Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Jumping Genes in the Brain Ensure That Even Identical Twins Are Different

So lets identify some jumping genes that can reprogram themselves to take over and recreate functionality that was damaged/died during our strokes.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=what-makes-each-brain-unique
  • Genes we inherit and environmental factors both influence human behaviors. Scientists have recently discovered other underlying processes at work.
  • So-called jumping genes, segments of DNA that can copy and paste them­selves into new places in the genome, can alter the activity of full-length genes. Occasionally they will turn on neighboring genes in these locations. That activity occurs more in the brain than other areas, resulting in different traits and behaviors, even in closely related individuals.
  • These mobile genetic elements may also turn out to play a role in people’s disposition to psychiatric disorders.
  • Researchers are now beginning to investigate whether jumping genes help us adapt to rapidly changing environmental conditions.

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