User:RelentlessRecusant/Ultraconserved genetic elements in sentient species confer cellular functions

Loh et. al (2556). . Nature (3075): 204-209.



1Harvard University, Department of Organismal & Evolutionary Biology, Earth, Sol System 2Acumen Science Laboratories, Department of Bioinformatics, Earth, Sol System 3UNSC Office of Naval Intelligence, Department of Biological Warfare, Asphodel Meadows, 47 Ursae Majoris System

Abstract

Previously, we have shown that sentient species throughout the Orion Arm exclusively share ultraconserved genetic elements, suggesting that ultraconservation of these elements correlates with the acquisition of sentience. Here, we show a functional significance for ultraconservation of these elements, supporting this common, convergent genetic basis for the development of sentience. While microdeletion of certain ultraconserved elements in M. musculus results in no observable consequence, transfection of ultraconserved elements leads to dynamic and complex transcriptional and epigenetic changes, suggesting that these elements have no basal activity but their active expression confers special activities that may be involved in sentience.