Evolution is not as unpredictable as previously thought. This could allow scientists to explore which genes might be useful for solving pressing problems such as antibiotic or disease resistance.
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This is evidenced by a new study by scientists from the University of Nottingham (UK), reports EurekAlert.
The study… challenges long-held beliefs about the unpredictability of evolution and shows that the evolutionary trajectory of a genome can be influenced by its evolutionary history, rather than determined by multiple factors and historical contingencies, the paper says.
As part of the study, scientists analyzed the pangenome – the complete set of genes of a certain species.
The scientists spent several hundred thousand hours using a machine learning approach known as “random forest” (which involves constructing multiple decision “trees” during model training) and a dataset of 2,500 complete genomes from a single bacterial species. computer processing:
- After inputting the data into their high-performance computer, the team first created “gene families” from every gene in every genome. Thus, they were able to compare similar genomes with each other;
- Once the “families” were identified, the team analyzed the pattern of how these “families” were present in some genomes and absent in others.
We found that some gene families never appeared in the genome when other gene families were already present, and in other cases, some genes were highly dependent on the presence of other gene families, the researchers noted.
In essence, the scientists’ discovery suggests an invisible “ecosystem” where genes can cooperate or conflict with each other.
These interactions between genes make some aspects of evolution somewhat predictable, and in addition, we now have a tool that allows us to make these predictions, the researchers note.
According to scientists, this discovery could pave the way for the synthesis of new types of genetic constructs that could be used to develop new drugs or vaccines.
With this work, we can begin to explore which genes are “maintained,” such as the antibiotic resistance gene. Thus, if we are trying to eliminate antibiotic resistance, we can influence not only the main gene, but also the genes that support it, the researchers note.
Source: EurekAlert
Scientists have used bacteria to prove that evolution never stops.
The evolution of Europeans has continued over the past millennia.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.