genomics

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.

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.

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.

Scientists analysing the evolutionary history of 163 ant genomes, spanning most existing subfamilies, found that periods of rapid species diversification over the past 100 million years coincided with higher activity of transposable elements — DNA sequences capable of moving around the genome. The findings suggest these mobile genetic elements played a significant role in driving the evolutionary success and variety 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Dr Giselle Sholler is set to join world leaders in oncology at the WIN Consortium 2026 meeting, where precision medicine in cancer care will take center stage. Sholler, known for her work in pediatric cancer research and personalized treatment approaches, will contribute to discussions on how genomic profiling and targeted therapies can be advanced globally through international collaboration.

A new benchmark warns that widely used gene pathway scoring tools can silently erase disease signals from genomic data, potentially distorting research findings. The warning matters because pathway analysis underpins many studies of complex diseases, and researchers may be reporting false negatives without knowing it. Scientists are discussing which methods are affected and how to validate results before relying on these tools.

Researchers have mapped a set of tiny proteins encoded in the genome of Trichomonas vaginalis, the parasite that causes trichomoniasis, one of the most common sexually transmitted infections worldwide. The work, described as uncovering a hidden layer of the parasite's genome, could improve understanding of how the parasite functions and open new directions for diagnosing and treating the infection.

New genome research on desert vipers points to large structural changes in the genes that make venom, suggesting venom evolution may be driven as much by rearrangements of DNA as by point mutations. The findings could help explain how viper toxins diversify so quickly and may inform future antivenom work. Coverage is so far limited to specialist science outlets, with discussion centered on what these structural variants mean for venom research.

Francis Collins, the geneticist who led the Human Genome Project and later directed the US National Institutes of Health, spoke at the Weinstein-Rosenthal Forum about how his scientific work led him to religious faith. He discussed the relationship between science and belief, drawing on his own journey from being an atheist to becoming a Christian, and argued that the two are compatible rather than in conflict.

New research published in PLOS Biology examines whether introgression—the movement of genes between species—can spread beneficial alleles as climate warming intensifies. The study finds that strong heat selection promotes introgression and heat tolerance even in the presence of genomic barriers to gene flow, suggesting adaptive genes may cross species boundaries under climate stress.

A new web-based tool has been launched that converts rice genome data into instant haplotype maps and breeding markers. The tool is designed to help researchers and breeders rapidly analyze genetic variation in rice, potentially speeding up the development of improved rice varieties. Coverage so far is limited to a single report, with details on the tool's developers, availability, and reception not yet widely reported.

Researchers have used genome editing to identify a genetic switch in alfalfa that controls the plant's response to drought. The finding could help breeders develop alfalfa varieties that stay productive under water stress, with implications for livestock feed and agriculture in drought-prone regions.

Researchers report in Nature a single-molecule chromatin tracing technique that maps genome folding directly in single cells. The method reveals a surprising diversity of megabase-scale heterochromatin domains, challenging the view of heterochromatin as a uniform, repetitive compartment. Scientists following the study say the findings refine how chromatin organisation is understood and may affect research into gene regulation and genome stability.

GeneDx introduced Easy Order at the American Academy of Pediatrics 2026 conference, a new tool aimed at making genomic testing simpler for doctors to order during routine pediatric care. The company says the offering is designed to reduce administrative hurdles so genome and exome sequencing can become a standard part of everyday practice for children with suspected genetic conditions.

Peer Bork, a leading figure in computational biology known for mapping molecular interaction networks and advancing large-scale analysis of genomes and microbial communities, has died at the age of 62. The death was reported by science news outlet Bioengineer.org. Bork's work shaped how researchers study biological systems and the human microbiome, prompting tributes from across the life sciences community.