‘Junk DNA’ not without use
In the junkyard of the human genome, Yale scientists have identified a few pieces of DNA that are more than just scrap metal.
Assistant professor of genetics James Noonan and a team of other geneticists recently found a sequence of genes among what was traditionally considered to be “junk DNA” that may have contributed to unique aspects of human-limb development — such as the opposable thumb.
“We’re interested in understanding the genetic basis of human uniqueness,” Noonan said. “We’re different from our closest primate relatives, and we’d like to know what the genetic...
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