Groundbreaking Findings: Human-like proximity of Simian species revealed

Researchers from around the world have successfully unraveled the genetic makeup of six different great ape species in their entirety.

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2025 September 18 . 7:08 PM

2 min read

Closely Related: Humankind and Primates share remarkable similarities

Groundbreaking Findings: Human-like proximity of Simian species revealed

The University of Hamburg announced on Thursday the completion of a groundbreaking study that has fully decoded the genomes of six great ape species: chimpanzee, bonobo, gorilla, Bornean and Sumatran orangutan, and the Siamang. This new research, published in the journal "Nature", marks a significant step forward in understanding the genetic relationship among these great ape species.

Led by Prof. Dr. Michael Quante from the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) at the University Hospital Freiburg, specializing in Gastrointestinal Tumor Medicine, the international research team employed new sequencing and analysis methods to achieve this feat. These methods have allowed for a more precise understanding of the genetic makeup of these species, refining previous analyses significantly.

Evan Eichler from the University of Washington served as the lead author of the study. The team's efforts have resulted in the decoding of a total of 215 chromosomes without gaps, a significant improvement over previous studies that had gaps in the decoded primate genomes.

The new genome data offer valuable insights into the evolution of great apes and their similarity to humans. Tobias Lenz from the Department of Biology at the University of Hamburg explained the study's findings, stating that the data can aid in researching why some pathogens can more easily jump to other species, including humans.

Since the human genome was first decoded in the year 2001, there have been repeated efforts to decode primate genomes. The Siamang, a close relative of great apes, was included in this study for the first time, providing a more comprehensive understanding of the genetic diversity within the great ape family.

The results of this study provide deeper insights into the evolution of great apes, offering a foundation for future research in this field. The new genome data will undoubtedly contribute to a better understanding of these fascinating species and their role in the broader ecosystem.