linkedin post 2017-06-15 05:22:36

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DISTRIBUTION OF VIRAL FOSSILS. "Introns of lincRNA genes contain the highest percentage of TE-derived sequences (TES), followed by exons and then promoter regions although the density of TEs is not significantly different between exons and promoters." (TE = transposable elements; LincRNA= long intergenic non-coding RNA). https://lnkd.in/dwuaM5f View in LinkedIn
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linkedin post 2017-06-15 05:13:48

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TWO TRACK SYSTEM. “Viral-derived fossil genes, mostly non-functional, have contributed significantly to the vast universe of genes controlling non-coding RNAs, the parallel universe to the coding genes that have obsessed geneticists for decades. The parallel universe (noncoding) is virally-driven, fast evolving, more flexible, and may turn out to control many cellular functions.” https://lnkd.in/dwuaM5f View in LinkedIn
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linkedin post 2017-06-18 11:32:41

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SHEEP'S CLOTHING. "Our results show that chemical mimicry is used by flat morph aphids to deceive worker ants and infiltrate their brood chamber." This involved evolving a bio synthetic process to make the ant coat protein, or a wolf in a sheep's clothing strategy. http://www.pnas.org/content/112/4/1101.full View in LinkedIn
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linkedin post 2017-06-17 04:21:29

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FRAGMENT FROM NATURE deals with ant aphid farming. Ant societies are highly organized and have evolved many stunning food strategies, from cultivating fungal gardens to rearing aphids. This is a case study of mutualism between the ant and the aphid, where both parties gain from the relationship, although the relationship is more in favour of the ant. Enjoy the story that took millions of years to brew. View in LinkedIn
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linkedin post 2017-06-18 11:28:16

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SNIFF TEST. "The main avenue of ant communication is chemical, and cuticular hydrocarbons have been shown to be particularly important in mediating nest-mate recognition. Several social parasites have developed the capacity to exploit this circumstance, penetrating ant societies by displaying chemicals that mimic those of their hosts. This strategy can be accomplished either by acquiring the host cuticular compounds through direct body contact (chemical camouflage) or by synthesizing them (chemical mimicry)." http://www.pnas.org/content/112/4/1101.full View in LinkedIn
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