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Illustration of a DNA virus sneaking genetic material into a host’s nucleus
Infographic: Possible Mechanisms of Gene Transfer in Eukaryotes
Genetic studies have made it clear that eukaryotic horizontal gene transfer can and does happen. Exactly how, though, remains speculative.
Infographic: Possible Mechanisms of Gene Transfer in Eukaryotes
Infographic: Possible Mechanisms of Gene Transfer in Eukaryotes

Genetic studies have made it clear that eukaryotic horizontal gene transfer can and does happen. Exactly how, though, remains speculative.

Genetic studies have made it clear that eukaryotic horizontal gene transfer can and does happen. Exactly how, though, remains speculative.

phylogenetics, genetics & genomics

Cow image
Slideshow: Examples of Eukaryotic Horizontal Gene Transfer
Christie Wilcox, PhD | Jul 5, 2022 | 4 min read
Horizontally transferred genes play significant roles in eukaryotic genomes
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Horizontal Gene Transfer Happens More Often Than Anyone Thought
Christie Wilcox, PhD | Jul 5, 2022 | 10+ min read
DNA passed to and from all kinds of organisms, even across kingdoms, has helped shape the tree of life, to a large and undisputed degree in microbes and also unexpectedly in multicellular fungi, plants, and animals.
Close up photo of a wing
Unearthing the Evolutionary Origins of Insect Wings
Jef Akst | Apr 4, 2022 | 6 min read
A handful of new studies moves the needle toward a consensus on the long-disputed question of whether insect wings evolved from legs or from the body wall, but the devil is in the details.
5 images related to stories highlighted in the article, including DNA strand, insect, and dog
Our Favorite Genetics Stories of 2021
Christie Wilcox, PhD | Dec 23, 2021 | 4 min read
Studies The Scientist covered this year illustrate the expanding importance of genetic and genomic research in all aspects of life science, from ecology to medicine.
An illustration of an orange bacteriophage virus sitting on top of a green bacterium
Some Viruses Use an Alternative Genetic Alphabet
Abby Olena, PhD | Apr 29, 2021 | 4 min read
In a trio of studies, researchers follow up on a 40-year-old finding that certain bacteriophages replace adenine with so-called diaminopurine, perhaps to avoid host degradation.
seattle coronavirus outbreak pandemic covid-19 sars-cov-2 genome wa1 washington transmission wuhan china
First US Outbreak of COVID-19 Seeded in Mid-February: Preprint
Kerry Grens | May 27, 2020 | 2 min read
A modeling study counters initial interpretations that the cluster began with someone who flew to Seattle in mid-January.
Genomes Sequenced for Every US and Canada Butterfly
Emily Makowski | Nov 20, 2019 | 2 min read
Researchers analyzed more than 800 species.
Image of the Day: Single-Cell Surprises
Jef Akst | Nov 15, 2018 | 1 min read
Researchers identify a new species of Hemimastigophora protist, and suggest the group should be promoted from a phylum to a supra-kingdom.

Ancient Origins of Retroviruses
Tracy Vence | Jan 11, 2017 | 1 min read
Foamy-like endogenous retroviruses may have emerged more than 450 million years ago, according to an analysis.
The Pangenome: Are Single Reference Genomes Dead?
Catherine Offord | Dec 1, 2016 | 10+ min read
Researchers are abandoning the concept of a list of genes sequenced from a single individual, instead aiming for a way to describe all the genetic variation within a species.
New Species Galore
Jef Akst | Dec 26, 2014 | 3 min read
A look back at the latest microbes, plants, and animals to have secured a spot in science’s known tree of life in 2014
Bird Genomes Abound
Ruth Williams | Dec 11, 2014 | 3 min read
Scientists complete the largest-ever comparative genomic study of birds.
The Flight Size
Tracy Vence | Feb 5, 2014 | 1 min read
The metabolic intensity of powered flight seems to have caused some bird genomes to shrink.
Week in Review: January 13–17
Tracy Vence | Jan 17, 2014 | 3 min read
Debating the origins of placental mammals; H. pylori-human coevolution; ant, bee, and wasp queens emit similar pheromones; profiling protein expression in single cancer cells
DNA Jumps Between Vertebrates
Dan Cossins | Jan 3, 2013 | 1 min read
Scientists show that horizontal transfer of a particular DNA sequence among a diverse range of vertebrates is more widespread than previously believed.
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