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Related Concept Videos

Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons02:54

Evolutionary Relationships through Genome Comparisons

Genome comparison is one of the excellent ways to interpret the evolutionary relationships between organisms. The basic principle of genome comparison is that if two species share a common feature, it is likely encoded by the DNA sequence conserved between both species. The advent of genome sequencing technologies in the late 20th century enabled scientists to understand the concept of conservation of domains between species and helped them to deduce evolutionary relationships across diverse...
Genomics02:02

Genomics

Genomics is the science of genomes: it is the study of all the genetic material of an organism. In humans, the genome consists of information carried in 23 pairs of chromosomes in the nucleus, as well as mitochondrial DNA. In genomics, both coding and non-coding DNA is sequenced and analyzed. Genomics allows a better understanding of all living things, their evolution, and their diversity. It has a myriad of uses: for example, to build phylogenetic trees, to improve productivity and...
Synteny and Evolution02:31

Synteny and Evolution

John H. Renwick first coined the term “synteny” in 1971, which refers to the genes present on the same chromosomes, even if they are not genetically linked. The species with common ancestry tend to show conserved syntenic regions. Therefore, the concept of synteny is nowadays used to describe the evolutionary relationship between species.
Around 80 million years ago, the human and mice lineages diverged from the common ancestor. During the course of evolution, the ancestral chromosome underwent...
Evolution of Microbial Genome01:08

Evolution of Microbial Genome

Microbial genome evolution is a highly dynamic process shaped by continual gene gain and loss across species and strains. This genomic flexibility allows microorganisms to adapt rapidly to environmental pressures and interactions with other organisms. Central to understanding this diversity is the distinction between the core and pan genomes.The core genome comprises the genes shared by all sampled strains of a species, representing essential functions needed for fundamental cellular processes.
Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes03:21

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.
Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes03:21

Genome Size and the Evolution of New Genes

While every living organism has a genome of some kind (be it RNA, or DNA), there is considerable variation in the sizes of these blueprints. One major factor that impacts genome size is whether the organism is prokaryotic or eukaryotic. In prokaryotes, the genome contains little to no non-coding sequence, such that genes are tightly clustered in groups or operons sequentially along the chromosome. Conversely, the genes in eukaryotes are punctuated by long stretches of non-coding sequence.

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Amplification of Near Full-length HIV-1 Proviruses for Next-Generation Sequencing
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Insights into hominid evolution from the gorilla genome sequence.

Aylwyn Scally1, Julien Y Dutheil, LaDeana W Hillier

  • 1Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton CB10 1SA, UK.

Nature
|March 9, 2012
PubMed
Summary

Gorilla genomes reveal insights into human evolution, showing shared ancestry and accelerated gene evolution, particularly for hearing. This research deepens our understanding of great ape biology and evolutionary history.

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Area of Science:

  • Genomics
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Primatology

Background:

  • Gorillas are crucial for understanding human origins and evolution, being closely related to humans.
  • Comparative genomics of great apes provides insights into speciation events and evolutionary pressures.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assemble and analyze the western lowland gorilla genome.
  • To compare gorilla genomes with other great apes to understand evolutionary relationships and selection.
  • To investigate genetic divergence and exchange between western and eastern gorilla species.

Main Methods:

  • Whole-genome sequencing and comparative analysis of gorilla, human, and chimpanzee genomes.
  • Analysis of protein-coding genes for accelerated evolution.
  • Divergence time estimation and genetic exchange analysis between gorilla species.

Main Results:

  • The study proposes speciation events for humans, chimpanzees, and gorillas around 6 and 10 million years ago.
  • Significant portions of the genome show closer similarity between gorillas and humans/chimpanzees than between humans and chimpanzees, indicating pervasive selection.
  • Approximately 500 genes exhibited accelerated evolution in gorillas, humans, and chimpanzees, with notable parallel acceleration in hearing-related genes.
  • Estimated divergence between western and eastern gorillas at 1.75 million years ago, with evidence of recent genetic exchange and a population bottleneck in eastern gorillas.

Conclusions:

  • The western lowland gorilla genome assembly provides a valuable resource for evolutionary studies.
  • Comparative genomic analysis reveals complex evolutionary histories and selective pressures across great ape lineages.
  • Understanding gorilla genetics enhances our knowledge of primate evolution, speciation, and adaptation.