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Ichthyic



Posts: 3325
Joined: May 2006

(Permalink) Posted: Aug. 16 2006,18:31   

http://www.physorg.com/news74970678.html

Quote
Scientists have discovered a gene that has undergone accelerated evolutionary change in humans and is active during a critical stage in brain development. Although researchers have yet to determine the precise function of the gene, the evidence suggests that it may play a role in the development of the cerebral cortex and may even help explain the dramatic expansion of this part of the brain during human evolution.


somehow, I think AFDave's entire linneage is lacking that gene; or maybe he's simply homozygous recessive?

on a more serious note, has anybody played with the genomics methods used for this study?

Quote
Pollard, as a postdoctoral researcher at UCSC, was part of the international team that performed the initial analysis of the chimpanzee genome. She and Haussler then devised a computational strategy for using the chimp genome and comparative genomics to identify regions of the human genome that had evolved rapidly.

"When we developed this computational method, we weren't sure what we would find. It was very rewarding to find that this region that came out at the top of our list is potentially relevant to human evolution in an interesting way," Pollard said.


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"And the sea will grant each man new hope..."

-CC

  
plasmasnake23



Posts: 42
Joined: June 2006

(Permalink) Posted: Aug. 17 2006,13:00   

This topic is cool and deserves a bump.

  
Ichthyic



Posts: 3325
Joined: May 2006

(Permalink) Posted: Aug. 17 2006,13:18   

I haven't seen Jean around in a while; I'd bet he would have some comments on the methods used.

anybody know what happened to him?

--------------
"And the sea will grant each man new hope..."

-CC

  
  2 replies since Aug. 16 2006,18:31 < Next Oldest | Next Newest >  

    


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