University of Auckland researchers have been recognised by Quanta Magazine for one of the major biology breakthroughs of 2025.

The study suggests evolution often happens in short, intense bursts, rather than as a slow and steady process. Researchers looked at examples across cephalopods, ancient enzymes, and Indo-European languages to better understand how change happens over time.

Producer Pranuja spoke with Dr Peter Wills about punctuated equilibrium, the origins of genetic code, and why this research is gaining international attention.