Recent research has revealed a surprising new role of mobile elements in the primate genome. Mobile elements, such as transposons and retrotransposons, are pieces of DNA that can move and copy themselves around the genome. It was previously thought that these elements were just “junk” DNA that had no biological importance. However, new research has discovered that these mobile elements were actually playing a significant part in the evolution of the primate genome, and even influencing the development of certain traits in humans.

This research was conducted by a team of scientists from the University of California, Berkeley. They collected and analyzed data from the genomes of several primate species, including humans, chimpanzees, and gorillas. They found that mobile elements had been actively involved in altering the primate genome, including mutations that could be responsible for traits such as the development of human intelligence.

This research is providing new insight into the evolution of the primate genome, and the potential role of mobile elements in the development of primate traits. It is also helping to explain why some traits, such as intelligence, have evolved differently in humans compared to other primates.

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source: Phys.org