Scientists show a link between the time of activation of dozens of genes in the embryo and how the life cycles of animals evolved. For more than a century, biologists have been perplexed by the varied life cycles exhibited by different animal species. While some species, including humans and most
The worm for which the researchers sequenced the genome. Credit: Queen Mary University of London
Still, the understanding researchers had of why larvae exist and how they originated was limited. More importantly, large-scale comparative studies addressing this issue had not previously used modern techniques based on sequencing the genetic information of an animal—the genome—and finding how the organism uses this information while growing. Until now.Nature
Francisco M. Martín-Zamora, PhD candidate at Queen Mary and co-first author of the study, said: “It’s impressive to see how evolution shaped the way animal embryos “tell the time” to activate important groups of genes earlier or later in development. Suppose a larval stage is no longer essential for your survival. In that case, it might be evolutionarily advantageous to, for example, activate the genes to form the trunk earlier and develop straight into an adult instead.
Dr. Chema Martín-Durán, Senior Lecturer in Organismal Biology at Queen Mary and the senior author in this research, said: “Developmental biology largely focuses on mice, flies and other well-established species we know as model organisms. Our study demonstrates that the fascinating biology of the often-overlooked non-model species is critical to understand how animal development works and how it evolved.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
Did bird wings evolve from velociraptors? New study suggests yesThe evolutionary origin of propatagium, a wing structure, has long-baffled scientists - until now.
Lire la suite »
Agatha Christie’s ‘The Sittaford Mystery’ to Get Indian Adaptation by Vishal Bhardwaj for SonyLIVAgatha Christie’s “The Sittaford Mystery” will be adapted as “Charlie Chopra & The Mystery Of Solang Valley” for streamer SonyLIV by renowned Indian filmmaker Vish…
Lire la suite »
'Superager' Genes Can Shave a Decade Off Heart Age, Scientists SayThe genes of people who live past 100 may help those of us who age less gracefully stay heart-healthy for longer thanks to some exciting new research.
Lire la suite »
How to explore a billion-year-old volcanic mystery along Lake SuperiorA billion years ago, the Upper Midwest once teemed with fiery geologic activity. Visitors can retrace the results of this billion-year-old story via cascading waterfalls, red sandstone sea caves, and towering cliffs
Lire la suite »
What Do Scientists Know About Vitamin D and Cancer?🔄From the archive: A growing body of research is still untangling the link.
Lire la suite »
Scientists Prove Validity of Key Physics Theorem in the Quantum WorldThe validity of a key theorem in physics for Bose-Einstein condensates has been confirmed by researchers at the University of Bonn. The physicists at the University of Bonn have experimentally demonstrated that a crucial theorem in statistical physics is applicable to Bose-Einstein condensates. Thi
Lire la suite »