Elizabeth Pennisi

Liz Pennisi writes about genomics, evolution, microbiology and organismal biology. She has an undergraduate degree in biology from Cornell University and a master's degree in science writing from Boston University.

All Stories by Elizabeth Pennisi

  1. Animals

    Regeneration of fins and limbs relies on a shared cellular playbook

    The findings strengthen the case that regeneration is an old trait, offering insights into how complex tissues rebuild themselves.

  2. Animals

    Some dung beetles dig deep to keep their eggs cool

    A temperate tunneling species of dung beetle seems capable of adapting to climate change, but their tropical cousins may be less resilient.

  3. Plants

    In a new kind of plant trickery, this yam fools birds with fake berries

    Black-bulb yam’s mimicry tricks birds into spreading its berrylike clones. The plant's novel strategy helps it spread without seeds or sexual reproduction.

  4. Animals

    How male seahorses tap into their mothering side

    By studying the genes responsible for the seahorse’s brood pouch, researchers uncovered a new route to “motherhood.”