genome Archives

In search of beauty

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An intriguing theory to explain the emergence of eukaryotes – a group that includes all beings more complex than a bacterium.

The emergence of eukaryotes (any organism with cells that have a clearly defined nucleus) probably corresponded to the most extraordinary event in the entire history of life, as at least two radically disparate creatures merged, giving rise to a chimera much more complex than any previously living being. For billions of years, two groups of similar creatures, bacteria and archaea, […]

Grasping the grains of gluten

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Gluten is a type of protein present in certain cereal grains. The composition of gluten gives wheat dough its elasticity and viscous properties. Increasing intolerance to gluten in human diets has led to a surge in gluten-free food consumption. Here, we understand the important, unique characteristics of gluten, and its major sources. The term gluten is now commonplace in everyday […]

World Cancer Day 2022: Innovations in cancer research

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Despite cancer being a leading cause of death worldwide, detecting cancers early enough to treat them remains a significant challenge. World Cancer Day, held annually on February 4, presents an opportunity to celebrate the advances that have been made, and to reflect on the work still to be done. This blog post brings together five Research Outreach articles that outline […]

Rethinking the Tree of Life with new tools

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Dr Sung-Hou Kim has applied a new way of thinking to an old model, the Tree of Life, which dates back to Darwin.

Professor Sung-Hou Kim and his colleagues from the University of California, Berkeley, have applied a new way of thinking to the Tree of Life, a concept that has been around since Darwin’s time. Drawing from their collective expertise, they applied an Information Theory-based non-alignment method to compare whole-proteome sequences, the protein sequences coded by all genes of each organism. Their […]

New hope for accurate prognosis of prostate and blood cancers using 3D telomeric imaging and Lamin A/C

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Genetic mutations are known to be a factor in the development of cancer.

Professor Sabine Mai of the University of Manitoba, Canada, has been examining the links between genomic instability and cancer using 3D imaging of the genome. She has also collaborated on cutting-edge research, utilising a potential biomarker called Lamin A/C for determining the aggressiveness of Hodgkin’s lymphoma and the severity of Multiple Myeloma. This research is a first step toward circumventing […]

A new generation of induced pluripotent stem cells for regenerative medicine

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Dr Schrepfer and Dr Deuse conducting their stem cell research

Embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells are unlimited sources for the generation of cell derivatives for the regeneration of failing organs. However, such cell transplants are subject to immune rejection by the recipient’s immune system. Drs Sonja Schrepfer and Tobias Deuse from the University of California, San Francisco, have developed a new generation of immune-edited induced pluripotent stem […]

Tracking how SARS-CoV-2 mutates around the world during COVID-19 pandemic

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The COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing global health crisis caused by the SARS-CoV-2 strain of coronavirus. The SARS-CoV-2 virus mutates as it spreads, and monitoring these mutations and their distribution could provide information relevant for the treatment and control of the disease. Santiago Justo Arévalo (Ricardo Palma University, Peru) and his colleagues have analysed the progress of several mutations across […]