An ancient Egyptian's complete genome has been read for the first time
2 July 2025
The genome of a man who lived in Egypt over 4500 years ago offers a new window on the ancient society and hints at connections with Mesopotamia
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Premium
Neanderthal child may have had Down’s syndrome
26 June 2024
A fossil bone displaying features consistent with Down’s syndrome belonged to a Neanderthal child who survived beyond 6 years old, adding to evidence that these extinct humans cared for members of their community
The human Y chromosome has been fully sequenced for the first time
23 August 2023
The Y chromosome, which normally confers male characteristics, features large amounts of repetitive DNA, which meant it was difficult to compile a complete sequence until now
Hunter-gatherer genes gave European farmers an immunity boost
23 March 2023
An analysis of ancient genomes has revealed that the descendants of Stone Age farmers in Europe and hunter-gatherers gained more genes from the latter group than expected
12,000 genetic variants affect height in people with European ancestry
12 October 2022
Over 12,000 genetic variants play a role in height differences among people with European ancestry, though these variants have a much smaller influence in people with other ancestries
Evolution of lactose tolerance probably driven by famine and disease
27 July 2022
Archaeological and genetic evidence casts doubt on the idea that the ability to digest lactose after infancy evolved gradually
Bronze Age migration may have brought Celtic languages to Britain
22 December 2021
Analysis of ancient DNA reveals a mass migration of people from what is now France to England and Wales between 1000 and 875 BC
European wine grapes have their genetic roots in western Asia
21 December 2021
We used to think that European wine grapes were cultivated locally, independently of grape domestication in western Asia, but grape genetics suggests otherwise
Anonymised genomes cannot be linked to faces as previously claimed
17 November 2021
In theory, genomes shared anonymously could be linked to people on social media because the DNA can be used to predict facial features, but the risk is vanishingly small
We need to overhaul the language of genetics to root out racism
7 July 2021
The terminology used in genetics is often scientifically confused or rooted in a racist history. An overhaul is needed to break free from its problematic past, says Adam Rutherford
