds of towns and communities in the vicinity of the ...
‘Deep learning’ sheds light on natural selection in human DNA
Each person’s genome contains three billion building blocks called nucleotides, and researchers must compile data from thousands of people to ...
Could propensity for drug addiction be linked to an ancient virus in some people’s genes?
Drug addicts are more likely to carry an ancient virus which could affect the production of dopamine than the rest ...
Finding ‘surprising and novel’ applications for consumer genomics
With more than 10 million genotyped customers, the consumer genomics industry is maturing and becoming a mainstream phenomenon. At last, ...
Viewpoint: There’s danger in overselling the benefits of routine DNA sequencing
For decades the potential of stem cells to cure all disease was promised. Today’s reality is that the few worthy ...
What can we learn from studying GWAS—Genes of large swaths of people?
In the quest to separate nature from nurture, scientists seeking to understand the contribution of genetics have more tools. A ...
Genome scientist Craig Venter accused of stealing trade secrets from company he helped create
Craig Venter is not a man to balk at breaking a few eggs to make a scientific omelette. The maverick ...
Viewpoint: GMOs may be controversial, but bio-technology is creating a greener, cleaner world
Jason Kelly, founder of the microbe engineering company Ginkgo Bioworks, wants those who work in the often-contentious field of GMOs ...
How the genetics revolution is upending our concept of disease—and how that could improve healthcare
What is a disease? This seemingly abstract and theoretical question is actually among the most practical questions in all of ...
How the vampire bat came to feed on blood, and what we can learn from its droppings
Why do the three species of vampire bats eat only blood, compared to the 1,240 other species that are perfectly ...
Cancer quest: Moonshot initiative melds genetic data with supercomputers, but keep expectations in check
It’s been two years since the Cancer Moonshot Initiative was unveiled during President Obama’s final State of the Union speech ...
Viewpoint: Public enthusiasm for genetics tempered by distrust, privacy concerns
Cheaper genome sequencing is expanding our ability to understand risks associated with genetic mutations. But not everyone embraces these advances, ...
Molecular clocks rewriting the story of human evolution
Analyzing DNA from present-day and ancient genomes provides a complementary approach for dating evolutionary events. By comparing DNA sequences, geneticists ...
Cancers and other rare diseases in crosshairs of researchers using breakthrough DNA sequencing
The improvements and discoveries in DNA sequencing in recent years has had immediate clinical consequences, including the real possibility of ...
Targeting weeds at the genetic level aids battle against herbicide resistance
Understanding how weeds evolve to become invasive and herbicide-resistant at the genetic level can help scientists design better weed controls ...
Too much knowledge? Should you sequence your baby’s genome?
Is there such a thing as having too much information about the health of your newborn? With the cost of ...
What can sequencing da Vinci’s genome teach us about genius?
A team of scientists wants to sequence Leonardo da Vinci’s genome using DNA taken from his works of art and ...
Reflections on Craig Venter’s synbio creation: Life, from scratch
A high profile team creates a bacteria by building its genome block by block, but what's the point? ...
Arm chair geneticists looking for enlightenment could provide useful data
People who sequence their genomes don’t hinder public health; they offer an opportunity for free data. We should capitalize on ...