5-Nov-2025
'Jumping genes’ help scientists resolve tree of life
Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate UniversityPeer-Reviewed Publication
Published in Current Biology, a new method from scientists at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) harnesses ‘jumping genes’ to recreate the termite tree of life, showcasing a new way for researchers to solve ancient evolutionary mysteries. "Challenges arise when trying to predict evolution across deep history," says author Professor Thomas Bourguignon. "Phylogenetic signals are often weak, and radiation events, where species rapidly diversify over a short period, add complexity, making it difficult to identify the order that individual species emerged. Our new method supports researchers to tackle these tricky scenarios”.
- Journal
- Current Biology
- Funder
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Czech Science Foundation