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Genomic Time Machine Reveals 100 Million Years of Evolutionary History

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Researchers from Texas A&M University utilized the largest mammalian genomic dataset to explore mammal evolutionary history, revealing that mammal diversification began prior to the extinction of non-avian dinosaurs and accelerated afterward. This study, part of the Zoonomia Project, involved analyzing genomes from 241 species and aims to enhance human health and biodiversity conservation by identifying genetic targets for diseases and understanding human traits.

The research, led by Dr. William J. Murphy and Dr. Nicole Foley, settles the debate about whether placental mammals diversified before or after the K-Pg extinction event. The findings indicate that mammals started diversifying due to continental drift and experienced another wave of diversification post-extinction, leading to a rich variety of mammal lineages today.

Foley’s work produced the largest mammalian phylogenetic tree, foundational to Zoonomia’s goals of comparing mammalian genomes to refine human genomic understanding. The implications extend to potential new treatments for genetic diseases, exemplified by recent work on Angelman syndrome, and may aid in discovering genetic anomalies across species, informing conservation and therapeutic practices. Ultimately, the dataset serves as a vital resource for future comparative genomics research.

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