Tracing a cancer’s family tree to its roots reveals how tumors grow

Family trees of lung cancer cells reveal how cancer evolves from its earliest stages to an aggressive form capable of spreading throughout the body.

Greta Friar | Whitehead Institute • mit
May 5, 2022 ~9 min

Largest study of whole genome sequencing data reveals new clues to causes of cancer

DNA analysis of thousands of tumours from NHS patients has found a ‘treasure trove’ of clues about the causes of cancer, with genetic mutations providing a

Cambridge University News • cambridge
April 21, 2022 ~4 min


How a South African community's request for its genetic data raises questions about ethical and equitable research

The South African Khoe-San communities are no strangers to exploitative research. One research team is trying to provide genetic ancestry results to community members. But they still face many challenges.

Brenna Henn, Associate Professor of Anthropology, University of California, Davis • conversation
April 19, 2022 ~13 min

Structures considered key to gene expression are surprisingly fleeting

Study finds genome loops don’t last long in cells; theories of how loops control gene expression may need to be revised.

Anne Trafton | MIT News Office • mit
April 14, 2022 ~7 min

The Human Genome Project pieced together only 92% of the DNA – now scientists have finally filled in the remaining 8%

Advances in technology have enabled researchers to sequence the large regions of repetitive DNA that eluded the Human Genome Project.

Gabrielle Hartley, PhD Candidate in Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Connecticut • conversation
March 31, 2022 ~10 min

Junk DNA may rein in memories tied to fear

Junk DNA could be the key to extinguishing fear-related memories for people struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and phobia.

U. Queensland • futurity
March 23, 2022 ~4 min

An “oracle” for predicting the evolution of gene regulation

Researchers create a mathematical framework to examine the genome and detect signatures of natural selection, deciphering the evolutionary past and future of non-coding DNA.

Raleigh McElvery | Department of Biology • mit
March 11, 2022 ~9 min

DNA from ancient African foragers indicates cultural change

An unprecedented dataset of ancient African DNA let researchers outline major demographic shifts that took place between about 80,000 and 20,000 years ago.

Amy McCaig-Rice University • futurity
Feb. 28, 2022 ~7 min


We're analysing DNA from ancient and modern humans to create a 'family tree of everyone'

How we’re linking together genetic material from thousands of people - modern and ancient - to trace our ancestors and the history of our evolution.

Anthony Wilder Wohns, Postdoctoral Researcher in Statistical and Population Genetics at the Broad Institute, Harvard University • conversation
Feb. 28, 2022 ~7 min

David Reich study shows how early Africans lived, traveled, interacted

New research produces earliest DNA from Sub-Saharan Africa and a more complete look at ancient peoples.

Juan Siliezar • harvard
Feb. 23, 2022 ~7 min

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