A genome is the complete set of genetic material in an organism, including all of its genes and non-coding sequences of DNA or RNA in the case of some viruses. The genome contains all the information necessary for an organism’s growth, development, functioning, and reproduction, encoded within DNA (or RNA) sequences. In eukaryotes, the genome is contained within the cell nucleus, while prokaryotes have their genome in a single, circular DNA molecule. The human genome, for example, consists of approximately 3 billion base pairs of DNA arranged in 23 pairs of chromosomes, containing around 20,000-25,000 genes. Studying the genome helps scientists understand genetic diseases, evolutionary biology, and biological functions at a molecular level. Techniques such as DNA sequencing and genetic mapping are crucial in genomics, enabling the exploration of genetic variations and their implications on health and disease.
A groundbreaking study has mapped the genome and 3D chromosomal architecture of a 52,000-year-old woolly mammoth, uncovering details of its genetic activity and offering new…
New research has identified crucial genes in broccoli that enhance its cancer-fighting compounds, promising healthier Brassica crop varieties A comprehensive genomic analysis of broccoli has…
Scientists have used genome reconstruction to identify a previously “invisible” fish parasite, found globally in numerous marine fish species. This parasite, part of the apicomplexans—a…
By capturing short-lived RNA molecules, scientists can map relationships between genes and the regulatory elements that control them. MIT researchers have innovated a method to…
Research traces the genealogy of Arabica coffee, the most popular coffee species globally, across the Earth’s warming and cooling cycles over the past thousand years….
New end-to-end X and Y chromosome sequences uncover enormous variation on the Y chromosome, informing human evolution and disease as well as conservation genetics of…
Study reveals molecular distinctions and similarities in PTSD and depression, highlighting potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers. A comprehensive examination of multiple biological processes is essential…
MOBEs, new genome editing tools from UC San Diego, allow precise, simultaneous genetic modifications, enhancing disease modeling and therapeutic development. The human genome consists of…
The Tmesipteris oblanceolata fern sets a new record for the largest genome, impacting plant growth and adaptation insights. A New Caledonian fern species was awarded…
Complete X and Y chromosome sequences from six different primate species have been successfully mapped, revealing a rich diversity among these species and providing deeper…
Researchers at the University of Basel and the University of Zurich have been able to prove that British squirrels carried leprosy bacteria as early as…
Over 100 new genomic regions linked to blood pressure were discovered, offering insights into iron metabolism and potential new drug targets for treating hypertension. NIH-led…
Princeton scientists make a major improvement to a CRISPR-based gene-editing tool called “prime editing.” Through years of engineering gene-editing systems, researchers have developed a suite…
Research reveals medieval English red squirrels hosted leprosy-causing bacteria, impacting our understanding of disease history and its transmission between humans and animals. Evidence from archaeological…
Researchers at USC have advanced kidney research by developing a new method to cultivate nephron progenitor cells from human stem cells. This method simplifies the…
A new Queen Mary-led study reveals the most detailed picture yet of genetic contributors to blood pressure. The findings lead to improved polygenic risk scores,…
A global team of researchers has constructed the most comprehensive and extensive bird family tree to date, detailing the evolutionary connections among 363 bird species…
An enormous meteor spelled doom for most dinosaurs 65 million years ago. But not all. In the aftermath of the extinction event, birds — technically…