Bioinformatics And Genomics News | Bioinformatics and Genomics

The human egg cell, illustrated here, contains specialized genetic instructions called mitochondrial DNA. Credit: Jezperklauzen/Getty Images. All Rights Reserved.

Sep 23, 2025

In brief: Certain age-related DNA mutations are less common in human eggs

A new Penn State-led study suggests that human eggs may have a built-in defense against age-related DNA mutations, a finding that could help researchers better understand reproductive aging and health.

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If beekeepers use organic management practices over time, they even can produce 50% more honey than when following conventional management practices, according to the researchers. Credit: Simon Kadula/Unsplash. All Rights Reserved.

Sep 19, 2025

Organic beekeeping can be even more profitable than conventional methods

Organic beekeeping can support healthy and productive honey bee colonies, and a new study led by researchers in Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences found that adopting organic honey bee colony management is not only profitable, but in some cases, it can be even more profitable than conventional management.

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The Huck Institute of the Life Sciences at Penn State University Park. Credit: Patrick Mansell / Penn State. Creative Commons

Sep 16, 2025

Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences names 2025-26 seed grant recipients

The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences at Penn State has selected eight research teams that span 12 departments across six colleges to receive 2025-26 seed grant funding.

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When the sidechain bases guanine (G) and uracil (U) are paired in the 3D structure of a molecule of ribonucleic acid (RNA) the unusual pairing creates an unusual molecular conformation called a “wobble," pictured on the left. New research shows that non-covalent modifications to the bases can further alter the conformation creating a “shifted wobble," shown on the right. This conformational diversity could help explain RNAs function versatility, according to the researchers. Credit: Md Sharear Saon/Bevilacqua Lab / Penn State. Creative Commons

Sep 09, 2025

Unusual molecular conformation could help explain RNA’s versatility

Researchers at Penn State developed methods to identify and characterize modifications to ribonucleic acid, or RNA, structure that could alter the molecule’s function and serve as unique drug targets.

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A watercolor artist’s interpretation of the relationship between the human genome and gut mycobiome. A new genome-wide study by researchers at Penn State uncovered evidence of the first three-way relationships between human genetic variation, variation in the fungal component of the human microbiome — known as the mycobiome — and risk of developing chronic disease. Credit: Amy Bean/Creative Commons. All Rights Reserved.

Sep 03, 2025

Connection among gut fungi, genetics and disease risk in humans identified

Novel genome-wide association study sheds light on the human genetic determinants of the fungal component of the human microbiome and their relation to chronic disease.

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Andrew Patterson, John T. and Paige S. Smith Professor, professor of molecular toxicology and of biochemistry and molecular biology, and Huck Chair in Molecular Toxicology at Penn State, has been named associate director for shared and core facilities at the Huck Institutes. Credit: Mike Houtz / Penn State. Creative Commons

Sep 02, 2025

Andrew Patterson named Huck associate director for shared and core facilities

Patterson, Huck Chair in Molecular Toxicology, champions discovery through collaboration at Huck’s core facilities.

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New research by Penn State scientists shows that migration of farming groups was the dominant factor in the spread of agriculture, while cultural adoption by hunter-gatherers only played a minimal role. Pictured are the remains of a house in the Neolithic village of Barnhouse Settlement, Orkney, Scotland. Credit: Creative Commons. All Rights Reserved.

Aug 28, 2025

Ancient DNA reveals farming spread through migration, locals slow to adopt it

Using mathematical models, computer simulations, and ancient DNA analysis, an interdisciplinary team of scientists at Penn State was able to measure how migration and cultural adoption each contributed to the expansion of farming.

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The team's research, conducted on mouse-ear cress — scientific name Arabidopsis thaliana, pictured — and fava beans, or Vicia faba, revealed that sugars, along with maleic acid, a chemical involved in energy production, act as crucial messengers that control how and when plants “breathe” and “eat." Credit: Sarah Assmann / Penn State. Creative Commons

Aug 25, 2025

Messenger signals that cue plants to ‘eat’ and ‘breathe’ revealed for first time

A new study by an international team of scientists led by Penn State researchers reveals for the first time the molecular messengers that control how and when plants “breathe” and “eat,” which could have implications for agriculture.

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David Kennedy, associate professor of biology at Penn State, and Clara Shaw, now assistant professor of biology at the University of Minnesota Duluth Credit: Keith Hickey / Penn State / Penn State. Creative Commons

Aug 22, 2025

What traits matter when predicting disease emergence in new populations?

Traits of early virus spread help determine if a virus will ultimately persist in a new population, according to new research.

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Study lead author Sophia Kenney, postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Animal Science, samples a maternity pen for Salmonella Dublin. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons

Aug 25, 2025

Bacteria strains infecting cattle and humans in US are highly similar

Researchers report dangerous, often antibiotic-resistant pathogen called Salmonella Dublin is circulating among animals, humans and food-associated environments.

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