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

Record-breaking rapid DNA sequencing promises timely diagnosis for thousands of rare disease cases

Record-breaking technology can sequence an entire human genome in a matter of hours. The work could be a lifeline for people suffering from the more than 5,000 known rare genetic diseases.

Kevin Doxzen, Postdoctoral Fellow in Precision Medicine and Emerging Biotechnologies, Arizona State University • conversation
Feb. 3, 2022 • ~8 min

Genomic surveillance: What it is and why we need more of it to track coronavirus variants and help end the COVID-19 pandemic

The US lags in testing coronavirus samples from COVID-19 patients, which can help track the spread of the virus and the emergence of new variants. But labs are ramping up this crucial surveillance.

Vaughn Cooper, EvolvingSTEM Founder and Executive Director; Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh • conversation
March 31, 2021 • ~10 min

Genomic surveillance: What it is and why we need more of it to track the coronavirus and help end the COVID-19 pandemic

The US lags in testing coronavirus samples from COVID-19 patients, which can help track the spread of the virus and the emergence of new variants. But labs are ramping up this crucial surveillance.

Vaughn Cooper, EvolvingSTEM Founder and Executive Director; Professor of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh • conversation
March 31, 2021 • ~10 min

Ancient DNA is revealing the genetic landscape of people who first settled East Asia

By studying the DNA of people who lived in East Asia thousands of years ago, scientists are starting to untangle how the region was populated.

Melinda A. Yang, Assistant Professor of Biology, University of Richmond • conversation
Sept. 15, 2020 • ~11 min

Modern tomatoes are very different from their wild ancestors – and we found missing links in their evolution

Through genetic detective work, scientists have identified missing links in the tomato’s evolution from a wild blueberry-sized fruit in South America to the larger modern tomato of today.

Ana Caicedo, Associate Professor of Biology, University of Massachusetts Amherst • conversation
Jan. 30, 2020 • ~6 min

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