Just a quick follow up to my post a couple weeks ago about a talk by genome pioneer Craig Venter. Venter mentioned a new study comparing the two complete individual human genomes–Venter’s own, and that of James Watson, co-discoverer of the structure of DNA. I wrote:

Humans, Venter and other researchers are finding, are more genetically variable than the earlier estimates. Our DNA does not just vary letter by letter, but by entire genes–some of us are missing some genes entirely, and others have extra copies.

Continue reading “Jim Watson’s “Asian” Genes: You Read It Here First” →

In today’s Boston Globe, Anthony Doerr praises Microcosm: E. coli and the New Science of Life as “quietly revolutionary.”

As scientists study the genes of more and more strains of E. coli, they’re finding that foreign DNA has been steadily pouring into the genome. Not only is E. coli mutating within itself, it’s also claiming new genes from elsewhere.

A major source of this input is viruses. As Zimmer notes, “Viruses are quickly losing their reputation as insignificant parasites.” Viruses, we now know, pick up genes from one host and plug them like cassette tapes into the genome of a new host.

Continue reading “The Boston Globe reviews Microcosm: “Superb”” →

I am back from a few days on Appledore Island, a severely gorgeous patch of rock and scrub ten miles off the coast of Maine. Cornell and the University of New Hampshire run a marine biology station there called Shoals Marine Lab, where students come for crash courses on all things marine, from sustainable fisheries to shark biology. Last year I came to give a talk about evolution; this year I was back to talk to students about writing about science. I pulled out some of my marine stories to discuss, on topics such as moray eels that are weirder than science fiction and the mindless intelligence of fish swarms.

Continue reading “The Strangeness of the Mainland” →

This morning: grey clouds and low tide on White Island, home to an empty lighthouse, thousands of terns, and thousands more mosquitoes. And red algae. 

Originally published August 11, 2008. Copyright 2008 Carl Zimmer.

Janet Stemwedel writes:

“Yes, she’s holding a bubbling Erlenmeyer flask; clearly this must be the international symbol for woman chemist.

Of course since I’m now a philosopher of science rather than a chemist, one might wonder why I chose to tattoo myself with the international symbol for woman chemist. I guess there’s a way that tattoos still serve as tribal markings … and since the tribe of chemists is the first professional/disciplinary tribe I joined, I feel like my heart is still there even if my faculty billet is in philosophy.”

Continue reading “Chimiste” →