JERUSALEM, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Israeli researchers have developed a genetic method to restore the DNA control systems of ancient human brains, despite the lack of preserved brain tissue over millions of years, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem (HU) said in a statement on Wednesday.
In a new study published in Nature Ecology & Evolution, HU scientists created an algorithm that restores the epigenetic landscape of ancient human brains, the chemical modifications to DNA that regulate gene expression without changing the DNA sequence.
The method allows for comparison with modern humans, providing insights into the evolution of the human brain, which has tripled in size over the past 2 million years, and its unique capabilities, such as language and innovation.
By analyzing epigenetic changes, the team uncovered evolutionary differences not detectable by traditional genetic comparisons, as DNA sequences from different eras may be the same.
The algorithm revealed over 1,850 sites with epigenetic modifications, some distinguishing modern humans from other ancient human species and others from chimpanzees.
Many of these changes occurred within genes critical for brain development, including those linked to intelligence and cognitive abilities.
The researchers noted that the method could also be applied to study other evolutionary differences, such as those between human and chimpanzee skin or the development of the human heart. ■
