Kateryna Makova

May 16, 2025

Beyond the Double Helix: Strange New DNA Structures Discovered in Ape Genomes

Researchers utilized recently published telomere-to-telomere genomes of humans, chimpanzees, bonobos, gorillas, and two orangutans to predict where DNA sequences might form alternative structures beyond the traditional double helix.

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Apr 24, 2025

Beyond the double helix: Alternative DNA conformations in ape genomes

Researchers used recently published telomere-to-telomere genomes of humans, chimpanzee, bonobo, gorilla and two orangutans to predict locations of DNA sequences that can form other structures besides the double helix.

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Apr 09, 2025

Complete genome sequences of six ape species unveiled

Differences among the DNA of seven ape species — including humans — are greater than originally thought, according to an international team led by researchers at Penn State, the National Human Genome Research Institute, and the University of Washington.

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Apr 09, 2025

Complete genome sequences of six ape species unveiled

Previously inaccessible regions reveal novel insights that may advance understanding of evolution and conservation genetics for endangered apes as well as human health.

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Oct 04, 2024

12 Penn State faculty receive U.S. Fulbright Scholar Awards for 2024-25 year

Twelve Penn State faculty members received Fulbright Scholar Awards for the 2024-25 academic year, according to the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program. An additional four faculty members have been named Fulbright Specialist Award recipients.

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May 29, 2024

Complete X and Y chromosome sequences of living great ape species determined

Newly generated, complete “end-to-end” reference genomes for the sex chromosomes of five great ape species and one lesser ape species — produced by an international collaborative team led by researchers at Penn State, the National Human Genome Research Institute and the University of Washington — highlight extremely rapid changes on the male-specific Y chromosome among ape species.

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Sep 02, 2023

Unraveling the Mysteries Of The Y Chromosome

Kateryna Makova talks about Y chromosome and her findings recently reported in the journal Nature

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Aug 23, 2023

DNA sequence of the human Y chromosome fully determined for first time

The first full sequence of the last human chromosome — the Y chromosome — to be assembled is complete, thanks to an international collaboration that includes Penn State researchers. The new sequence, which fills in gaps across more than 50% of the Y chromosome’s length, uncovers genomic features with implications for fertility, as well as cancer risk and severity.

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Aug 23, 2023

DNA sequence of the human Y chromosome fully determined for first time

Published in Nature, the international efforts revealed the first full sequencing of the human sex chromosome.

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Apr 17, 2023

Structured Nucleic Acids Day, Robert Simpson and Sons Lecture set for April 18

A half-day symposium on structured (noncanonical) nucleic acids will be held on Tuesday, April 18, in Foster Auditorium, Paterno Library, Penn State University Park.

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Sep 28, 2022

Makova awarded Masatoshi Nei Innovation Prize in Biology

Kateryna Makova, Verne M. Willaman Chair in the Life Sciences and professor of biology at Penn State, has been awarded the Masatoshi Nei Innovation Prize in Biology. The award was established through a generous gift from Masatoshi Nei, emeritus professor of biology at Penn State and Laura Carnell Professor of Biology at Temple University, and his wife Nobuko Nei.

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Apr 19, 2022

Help for Ukraine scholars: Higher education rallies to provide jobs, support

Institutions post opportunities for scientific researchers and students who have been displaced by the war with Russia.

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Apr 04, 2022

Are egg cells in aging primates protected from mutations?

New mutations occur at increasing rates in the mitochondrial genomes of developing egg cells in aging rhesus monkeys, but the increases appear to plateau at a certain age and are not as large as those seen in non-reproductive cells, like muscle and liver.

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Apr 04, 2022

Are egg cells in aging primates protected from mutations?

A new study shows that mutation frequencies in mitochondrial DNA are lower, and increase less with age, in the precursors of egg cells than in the cells of other tissues in a primate.

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Feb 04, 2021

Unusual DNA folding increases the rates of mutations

DNA sequences that can fold into shapes other than the classic double helix tend to have higher mutation rates than other regions in the human genome. New research by a team of Penn State scientists shows that the elevated mutation rate in these sequences plays a major role in determining regional variation in mutation rates across the genome.

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Oct 09, 2020

Makova selected as holder of the Verne M. Willaman Chair in the Life Sciences

Kateryna Makova, Pentz Professor of Biology at Penn State, has been appointed as holder of the Verne M. Willaman Chair in the Life Sciences. The appointment, effective on Sept. 1, was made by the Office of the President of the University, based on the recommendation of the dean, in recognition of Makova’s national and international reputation for excellence in research and teaching.

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Oct 06, 2020

Evolution of the Y chromosome in great apes deciphered

New analysis of the DNA sequence of the male-specific Y chromosomes from all living species of the great ape family helps to clarify our understanding of how this enigmatic chromosome evolved.

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Sep 29, 2020

Scientists take a step toward understanding 'jumping genes' effect on the genome

Using state-of-the-art statistical methods, a team of researchers said they may have taken a leap closer to understanding a class of jumping genes, sequences that move to different locations in the human genome, which is the body’s complete set of DNA.

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Nov 18, 2019

Tracking inheritance of human mitochondrial DNA

New insight into how genetic information stored in human mitochondria is passed from one generation to the next could have important implications for genetic counseling of people planning pregnancies, according to a study by researchers at Penn State and the University of California, Berkeley.

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Jan 14, 2019

Mixed Ancestry Might Affect Our Mitochondria

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Oct 09, 2018

Could the bacteria in a child’s mouth predict obesity?

There may soon be a simple way to identify children at risk for developing obesity later in life. Researchers from Penn State University analyzed the bacteria in the mouths of 226 2-year-olds and found that a child's oral microbiota can be used as a tool to predict weight gain during the first two years of their life.

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Sep 21, 2018

Mouth bacteria in toddlers may predict obesity, study says

Bacteria in a toddler's mouth might help predict later obesity, new research suggests. Scientists at Penn State University found the composition of microorganisms in the mouths of 2-year-olds offers clues to the child's future weight.

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Sep 19, 2018

Child Weight Gain Trajectories Linked To Oral Microbiota Composition

Gut and oral microbiota perturbations have been observed in obese adults and adolescents; less is known about their influence on weight gain in young children.

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Sep 19, 2018

Your Child's Mouth Could Reveal Their Obesity Risk

Scientists believe the bacteria that live in a toddler’s mouth could provide clues as to whether they will become obese. Existing research suggests the microbes inhabiting the guts and mouths of obese adults differ to those without the condition, but less is known about this pattern in children. So biologists at Pennsylvania State University set out to investigate what a child’s microbiota could say about their weight.

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