Genome : Science World Report

Jan 07, 2014 10:31 PM EST

East Asian Genes May Solve the Skin Cancer Puzzle

Europeans fall prey to skin cancer because of their lighter skin, while Africans' dark skin protects them. But East Asians, whose skin colour resembles that of Europeans, are similar to Africans in their low susceptibility to melanoma – the deadliest skin cancer.

Dec 23, 2013 10:35 AM EST

Scientists Discover Driving Force Behind Mitochondrial 'Sex' in Ancient Flowering Plant

How do plants acquire genetic material? It turns out that at least once ancient flowering plant acquired foreign DNA from different unrelated species. Scientists have uncovered an unprecedented example of horizontal gene transfer in a South Pacific shrub that is considered to be the sole survivor of...

Dec 21, 2013 11:06 AM EST

DNA of Oldest Flowering Plant Solves Darwin's Evolution Mystery

One of Darwin's mysteries may have been solved thanks to the sequenced genome of the Amborella plant. Scientists have discovered why flowers suddenly proliferated on Earth millions of years ago. In fact, the newly sequenced genome sheds new light on a major event in the history of life on Earth.

Dec 17, 2013 04:00 PM EST

Scientists Discover Second Genetic Code Hidden in DNA

Scientists have discovered a second code hiding within DNA. This second code contains information that changes how scientists read the instructions contained in DNA and interpret mutations to make sense of health and disease.

Dec 16, 2013 04:51 PM EST

Speeding Up Gene Discovery

New gene-editing system enables large-scale studies of gene function.

Aug 09, 2013 11:38 AM EDT

Scientists Sequence Genome of Endangered Chinese Alligator

Scientists have completed the genome sequencing and analysis of a new animal: the endangered Chinese alligator. The new research could provide an explanation as to how terrestrial-style reptiles adapted to aquatic environments.

Aug 02, 2013 08:23 AM EDT

Genetic Adam and Eve Lived Together: DNA Reveals Common Ancestor

Scientists may have tracked down the origins of the biblical Adam--sort of. By studying the Y chromosomes of men from many different populations, researchers have discovered that their male most recent common ancestor (MRCA) lived sometime between 120,000 and 156,000 years ago.

Jul 22, 2013 07:22 PM EDT

Research Update: Genome Editing Becomes More Accurate

Improved technique makes it easier to add or delete genes in living cells, with less risk of off-target DNA damage.

Jun 24, 2013 08:22 PM EDT

Kinky Genes: How We Fit Three Meters of DNA Into a Cell Nucleus

When scientists first decided to sequence the human genome, it seemed an impossibly large and complicated challenge. A decade since achieving this aim, scientists are faced with a similarly overwhelming challenge: understanding the folding of a human’s entire genetic data into a tiny cell nucleus.

Jun 03, 2013 03:18 PM EDT

Now Sequenced Genome of Cacao Plant Reveals Markers For Better Taste and Higher Yield

The freshly sequenced genome of the most commonly cultivated cacao plant in the world is revealed in the open access journal Genome Biology this week. Researchers have utilised high quality DNA sequences to demonstrate the usefulness and quality of the sequence to identify genetic markers that can ...

May 23, 2013 09:19 AM EDT

Norway Spruce Genome Sequenced by Scientists: The DNA of a Christmas Tree

If you like Christmas trees, you'll be happy to know that scientists have mapped the genome of the Norway spruce--the type of tree usually decorated during the holidays.

May 13, 2013 09:23 PM EDT

Influenza Virus Genome Even More Adaptable Than Thought

The influenza virus has an amazing inherent ability to mutate, thereby changing its properties and its pathogenicity. European researchers have discovered that sequence variations in the virus genome alter virus pathogenicity by affecting the function of the virus genome itself.