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An exciting opportunity is available for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the group of Prof. Jake Harris at the Department of Plant Sciences. The laboratory is situated on the Downing Site in Cambridge and houses state-of-the-art facilities.

The project is part of a pioneering new effort to generate fully synthetic plant chromosomes, funded by the Advanced Research + Invention Agency (ARIA, please see here for more details). To develop the critical capabilities required, the primary model organism that the candidate will be working with is the so-called 'green yeast', Physcomitrium patens, with potato as the ultimate end-goal for delivery. There are many unique advantages to Physcomitrium for plant synthetic biology, including highly efficient homology-directed repair. The project will involve a range of genomic and molecular biology approaches, from developing epigenetic insulator systems, epigenome profiling and CRISPR-based epi-engineering, to long-read sequencing, karyotyping, and live-cell imaging. The project is part of an integrated team effort involving academic and biotech laboratories across the UK and Australia.

The successful candidate is not expected to be familiar with all of the above techniques; however, experience working with Physcomitrium patens and/or other non-vascular plants is highly beneficial. Familiarity with cloning, genomics, protoplasting, and microscopy-based approaches is strongly advantageous. Evidence of successfully working in a team to achieve objectives against deadlines is highly valuable. The candidate must have strong organisational and time-management skills, a positive attitude, and good team spirit.

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be sent directly to Dr. Harris cjh92@cam.ac.uk.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please notice that if you have not received any news from us 1 month after the closing date you should consider that on this occasion your application has not been successful.

Please quote reference PD45509 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

The Tzelepis lab is recruiting two postdoctoral research associates to drive our translational work on novel RNA biology of disease (particular focus on solid tumors and neurodegeneration). Our lab focuses on the epitranscriptome-associated roles of stem cell homeostasis and disease. Our approaches include functional genetics, normal and abnormal stem cell cultures, development and characterisation of novel treatments as well as various mouse models of disease.

The postholders will actively contribute to our research and be responsible for ensuring that the Tzelepis laboratory research is competitive and novel. The ideal candidate will be a team player with excellent communication skills and support a variety of experimental procedures, animal handling, imaging and data collection as well as preparing results for publications and grant submissions. The post also entails training students and visiting researchers in techniques and equipment use, as well as instructing correct research conduct.

Our work is highly collaborative, and we operate at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, the Department of Haematology and the wider scientific ecosystem (Babraham campus, Sanger Institute etc.) with access to state-of-the-art equipment and facility support.

Essential requirements are a PhD in a relevant subject and strong expertise in either:

1. Condensate biology of disease or

2. Disease-associated tRNA modifications. The ideal candidate will also have experience in either stem-cell/cancer biology, mouse models and/or nucleic acid editing.

For queries regarding this post, please contact Dr Konstantinos Tzelepis, email: kt404@cam.ac.uk

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 2 years in the first instance.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure (criminal records check) check, a health assessment and a security check.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Applicants must have (or be close to obtaining) a PhD.

Appointment at Research Associate level is dependent on having a PhD. Those who have submitted but not yet received their PhD will initially be appointed as a Research Assistant (Grade 5, Point 38 £34,132) moving to Research Associate (Grade 7) upon confirmation of your PhD award.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter and CV in the Upload section of the online application. The covering letter should outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

Closing date: 16th April 2025

Interview date: 23rd April 2025

Please quote reference PS45501 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Would you like to join a friendly and busy department? The Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience (PDN) is looking for a cleaner to join our team providing an efficient and reliable service to our buildings located in central Cambridge.

Our small team of cleaners make essential contributions to our community. You will work as part of the team providing a high standard of cleaning in all areas. Duties will include washing of scientific glassware, cleaning research and teaching laboratories, lecture theatres, offices, corridors, stairways and toilets.

No formal qualifications are required as training will be provided, however NVQ Level 1 Cleaning and Support Services Skills would be advantageous. Experience of laboratory and/or office cleaning would be beneficial. Good communication skills are essential as is the ability to follow written and verbal instructions from supervisors. A willingness to be flexible in approach and reliability are essential.

The position is offered on a permanent, part-time basis, 32 hours per week. The hours of work are flexible, between 7am and 4pm

The University is an accredited Real Living Wage (RLW) employer, and will ensure that employees are paid at least the prevailing RLW rate.

For more information about this post, please contact Katie Conran, Facilities and Operations Manager kc662@cam.ac.uk.

Apply:

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

On the online form, in the suitability for the role section, you should explain the reasons for your application and how your knowledge, skills and experience match the requirements of the role. The full contact details for two professional referees should be provided; please note that we will assume that you are happy for us to approach your referees at any stage, unless you indicate otherwise in the space provided on the form.

If you are unable to use the online system for your application, please contact Tracey Flack, pdnhr@pdn.cam.ac.uk.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 13 April 2025. Interviews will be held on 24 April 2025.

Please quote reference PM45497 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The Department of Physiology, Development & Neuroscience particularly welcomes applications from candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented in our department.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

The post Cambridge leads in spinouts success in 2024, new report reveals appeared first on Cambridge Enterprise.

The post Innovating for good appeared first on Cambridge Enterprise.

We wish to recruit an enthusiastic and self-motivated IT Technician to join our evolving IT team, providing the Department of Plant Sciences with IT support across multiple sites within Cambridge. The IT Team provision support with teaching, research and administration activities throughout the department, working in line with the Universities' guidance and policies to promote excellent standards and practices. The role will be split between the main Department of Plant Sciences building on Downing Site and the Crop Science Centre in north-west Cambridge. This will be a hands-on role providing first and second line support and therefore requires good communication and relationship-building skills.

The role will be well supported by the IT Service Manager in the department, by the School of Biological Sciences Head of IT, and by colleagues in similar roles in other university departments. A wide range of training and professional career development opportunities are also available and encouraged. If you have the technical skills to help with the delivery of resilient IT services for the department, and the personality and drive to contribute to an outstanding support culture, please do apply - we'll be delighted to hear from you. This role is based within the Department of Plant Sciences, and full-time, on-site presence is expected.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please notice that if you have not received any news from us 1 month after the closing date you should consider that on this occasion your application has not been successful.

Please quote reference PD45472 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

The Department of Biochemistry, a large and flourishing academic community that enjoys a world-class reputation for both teaching and research, is embedded in the School of the Biological Sciences. An exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and efficient individual to join the Department as Receptionist & Administrative Assistant - a key member of the Department's Secretariat team.

Based in a busy and friendly professional services team, and reporting to the PA to the Head of Department, the successful candidate will join a dynamic and dedicated team of reception, clerical and general administrative support specialists who work as a team to underpin the Department's performance and reputation as a modern, progressive academic teaching and research institution.

The successful candidate will provide a friendly and welcoming front-of-house service to staff, students and visitors to the Department of Biochemistry across its two main sites in Tennis Court Road at the Hopkins and the Sanger Buildings. Routine reception duties (responding to calls, distributing mail, issuing keys and access cards, supporting security and safety procedures etc.) are enhanced by the opportunity to explore a wider range of administrative tasks. These may include assisting with the support of departmental committee business, helping with general administrative tasks, and being involved in departmental event planning, organisation and promotion. There is plenty of opportunity and scope to excel in various areas of administrative support, allowing for the opportunity to hone and develop a diverse skill set.

Overall, this is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic individual to be central to the smooth running of departmental operations and governance by providing an efficient, friendly and 'can-do' front of house and administrative support service.

Educated to at least GSCE-level or equivalent, the ideal candidate will be able to work on their own initiative, be well organised in prioritising their work, be flexible in their approach and have excellent communication and IT skills along with a strong sense of team playing and working flexibly across a varied workload. They will have a strong understanding of the need for confidentiality, maintaining professionalism and discretion in all undertakings.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Interviews are expected to be held on Wednesday 14th May 2025.

Informal discussions are welcome; please contact the Departmental Administrator & General Manager, Dr Katherine Wallington (email: da@bioc.cam.ac.uk).

For further assistance, please contact the Biochemistry HR team via email: personnel@bioc.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PH45480 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

We are seeking a creative and motivated Research Assistant./Research Associate to work on an ESRC-funded project at Dr Deborah Talmi's Emotional Cognition Lab at the Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge (https://dtalmi.wixsite.com/emotional-cognition), working collaboratively with Prof Rik Henson at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit (https://www.mrc-cbu.cam.ac.uk/people/rik.henson) and Prof Emily Holmes (Uppsala, Sweden).

Please note there is a requirement for this position to work from the office in central Cambridge at least 3 days a week.

This post will involve conducting advanced memory modelling. The primary objective of this position is to develop temporal context models which can integrate new empirical evidence collected at the lab as part of this ongoing project. The ideal applicant will have independently conducted model optimisation and fitted complex models to empirical data. They will be able to demonstrate understanding of the mathematical foundations of memory models, and interest in independent model development.

Please enclose a cover letter and a 2-page CV following the guidance here: https://www.careers.cam.ac.uk/files/phdpostdoccvbook.pdf

The successful candidate will have - A strong quantitative background. Please explain how your training to date provides you with the expertise to develop and analyse formal models independently.

• A track record of publications in modelling human or animal memory (manuscripts in preparation will be considered). Please link to and explain the relevance of each publication, and your specific contribution to the modelling work (e.g. to development, testing etc.).

  • Obtained (or be close to the completion of) a PhD in computational neuroscience, mathematical psychology, mathematics, computer science, machine learning, statistics, or a related field. Please include degree dates and outcomes, as well as graduation date and/or viva date.

Preference will be given to candidates with:

• Sufficient programming skills to run numerical simulations and use large-scale optimization packages

• A quantitative undergraduate degree

• Hands-on experience with how experimental data is collected in humans

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 1 October 2026 in the first instance.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please enclose a cover letter and a 2-page CV following the guidance here: https://www.careers.cam.ac.uk/files/phdpostdoccvbook.pdf

For informal inquiries, please contact Deborah Talmi at dt492@cam.ac.uk

Closing Date: Monday 21st April 2025 at 12 Midnight

Interview Date: Thursday 1st May 2025

Please quote reference PJ45482 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Demetrius Floudas will take us on a fascinating journey through the story of the Royal House of Atreus - one of the most famous and troubled noble families from ancient Greek mythology. Do not miss this chance to explore in detail one of the most influential royal geneaologies ever!

Join us for an evening with Tananarive Due. The event will include readings, interview, and Q&A.

?A feast of creation, with the New Cambridge Singers and top-class soloists.

We are seeking to recruit a research assistant to work for the laboratory of Camilla Godlee in the Department of Biochemistry at the University of Cambridge, UK. Research in the Godlee lab focuses on host-pathogen interactions of bacterial infections. https://www.godleelab.com/ https://www.bioc.cam.ac.uk/research/faculty/camilla-godlee

The position would suit an ambitious and talented graduate who has recently completed a degree in Molecular or Cellular Biology or Biochemistry and is keen to gain further laboratory research experience.

The key responsibilities of the post are assisting with research projects, contributing to laboratory organisation, maintenance of laboratory stocks, ordering of reagents, and managing chemical and biological waste. There will also be the opportunity to pursue an independent research project.

The ideal candidate will have a strong aptitude for scientific research, excellent communication skills, good time-management and organisational abilities. The ability to work well in a team is essential. Previous research experience in eukaryotic cell biology, flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, infection biology or microbiology would be highly desirable. Training will be provided as required.

Applicants should submit a CV citing relevant experience, a cover letter explaining why they are suitable for the position and contact information for at least two referees.

Fixed-term: The successful candidate would be expected to start at the beginning of October 2025. The funds for this post are available until 31 August 2026 in the first instance.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Informal enquiries are welcome to be sent to Camilla Godlee: cbjg2@cam.ac.uk.

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact: personnel@bioc.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PH45450 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Salary: £22,637 - £23,076 per annum (pro-rata for 0.95 FTE) plus 15% shift allowance = £26,032 - £26,537 per annum. This equates to approximately an hourly rate of £12.52 - £12.76 (£14.39 - £14.67 with 15% uplift).

Fixed Term: This post is fixed-term until 9 September 2025.

We have an exciting opportunity for someone to join us as a 24/7 Veterinary Care Assistant in our Small Animal Wing on a temporary basis. The referral hospital is a very fast-paced environment working with complex and seriously ill animals. The temporary role will begin as soon as possible from April 2025 and will continue until the 9th of September 2025.

The main objective of the role is to provide animal care to an excellent standard for the Queen's Veterinary School referral Hospital, to meet the needs of the service in the Small Animal Wing. The small animal wing consists of four dog, two cat, critical care, isolation wards housing an average of 15-25 patients during the overnight period and Theatre Suite.

You will play an important part in a primary care team working alongside nurses and other veterinary care assistants. Responsibilities will include cleaning and animal care duties in order to assist veterinary nurses in the inpatient area and in theatres.

In return, we offer an encouraging and nurturing environment and have a dedicated team of clinicians, nurses and veterinary care assistants who are committed to providing the best care for our patients.

Benefits - Generous paid annual leave including bank holidays - Defined benefit pension scheme - Enhanced family friendly policies - Access to a dedicated Personal and Professional Development team - Wellness programme including Occupational Health team and Staff counselling - Staff discount scheme including shopping vouchers - Cycle to work scheme - Travel to work loans - Eye care voucher scheme - Discounted gym membership

If you have any questions about this role please contact the Clinical HR Team by email: qvsh.hr@vet.cam.ac.uk. Please quote reference PP45440 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

Further particulars for the role and information about the Department are available at: www.vet.cam.ac.uk

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a health assessment.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Applications will be monitored regularly, and we may contact candidates prior to the closing date. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Closing date: 06 April 2025

Interviews will commence mid-late April 2025.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

The School of Biological Sciences is seeking to recruit a Training and Inclusive Support Manager (TISM) to work closely with the Cambridge Biosciences Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP) team. The main purpose of this role is to lead on the planning and delivery of the training and skills development programme for Doctoral students funded by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) with a particular focus on understanding the varying skillsets, backgrounds, experience, and routes by which students arrive in order to help co-create bespoke development plans as these students progress through their doctoral programme.

Key features of our programme include the focus on interdisciplinary training, collaborative training with external partners and widening participation to ensure that we recruit and support talented students from groups who are currently underrepresented in postgraduate life sciences research.

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate: experience of designing and facilitating training, excellent interpersonal and planning skills and familiarity with the teaching and transferable skills needs of postgraduate students.

Full details are available in the further particulars.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available until 30 September 2028 in the first instance.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please quote reference PA45459 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

The Department of Biochemistry, a large and flourishing academic community that enjoys a world-class reputation for both teaching and research, is embedded in the School of the Biological Sciences. A new and exciting opportunity has arisen for an enthusiastic and efficient individual to join the Department as a Secretary & Receptionist - a key member of the Department's Secretariat team.

Based in a busy and friendly professional services team, and reporting to the PA to the Head of Department, the successful candidate will join a dynamic and dedicated team of reception, clerical and general administrative support specialists who work as a team to underpin the Department's performance and reputation as a modern, progressive academic teaching and research institution.

The successful candidate will provide a full secretarial service to departmental academics and/or senior management and will take an active role on reception in the Department's two buildings on a rotational basis. This is a key role in support of the smooth and efficient operation of the Department's work and time.

The successful candidate will contribute to the committee work of the Department and be central to the smooth running of operations and governance by providing an efficient, friendly and 'can-do' secretarial and reception service. Due to the nature of the role, the position is office-based, Monday to Friday.

Educated to at least A-level or equivalent, the ideal candidate will be experienced in administrative office work and have a clear understanding of general reception and secretarial responsibilities, along with a strong sense of team playing and working flexibly across a varied workload.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3 years in the first instance.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Interviews are expected to be held on Monday 12th May 2025.

Informal discussions are welcome; please contact the Departmental Administrator & General Manager, Dr Katherine Wallington (email: da@bioc.cam.ac.uk).

For further assistance, please contact the Biochemistry HR team via email: personnel@bioc.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference PH45464 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

The post Innovate Cambridge announces its first Innovation Advisory Council appeared first on Cambridge Enterprise.

A postdoctoral position is available in the Henderson group.The role is to perform computational analysis of single read nanopore data for patterns of DNA methylation. The role holder should have excellent competency in relevant programming languages, for example C, Python, or R. Experience with nanopore data is beneficial and will have excellent skills working in teams and communicating complex research projects. The successful candidate should have a degree in a relevant area of bioscience or computer science.

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please notice that if you have not received any news from us 1 month after the closing date you should consider that on this occasion your application has not been successful.

Please quote reference PD45456 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

A major review of over 67,000 animal species has found that while the natural world continues to face a biodiversity crisis, targeted conservation efforts are helping bring many species back from the brink of extinction.

Using advanced analysis based on full genome sequences, researchers from the University of Cambridge have found evidence that modern humans are the result of a genetic mixing event between two ancient populations that diverged around 1.5 million years ago. About 300,000 years ago, these groups came back together, with one group contributing 80% of the genetic makeup of modern humans and the other contributing 20%.

For the last two decades, the prevailing view in human evolutionary genetics has been that Homo sapiens first appeared in Africa around 200,000 to 300,000 years ago, and descended from a single lineage. However, these latest results, reported in the journal Nature Genetics, suggest a more complex story.

“The question of where we come from is one that has fascinated humans for centuries,” said first author Dr Trevor Cousins from Cambridge’s Department of Genetics. “For a long time, it’s been assumed that we evolved from a single continuous ancestral lineage, but the exact details of our origins are uncertain.”

“Our research shows clear signs that our evolutionary origins are more complex, involving different groups that developed separately for more than a million years, then came back to form the modern human species,” said co-author Professor Richard Durbin, also from the Department of Genetics.

While earlier research has already shown that Neanderthals and Denisovans – two now-extinct human relatives – interbred with Homo sapiens around 50,000 years ago, this new research suggests that long before those interactions – around 300,000 years ago – a much more substantial genetic mixing took place. Unlike Neanderthal DNA, which makes up roughly 2% of the genome of non-African modern humans, this ancient mixing event contributed as much as 10 times that amount and is found in all modern humans.

The team’s method relied on analysing modern human DNA, rather than extracting genetic material from ancient bones, and enabled them to infer the presence of ancestral populations that may have otherwise left no physical trace. The data used in the study is from the 1000 Genomes Project, a global initiative that sequenced DNA from populations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

The team developed a computational algorithm called cobraa that models how ancient human populations split apart and later merged back together. They tested the algorithm using simulated data and applied it to real human genetic data from the 1000 Genomes Project.

While the researchers were able to identify these two ancestral populations, they also identified some striking changes that happened after the two populations initially broke apart.

“Immediately after the two ancestral populations split, we see a severe bottleneck in one of them—suggesting it shrank to a very small size before slowly growing over a period of one million years,” said co-author Professor Aylwyn Scally, also from the Department of Genetics. “This population would later contribute about 80% of the genetic material of modern humans, and also seems to have been the ancestral population from which Neanderthals and Denisovans diverged.”

The study also found that genes inherited from the second population were often located away from regions of the genome linked to gene functions, suggesting that they may have been less compatible with the majority genetic background. This hints at a process known as purifying selection, where natural selection removes harmful mutations over time.

“However, some of the genes from the population which contributed a minority of our genetic material, particularly those related to brain function and neural processing, may have played a crucial role in human evolution,” said Cousins.

Beyond human ancestry, the researchers say their method could help to transform how scientists study the evolution of other species. In addition to their analysis of human evolutionary history, they applied the cobraa model to genetic data from bats, dolphins, chimpanzees, and gorillas, finding evidence of ancestral population structure in some but not all of these.

“What’s becoming clear is that the idea of species evolving in clean, distinct lineages is too simplistic,” said Cousins. “Interbreeding and genetic exchange have likely played a major role in the emergence of new species repeatedly across the animal kingdom.”

So who were our mysterious human ancestors? Fossil evidence suggests that species such as Homo erectus and Homo heidelbergensis lived both in Africa and other regions during this period, making them potential candidates for these ancestral populations, although more research (and perhaps more evidence) will be needed to identify which genetic ancestors corresponded to which fossil group.

Looking ahead, the team hopes to refine their model to account for more gradual genetic exchanges between populations, rather than sharp splits and reunions. They also plan to explore how their findings relate to other discoveries in anthropology, such as fossil evidence from Africa that suggests early humans may have been far more diverse than previously thought.

“The fact that we can reconstruct events from hundreds of thousands or millions of years ago just by looking at DNA today is astonishing,” said Scally. “And it tells us that our history is far richer and more complex than we imagined.”

The research was supported by Wellcome. Aylwyn Scally is a Fellow of Darwin College, Cambridge. Trevor Cousins is a member of Darwin College, Cambridge.

 

Reference:
Trevor Cousins, Aylwyn Scally & Richard Durbin. ‘A structured coalescent model reveals deep ancestral structure shared by all modern humans.’ Nature Genetics (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41588-025-02117-1

Modern humans descended from not one, but at least two ancestral populations that drifted apart and later reconnected, long before modern humans spread across the globe.

Our history is far richer and more complex than we imaginedAylwyn ScallyJose A. Bernat Bacete via Getty ImagesPlaster reconstructions of the skulls of human ancestors

The text in this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Images, including our videos, are Copyright ©University of Cambridge and licensors/contributors as identified. All rights reserved. We make our image and video content available in a number of ways – on our main website under its Terms and conditions, and on a range of channels including social media that permit your use and sharing of our content under their respective Terms.

Yes

Using advanced analysis based on full genome sequences, researchers from the University of Cambridge have found evidence that modern humans are the result of a genetic mixing event between two ancient populations that diverged around 1.5 million years ago. About 300,000 years ago, these groups came back together, with one group contributing 80% of the genetic makeup of modern humans and the other contributing 20%.

For the last two decades, the prevailing view in human evolutionary genetics has been that Homo sapiens first appeared in Africa around 200,000 to 300,000 years ago, and descended from a single lineage. However, these latest results, reported in the journal Nature Genetics, suggest a more complex story.

“The question of where we come from is one that has fascinated humans for centuries,” said first author Dr Trevor Cousins from Cambridge’s Department of Genetics. “For a long time, it’s been assumed that we evolved from a single continuous ancestral lineage, but the exact details of our origins are uncertain.”

“Our research shows clear signs that our evolutionary origins are more complex, involving different groups that developed separately for more than a million years, then came back to form the modern human species,” said co-author Professor Richard Durbin, also from the Department of Genetics.

While earlier research has already shown that Neanderthals and Denisovans – two now-extinct human relatives – interbred with Homo sapiens around 50,000 years ago, this new research suggests that long before those interactions – around 300,000 years ago – a much more substantial genetic mixing took place. Unlike Neanderthal DNA, which makes up roughly 2% of the genome of non-African modern humans, this ancient mixing event contributed as much as 10 times that amount and is found in all modern humans.

The team’s method relied on analysing modern human DNA, rather than extracting genetic material from ancient bones, and enabled them to infer the presence of ancestral populations that may have otherwise left no physical trace. The data used in the study is from the 1000 Genomes Project, a global initiative that sequenced DNA from populations across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

The team developed a computational algorithm called cobraa that models how ancient human populations split apart and later merged back together. They tested the algorithm using simulated data and applied it to real human genetic data from the 1000 Genomes Project.

While the researchers were able to identify these two ancestral populations, they also identified some striking changes that happened after the two populations initially broke apart.

“Immediately after the two ancestral populations split, we see a severe bottleneck in one of them—suggesting it shrank to a very small size before slowly growing over a period of one million years,” said co-author Professor Aylwyn Scally, also from the Department of Genetics. “This population would later contribute about 80% of the genetic material of modern humans, and also seems to have been the ancestral population from which Neanderthals and Denisovans diverged.”

The study also found that genes inherited from the second population were often located away from regions of the genome linked to gene functions, suggesting that they may have been less compatible with the majority genetic background. This hints at a process known as purifying selection, where natural selection removes harmful mutations over time.

“However, some of the genes from the population which contributed a minority of our genetic material, particularly those related to brain function and neural processing, may have played a crucial role in human evolution,” said Cousins.

Beyond human ancestry, the researchers say their method could help to transform how scientists study the evolution of other species. In addition to their analysis of human evolutionary history, they applied the cobraa model to genetic data from bats, dolphins, chimpanzees, and gorillas, finding evidence of ancestral population structure in some but not all of these.

“What’s becoming clear is that the idea of species evolving in clean, distinct lineages is too simplistic,” said Cousins. “Interbreeding and genetic exchange have likely played a major role in the emergence of new species repeatedly across the animal kingdom.”

So who were our mysterious human ancestors? Fossil evidence suggests that species such as Homo erectus and Homo heidelbergensis lived both in Africa and other regions during this period, making them potential candidates for these ancestral populations, although more research (and perhaps more evidence) will be needed to identify which genetic ancestors corresponded to which fossil group.

Looking ahead, the team hopes to refine their model to account for more gradual genetic exchanges between populations, rather than sharp splits and reunions. They also plan to explore how their findings relate to other discoveries in anthropology, such as fossil evidence from Africa that suggests early humans may have been far more diverse than previously thought.

“The fact that we can reconstruct events from hundreds of thousands or millions of years ago just by looking at DNA today is astonishing,” said Scally. “And it tells us that our history is far richer and more complex than we imagined.”

The research was supported by Wellcome. Aylwyn Scally is a Fellow of Darwin College, Cambridge. Trevor Cousins is a member of Darwin College, Cambridge.

 

Reference:
Trevor Cousins, Aylwyn Scally & Richard Durbin. ‘A structured coalescent model reveals deep ancestral structure shared by all modern humans.’ Nature Genetics (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41588-025-02117-1

Modern humans descended from not one, but at least two ancestral populations that drifted apart and later reconnected, long before modern humans spread across the globe.

Our history is far richer and more complex than we imaginedAylwyn ScallyJose A. Bernat Bacete via Getty ImagesPlaster reconstructions of the skulls of human ancestors

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