Jurassic Park: why we're still struggling to realise it 30 years on

New laboratory experiments add analytical rigour to the search for ancient biomolecules

Maria McNamara, Professor, Palaeobiology, University College Cork • conversation
Nov. 16, 2023 • ~8 min

New research reveals that Ötzi the iceman was bald and probably from a farming family – what else can DNA uncover?

We can predict hair and eye colour with reasonable accuracy from DNA, but other characteristics are being investigated.

Caroline Smith, Assistant Head, School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster • conversation
Aug. 24, 2023 • ~7 min

Identifying fire victims through DNA analysis can be challenging − a geneticist explains what forensics is learning from archaeology

Maui officials have asked relatives to provide DNA samples to help identify victims of the Lahaina wildfires. Time and exposure to the elements, however, can make DNA retrieval from remains difficult.

Anne Stone, Professor of Human Evolution and Social Change, Arizona State University • conversation
Aug. 18, 2023 • ~9 min

Your genetic code has lots of 'words' for the same thing – information theory may help explain the redundancies

Many of the amino acids that make up proteins are encoded by genetic material in more than one way. An information theorist explains how principles of nature may account for this variance.

Subhash Kak, Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Oklahoma State University • conversation
July 27, 2023 • ~7 min

_E. coli_ is one of the most widely studied organisms – and that may be a problem for both science and medicine

Researchers uncovered the foundations of biology by using E. coli as a model organism. But over-reliance on this microbe can lead to knowledge blind spots with implications for antibiotic resistance.

Tobias Dörr, Associate Professor of Microbiology, Cornell University • conversation
July 5, 2023 • ~8 min

Researchers can learn a lot with your genetic information, even when you skip survey questions – yesterday's mode of informed consent doesn't quite fit today's biobank studies

Biobanks collect and store large amounts of data that researchers use to conduct a wide range of studies. Making sure participants understand what they’re getting into can help build trust in science.

Robbee Wedow, Assistant Professor of Sociology and Data Science, Purdue University • conversation
June 29, 2023 • ~7 min

Crocodile's 'virgin birth' is a first for science's history books

Virgin motherhood is no myth – sharks, birds and lizards can hatch from unfertilised eggs.

Louise Gentle, Principal Lecturer in Wildlife Conservation, Nottingham Trent University • conversation
June 8, 2023 • ~7 min

Gene therapy helps combat some forms of blindness – and ongoing clinical trials are looking to extend these treatments to other diseases

Genetics expert Jean Bennett explains how gene therapy is being used to treat certain forms of inherited blindness.

Jean Bennett, Professor Emeritus of Ophthalmology; Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Pennsylvania • conversation
May 12, 2023 • ~8 min

DNA study sheds light on Scotland's Picts, and resolves some myths about them

The genetic study challenges previous theories about the origins and culture of the Picts.

Adeline Morez, Post-doctorate researcher, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier, visiting lecturer, Liverpool John Moores University • conversation
May 2, 2023 • ~8 min

Unravelling DNA's structure: a landmark achievement whose authors were not fairly credited

An article written for Time Magazine, but never published, could have rewritten the history of how DNA was discovered.

Mark Lorch, Professor of Science Communication and Chemistry, University of Hull • conversation
April 25, 2023 • ~8 min

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