Evolutionary Biology

Researchers uncover the surprisingly complex evolutionary history of the salivary protein amylase.

Synthetic biologists modify naturally occurring amino acid sequences to engineer proteins and enzymes for specific applications.

What scientists thought was an endosymbiont in algae turned out to be an organelle.

Researchers explore algal biology for new strategies to help humans live more sustainably.

A long-term study finds that moon cycles and menstrual cycles align at certain times of women’s lives, shedding new light on the full moon and menstrual cycle relationship.

After sequencing centromeres in humans and other primates, researchers found that they vary greatly across species and potentially contribute to aging and disease.

Calculating the polygenic risk scores of ancient humans such as Ötzi the iceman helps researchers understand the genetic predisposition to cardiovascular disease.

Genetic engineering pioneer Kevin Esvelt’s work highlights biotechnology’s immense potential for good—but also for catastrophe.

Some species of lizards, grasshoppers, and crustaceans have adopted a ladies-only lifestyle.

Scientists transferred light-harvesting proteins into yeast for the first time, shining a light on the past lives of eukaryotic cells.

Comparing mammoth and elephant genomes revealed genetic mutations that may have helped mammoths survive in the Arctic.

In the absence of a precise definition of brain, pinning down its origins is difficult. But scientists have a theory.

For two decades, scientists struggled to fully sequence the Y chromosome. Finally, researchers have mapped its full length thanks to recent advances in sequencing technology.

Humans are often referred to as “hairless apes.” But how did this trait evolve given that fur provides significant advantages to many mammals?

New techniques to quantify what lived in and on preserved animals throw light on how parasite abundance has changed over time.

Unlike other fast-growing cells, regenerating tadpole cells fuel growth using the pentose phosphate pathway rather than glycolysis, a study indicates.

An engineered methylation pattern persisted for four generations of mice, demonstrating transgenerational epigenetic inheritance can occur in mammals.

By analyzing the genomes of 23 remarkably long-lived fish species, a study found two metabolic pathways associated with longevity.

A study sheds light on the tiny genes that have evolved in human genomes since we split from our mammalian ancestors.