Category: Uncategorized

EMERGING PICTURE. "Despite the incompleteness of lncRNA annotations, it is nonetheless clear that lncRNAs are frequently present within non-coding regions of the genome known to be functional." (LncRNAs = long non-coding RNAs). https://lnkd.in/e9BHyYj View in LinkedIn

RNA DOMINANCE. "This evidence, as well as a growing list of examples of functional human lncRNAs containing trait-associated SNPs (such as MIAT), has supported the possibility that much of the intergenic functional sequence in organisms acts through non-coding RNA rather than, or in addition to, DNA." (LncRNAs = long non-coding RNAs; SNPs = Single nucleotide polymorphisms, frequently called SNPs are the most common type of genetic variation among people). https://lnkd.in/e9BHyYj View in LinkedIn

ISOFORM DIVERSITY. "The ENCODE project team observed that human genes do not follow a minimalistic isoform expression strategy; instead each gene simultaneously produces up to 10 to 12 isoforms. In contrast, Brown et al., observed that in Drosophila, most genes have relatively few isoforms. In fact, 42% of Drosophila genes encode only a single transcript isoform, whereas in mammals, 95% of genes have multiple expressed isoforms." https://lnkd.in/e9BHyYj View in LinkedIn

NEEDING EVIDENCE. "As stated by others, it is imperative that those who claim that the vast majority of intergenic transcription is functional test their hypotheses. In the absence of this evidence, the declaration that we are in the midst of a paradigm shift with regards to eukaryotic genomes and gene expression seems premature." http://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1004351 View in LinkedIn

SEVENTY-FIVE PERCENT. "In 2012, as part of the ENCODE project, which focused initially on humans, Djebali et al., showed the staggering complexity and expanse of the human transcriptome. At least three-quarters of the genome produces transcripts, many of which demonstrate complex splicing and specific expression patterns." https://lnkd.in/e9BHyYj View in LinkedIn

MINOR TRANSCRIPTION. "Eukaryotes appear to have evolved an intricate network of coupling reactions that are required to cope with a large burden of junk RNA. These findings are consistent with the idea that eukaryotic genomes are filled with junk DNA that is transcribed at a low level." http://journals.plos.org/plosgenetics/article?id=10.1371/journal.pgen.1004351 View in LinkedIn

INCOMPLETE CATALOG. "The application of deep sequencing to RNA analysis has shown that the majority of the genomic sequence is transcribed in humans and other metazoan species. These analyses have resulted in the identification of thousands of novel coding and non-coding genes. Yet, it is clear that the full catalog of transcription remains elusive." https://lnkd.in/e9BHyYj View in LinkedIn

COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE. "There is little doubt that one of the major evolutionary assets of therian mammals was a complex foot architecture with subtly integrated articular complexes at the ankle, subtalar and traverse tarsal joints." A brilliant three part anatomical analysis of the foot across species (OJ Lewis, St Bartholemew's Hospital, London). (Therian = marsupials and placentals). https://lnkd.in/er98r8i View in LinkedIn

OBLIGATE BIPEDS. "Of all extant primates, humans are the only obligate bipeds. Highly specialized postcranial adaptations, especially in the lower limb, characterize this unique form of locomotion. The foot is particularly specialized in both its anatomy and its function." https://lnkd.in/eicfqZV View in LinkedIn

EXAPTATION. "All epoch-making discoveries have in their wake a revision of pre-existing ideas." http://www.jstor.org/stable/43430678?seq=1#page_scan_tab_contents View in LinkedIn