Category: Uncategorized

JUNK DNA. Our genomes are 99% similar to primates, but it is retroviruses that make humans unique, in junk DNA. 93-95% of human DNA is junk DNA. “We are predominantly junk. But junk DNA is the remains of ancient retroviruses.” https://lnkd.in/guhpmyR View in LinkedIn

OUR GENOMES. “Designated by some to be the graveyards of endogenous retroviruses.” https://lnkd.in/guhpmyR View in LinkedIn

OUR ROOTS. “Retroviruses can help to explain how viruses evolved into human beings.” https://lnkd.in/guhpmyR View in LinkedIn

VIRAL IMPACT. “How has this rewiring affected our species?” https://lnkd.in/guhpmyR View in LinkedIn

WHO WE ARE. “It is really easy to come to the conclusion that we are viruses.” https://lnkd.in/guhpmyR View in LinkedIn

MERGED BEINGS. Viral integration into the germline “when a virus and a host merge: they are not acting like viruses, but they are a part of our own genetic fabric, which could affect the future course of evolution.” Retroviruses can change our genetic code. https://lnkd.in/guhpmyR View in LinkedIn

ORIGINS. “Given the potential role of viruses in evolution, many are starting to question who we really are and where we came from.” (Thank you Paul Gaugin: D'où Venons Nous / Que Sommes Nous / Où Allons Nous). https://lnkd.in/guhpmyR View in LinkedIn

FRAGMENT FROM NATURE continues from last weekend on the role of viruses in evolution. While many dismiss viruses as non-living entities not worthy to be included in the tree of life, others contend, with strong evidence, that these creatures have played a key role in the evolution of life on this planet, including our own. Come and see what these non-living molecules have been up to. Are they the hand behind the wheel? View in LinkedIn

NEW CHAPTER. “Viruses gave rise to the first complex cells, and played a role in the diversification of life; changed the way that young are born; drove the wedge that separated us from our closest cousins; and may have given rise to complex emotion.” https://lnkd.in/guhpmyR View in LinkedIn

TESTING THE IMPACT. "We examine the variances in synchronous display of female and male function, ratio of male to female flowers per day and subsequently reproductive output in small populations of two monoecious plants, Sagittaria trifolia and Sagittaria graminea." https://lnkd.in/encXPYB View in LinkedIn