genetics & genomics, human evolution

DNA from the 40,000-year-old bones of a modern human found in Europe contains Neanderthal genes.

Piecing together scraps of DNA from a 400,000-year-old hominin femur

Sequence analysis of Egyptian, Ethiopian, and non-African peoples indicates a likely route taken by modern humans migrating out of Africa.

Mammalian Y chromosome genes with important functions are transferred to autosomal chromosomes more often than previously thought, a study shows.

Scientists find a common genetic variant in mothers that decreases the chance of successful pregnancy.

A point mutation analysis of the entire human genome finds that alterations to as many as 7.5 percent of nucleotides may have contributed to humans’ evolutionary split from chimpanzees.

The oldest human genome to have been sequenced came from a leg bone preserved in Siberia.

Early Neanderthal evolution; developing antivirals to combat polio; the mouth and skin microbiomes; insect-inspired, flight-stabilizing sensors

A genomic survey of Mexicans reveals a wealth of diversity in North America’s southernmost land.

Antidepressant could prevent Alzheimer’s plaques; 12,000-year-old human skeleton sequenced; disentangling the mystery of octopus arms; taking a look at the ocular microbiome

Analysis of approximately 12,000-year-old human remains supports the idea that modern Native Americans evolved from ancestors who migrated out of Asia.

Shared sequences within the brain lipid-metabolism pathway between Neanderthals and modern Europeans highlight questions about how these genetic similarities arose.

Whole-genome sequencing in the clinic; blood-based biomarkers predict future cognitive problems; how some pain meds inhibit bacterial growth; ResearchGate launches Open Review

Large-scale sequencing effort confirms several mutations that confer lactase persistence in Africans, while haplotype analysis sheds light on the trait’s origins.

Two studies demonstrate the extent of Neanderthal DNA that persists in modern human genomes.

A newly sequenced Neanderthal genome provides insight into the sex lives of human ancestors.

Oldest hominin DNA sequence; visualizing dyslexia; testing CRISPR; cancer and autoimmunity

Hot topics from the AACR meeting; the ongoing debate about pesticides’ effects on bees; a treasure trove of baby dinos; conservation on social media

A genetic analysis of Siberians finds three genes that have evolved to help the populations weather the frigid winters.

Assistant Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University. Age: 30