Student researchers discover genes unique to humans in search for source of our evolutionary distinctiveness

“Using computational tools, the team [from City University of New York] discovered with a high degree of likelihood that the predicted gene targets of the relevant miRNAs are related to embryonic development. Both miR3648 and miR6724 have been detected in tissues throughout the human body, including the brain, and may conceivably play a role in the evolution of humankind’s most unique organ. The findings point to the intriguing idea that these microRNA genes contributed to the distinct evolution of our species and the uniqueness of humankind.    MORE

Image Credit: phys.org