genetics

New York City officials have identified a victim of the September 11, 2001 attacks using a first-of-its-kind genetic genealogy technique, according to ABC News. It marks the first time this advanced DNA method has produced an identification from the 9/11 remains, more than two decades after the attacks, as the medical examiner's office continues working to name victims.

The New York Times reports that a virus — apparently the molluscum contagiosum poxvirus — acquired a human gene at some point in its evolution and has retained it ever since, raising questions about how viruses and hosts exchange genetic material. Readers on Hacker News are sharing and discussing the finding, which touches on viral evolution and the blurry boundary between viral and human genomes.

A Nature commentary argues that neutrality should serve as the null hypothesis when studying biological evolution, meaning scientists should assume neutral changes before invoking selection. The piece revisits the long-running debate between neutral theory and adaptationism, prompting discussion among evolutionary biologists about how strongly genetic drift versus natural selection shapes genomes.

The University of Missouri has announced the launch of a new Center for Translational Neurogenetics, an initiative aimed at turning genetics research into treatments for neurological conditions. The announcement was posted by the university's School of Medicine, which says the center will focus on bridging laboratory discoveries and clinical applications. Details on funding, leadership and staffing have not yet been made public.

A widely shared post highlights microchimerism, the phenomenon in which fetal cells cross the placenta during pregnancy and persist in a mother's body for years. The poster notes that even a miscarriage more than two decades ago may have left behind an embryo's genetic material, which can potentially be passed on to later children. The finding is prompting surprised and reflective reactions about how pregnancy physically reshapes the body long after it ends.

Researchers have used genome editing to uncover a genetic switch in alfalfa that controls how the plant responds to drought. The finding could help breeders develop alfalfa varieties that stay productive under water stress, with implications for livestock feed supplies in drought-prone regions. Details of the study and the specific gene mechanisms involved are still limited in the available reporting.

A widely shared science documentary claims researchers compared Jewish genetic profiles against DNA from ancient civilizations and found only one match, pointing to a single ancestral origin. The claim has drawn large attention, with viewers debating which population was identified and how genetics aligns with historical records of Jewish origins in the ancient Near East.

The FDA plans to use upcoming updates to the Federal Adverse Reactions Reporting System framework to draw attention to aging and longevity medicine. According to Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News, the agency intends to highlight how older adults respond to treatments and how longevity-focused therapies are tracked. The move signals growing regulatory interest in aging as a medical field and could shape how longevity drugs and interventions are evaluated and reported in the United States.

New research reported by The Transmitter indicates that genetic variants tied to autism converge on just two molecular patterns when studied in mouse brains. The finding suggests that despite hundreds of distinct risk genes, the biological disruptions may funnel into a small number of shared pathways, offering researchers a simpler framework for understanding autism's underlying biology and potential treatment targets.

A man has been convicted of the violent murder of an Arizona woman after investigators used familial DNA searching, a technique that matches crime scene evidence to relatives of people in DNA databases. The case highlights how forensic genealogy is increasingly being used to close cold cases and identify suspects who avoided direct database matches.

Scientific American examines whether genetically engineered microbes could make Mars more habitable. The idea is that bacteria might be used to produce gases or nutrients that warm the planet or enrich its soil, offering a biological route to terraforming. Researchers weigh whether such organisms could survive Mars's harsh radiation, cold and thin atmosphere, or whether the concept remains speculative.

Colossal Biosciences, the de-extinction company, says promptable biology — the ability to direct biological systems much like prompting software — will become practical within a decade. The claim frames its genetic engineering and species-revival work as a step toward programmable life sciences. Reaction so far is limited, with no independent assessment of the timeline available.

Harvard Medical School has announced that Susan Dymecki will serve as the next chair of its Department of Genetics. Dymecki, a developmental neurobiologist known for her work on genetic mouse models, takes over leadership of one of the school's major basic science departments. The announcement is drawing attention from researchers and academics following the institutional news.

The FDA plans to use an upcoming FARS update to emphasize aging and longevity medicine, signaling growing regulatory attention to treatments targeting age-related disease. The move was reported by Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News. Observers see it as a sign that longevity science is moving closer to mainstream regulatory priorities, with implications for drug developers and biotech firms working on aging-related therapies.

A study published in Nature examined how genetic vulnerability and physical activity interact in relation to major depressive disorder, using data from the All of Us Research Program, a large US biomedical database. The findings add to ongoing discussion about how lifestyle factors such as exercise may influence depression risk in people with genetic predisposition.

Researchers have identified specific neurons in mice that generate anxiety following exposure to cannabinoid drugs. The finding, reported by Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News, offers a biological explanation for the anxiety side effects some cannabis users experience. The work may help guide development of cannabinoid-based therapies that avoid triggering anxious responses, as debate continues over medicinal cannabis use.

Ben Lamm, head of biotech startup Colossal Biosciences, gave an interview to CNBC about the company's work on de-extinction — using genetic engineering and artificial intelligence in efforts to bring back extinct species such as the woolly mammoth. The discussion covered how AI accelerates genome analysis and the scientific and ethical questions surrounding reviving lost species.

A new discussion of epigenetics is reviving the classic nature-versus-nurture argument about whether genes or environment shape who we are. The piece argues that the epigenome, the system of chemical marks that switches genes on and off, shows the two forces are intertwined rather than opposed. Environmental factors such as stress, diet and pollution can leave heritable marks on DNA, complicating older genetic determinism. The debate continues to fascinate scientists and the public alike.

Laverock Therapeutics announced an expansion of its work into in vivo CAR-T cell therapy and broader genetic medicine, according to Cell Therapy Weekly coverage. The move signals the company's ambition to move beyond ex vivo approaches and broaden its therapeutic pipeline, drawing attention from the regenerative medicine and cell therapy community.

New reporting highlights that sex chromosomes do more than determine biological sex at birth; they continue to influence health throughout life. Researchers point to X and Y chromosome effects on disease risk, immunity and ageing, suggesting medicine should account for these genetic differences when studying and treating conditions across a patient's lifetime.

Scientists are highlighting a subtle chemical distinction between RNA and DNA that could shed light on how life first emerged on Earth. The difference may explain why RNA, not DNA, likely served as the earliest genetic material, a central idea in origin-of-life research. The finding is being picked up by science news outlets and is prompting renewed discussion about the RNA world hypothesis.

A pediatric asthma biologic drug has been found to interact with a common genetic variant in children, according to a report in Inside Precision Medicine. The finding could affect how doctors predict which young patients respond to the treatment and may prompt closer attention to genetic screening in asthma care.

Researchers have introduced an AI model designed to fill in missing data in protein mutation maps, predicting how mutations affect protein function where experimental data is lacking. The approach could speed up work in protein engineering, drug development, and the study of genetic disease. Discussion is focused on how well such predictions can replace costly lab experiments.

The National Bioengineered Food Disclosure Standard, the US rule requiring labels on foods containing bioengineered ingredients, has received an update, as reported by Oklahoma Farm Report. The standard governs how manufacturers disclose genetically modified ingredients to consumers, so changes affect farmers, food companies, and labeling practices nationwide.

Researchers at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) report that starving bacteria can hijack viruses to swap DNA in a process resembling sexual reproduction. The findings suggest bacteria under nutrient stress turn to virus-mediated genetic exchange, potentially spreading traits such as antibiotic resistance. The study is drawing attention across biology and bioengineering news outlets.

Researchers have completed the largest-ever genetic analysis of jaguars, identifying how populations across the Americas are connected to one another. The findings reveal patterns of gene flow and isolation among jaguar groups from Mexico to Argentina, offering new insight into the species' distribution and the conservation corridors needed to protect remaining populations across their vast range.

Natera, Inc., a US genetic testing company traded on Nasdaq under the ticker NTRA, is seeing heightened interest in its stock price, quotes and historical performance. Investors are following the company's latest market moves and news coverage as part of broader activity in the healthcare and diagnostics sector.

UNC Health reports progress in its gene therapy research aimed at treating Rett syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that primarily affects girls and causes severe impairments in movement, communication and daily function. The announcement highlights the health system's ongoing work to develop genetic treatments for conditions that currently have limited therapeutic options, drawing attention from families and researchers following the rare disease field.