In tomorrow’s New York Times, I take a look at a new way of finding disease-related genes: search their ancient evolutionary history. Scientists can find genes involved in blood vessel growth in yeast–which have no blood. They can find genes that help build human embryos in plants, where they sense gravity. It’s a twist on a twist on Darwin’s great insights descent with modification. And I’m pleased to see that University of Chicago evolutionary biologist Jerry Coyne, a tough audience if ever there was one, is swayed by the piece. So check it out!
[Update: 9/27 7:30 am: I forgot! You can also listen to me talk with David Corcoran of the Times about this new research on the Science Times podcast.]
Originally published April 26, 2010. Copyright 2010 Carl Zimmer.