genome

Scientists say artificial intelligence could help bring the woolly mammoth back from extinction, according to a report. AI is being used to analyze the mammoth genome and accelerate efforts to edit elephant DNA so the Ice Age giant's traits could be recreated. The idea of de-extincting the mammoth has drawn both excitement and skepticism about whether such a creature can truly be brought back.

The German farmers' association Bauernstimme has filed a direct action at the European Court against the EU's new genetic engineering regulation (NGT), which loosens rules for certain gene-edited crops. The group argues the law undermines labelling and traceability requirements for agriculture. The case adds to growing resistance from farming and environmental organisations to the EU's deregulation of new genomic techniques.

A study published in Nature reports lipid nanoparticles engineered to carry large RNA payloads and target specific tissues, delivering stronger genome editing results in living organisms. The work addresses a key bottleneck in delivering bulky gene-editing RNA payloads safely to target organs. Researchers say the approach could broaden therapeutic applications of in vivo gene editing, though clinical translation remains ahead.

Researchers analysed the genomes of 163 ant species spanning most existing subfamilies and reconstructed their evolutionary history over the past 100 million years. The study found periods of rapid species diversification that coincide with heightened activity of transposable elements, DNA sequences that can move within the genome. The findings suggest these mobile genetic elements played a role in driving the extraordinary diversity of ants.

Truecaller has launched a new tool called Scam Checker, designed to help users detect fraud attempts. The feature lets users check links, phone numbers and suspicious messages for signs of scams such as phishing. The tool is being discussed in connection with both iOS and Android versions of the app.

Researchers report the discovery of a human 'jumping gene' — a transposable element able to move around the genome — found embedded inside a virus. The finding suggests genetic material can move between humans and viruses, shedding light on how genomes evolve and how viruses may acquire host genes. Scientists say it could inform understanding of gene transfer and viral evolution.

A major genome study claims to reveal the evolutionary origins of bats, dating their emergence to roughly 65 million years ago. By analyzing genomic data, researchers say the work clarifies how bats diverged from other mammals and developed traits such as flight and echolocation, offering new insight into one of the most distinctive orders in the animal kingdom.

A newly announced AI tool can combine different types of biological data into a single integrated analysis, according to a report by Labroots. The tool is aimed at helping researchers draw connections across datasets such as genomics and other biological measurements. Details about its developers, capabilities, and real-world applications remain limited in early coverage.

New research reported in Nature shows that the p53 protein, best known as a tumour suppressor, maintains a balance between transcription and DNA replication in cells. When this balance is disrupted, chromosomes can shatter in a catastrophic event known as chromothripsis, a recognised driver of cancer. The findings clarify how p53 guards genome integrity beyond its established roles in halting damaged cells.

Commentary argues that CRISPR genome-edited plants must move beyond laboratory success into a broader sustainable innovation system covering regulation, farming practice and commercialisation. The piece stresses that editing crops is only one step; lasting impact depends on infrastructure, policy and responsible deployment in agriculture.

Researchers publishing in Nature have used spatially resolved multiomics to map how the human meninges, the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, develop. The work traces cell lineages during development and links them to disease dynamics, offering a reference for understanding neurological disorders tied to meningeal biology. It is being discussed among researchers following developmental biology and single-cell genomics.

A Nature publication describes a rational framework for choosing between SpCas9 and variant-derived adenine base editors when editing the human genome. The work aims to help researchers match editor choice to specific target sites and desired edits, improving precision in gene-editing applications. The paper is being circulated among readers following advances in CRISPR-based genome editing tools.

North Carolina State University has appointed Massimo Iorizzo as director of its Plants for Human Health Institute, which researches how plant-derived compounds can benefit human health. The appointment was announced through the university's official channels. Iorizzo, known for his work on plant genomics, will lead the institute's research agenda going forward.

A new finding reports that overlapping genes—genes whose sequences physically overlap on the genome—are subject to different evolutionary pressures depending on the organism. In bacteria, overlapping genes appear to evolve under one set of constraints, while in eukaryotes, or complex life, they follow another. The results suggest that genome architecture shapes how evolution acts on shared genetic material, challenging the assumption that overlapping genes obey universal rules across all living things.

The Human RNome Project Consortium, an international research collaboration, is working to publish the first-ever complete sequence of RNA across the human body. Building on the legacy of the Human Genome Project, the effort would map the full range of RNA molecules, which play key roles in how genes are expressed. The announcement is drawing attention from the scientific community as a potential milestone in genomics and biomedical research.

Researchers reporting through the American Association for Cancer Research say genomic studies are uncovering new layers of the biology behind leukemia in children. The work points to finer genetic characterisation of pediatric cancers, which could shape how young patients are diagnosed, risk-stratified and treated. Details of the findings, study size and clinical implications have not been made clear in the available information.

BioTechniques takes a closer look at MFASS, a framework that runs three different splice-variant ranking methods and examines how their top-100 outputs compare. The piece explores what each ranker prioritises and how their results differ when predicting which splice variants matter most. It is part of the outlet's 'Peek behind the paper' series, in which researchers explain the reasoning and decisions behind recently published work.

10x Genomics has started shipping its Atera spatial biology platform, marking a commercial rollout of the new instrument. The system is designed to let researchers map gene activity within intact tissue, an area of growing interest in drug development and disease research. The company says deliveries to customers are now underway, though details on launch customers and pricing have not been given.

University of Chicago Medicine has recruited a genomics leader from the National Institutes of Health to fill its newly created chief data officer role. The move signals the academic health system's push to build up data-driven capabilities in precision medicine, research analytics and clinical informatics. Details of the appointee's start date and broader digital strategy have not been announced.

A landmark genome study has traced the evolutionary origins of bats back roughly 65 million years, shedding light on how the only mammals capable of true flight emerged. The research, associated with UNC Charlotte, uses genomic data to clarify bats' place on the mammalian family tree and may inform future work on their unique traits, including echolocation and disease resistance.

10x Genomics has introduced Sentira, a new cloud platform for analyzing biological data. The platform is aimed at helping researchers process and interpret large-scale genomic datasets in the cloud. Details on features and pricing have not yet been widely reported, and industry reaction is still limited.

A report under the headline 'The Genome's Hidden Layer' points to newly discussed aspects of the genome beyond its basic sequence, a topic of growing interest in biology. The coverage suggests that regulatory or structural elements of DNA may play a larger role in how genes function than previously appreciated. Specific findings and researchers involved have not been detailed, so the exact discovery behind the attention remains unspecified.