During brain development, genes set the rules and turn the knobs; self-organization does much of the rest.

This week, TAIR made the freshly-updated TAIR12 genome annotation the default across all of its tools. Araport11 remains accessible...

Scientists have sequenced the unusually large genome of a trapdoor spider named after comedian Stephen Colbert, uncovering surprising features of its DNA. A spider no bigger than a quarter has a genome roughly 50% larger than the human genome. Known as Aptostichus stephencolberti, this elusive trapdoor spider lives beneath California’s coastal dunes and carries 4.6 billion DNA base pairs. Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have now sequenced its genome, uncovering features that could help explain how spider DNA has evolved. “At 4.6 gigabases, or 4.6 billion DNA base pairs, it’s not the largest genome among the spiders, but it’s significant,” said Jason Bond, a professor in the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology. The research, published in the Journal of Heredity, marks the first time scientists have sequenced the genome of a species in this spider family. Why This Small Spider Has So Much DNA The spider’s enormous genome is not packed with an unusually large number of genes. Instead, approximately 77% consists of repetitive DNA sequences, stretches of genetic material copied many times throughout the genome. Its DNA is organized into 52 chromosomes, compared with the 46 chromosomes typically found in human body cells. Another feature...

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The genome sequence of Wolbachia provides insights into the origins of mitochondria, as well as the ecology and evolution of endosymbiosis.

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Authored by J.P. Flores

A UC Davis study finds a trapdoor spider named after comedian Stephen Colbert has a genome 50% larger than a human's genome.

Genetic biocontrol approaches offer promising tools for managing invasive species. However, their success depends on species identity, demographic history and the genomic architecture of sex determin...

Abstract. As eukaryotic genomes continue to be sequenced, assembled, and annotated at decreasing cost and increasing rate, it is important that basic notif