Mammalian evolution is providing important clues about the origins of human disease. A new study led by geneticist and evolutionary biologist Dr. Clara Díaz-Uriarte from the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Porto in Portugal has uncovered evidence that certain genetic changes that occurred during mammalian evolution are linked to diseases, such as cancer and metabolic diseases, in humans today. The study, published in the journal Nature Communications, analyzed the genetics of thousands of species of mammals and found that certain evolutionary changes in gene expression, or “epigenetic modifications,” are associated with diseases in humans. The findings provide insight into how our modern-day diseases may have arisen, and could lead to new strategies for disease prevention and treatment.

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source: Phys.org