Science

An ancient virus in chimpanzee DNA switches off a gene that is active in humans

Source: Phys.org · Published

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An ancient virus in chimpanzee DNA switches off a gene that is active in humans

Humans and chimpanzees share almost all their genes. Despite this, our brains have developed in different ways. Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have now shown that a viral pandemic dating back several million years is likely to be part of the explanation.

Key points

  • Humans and chimpanzees share almost all their genes.
  • Despite this, our brains have developed in different ways.
  • Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have now shown that a viral pandemic dating back several million years is likely to be part of the explanation.

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