Scientists place 500-million-year-old gene in modern organism (Ruh-Roh!)

Phys.org ^ | 11 July 2012 | Provided by Georgia Institute of Technology

[Red Badger]

Postdoctoral Fellow Betül Kaçar and Associate Professor Eric Gaucher are watching evolution in action resurrecting a 500-million-year-old gene from bacteria and inserted it into modern-day Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. Credit: Georgia Institute of Technology

Using a process called paleo-experimental evolution, Georgia Tech researchers have resurrected a 500-million-year-old gene from bacteria and inserted it into modern-day Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria. This bacterium has now been growing for more than 1,000 generations, giving the scientists a front row seat to observe evolution in action. Credit: Georgia Institute of Technology

What are they thinking?..............

[Red Badger]

Ping!..............

[ontap]

Wow!!! Maybe it'll turn into a tyrannosaurus Rex!!!

[Taffini]

As Malcolm said, just because you can do it doesn’t mean you should do it.

[Red Badger]

...and in an e. coli for goodness sakes............

[tumblindice]

"I'd like to be the first to welcome back our reptilian and insect overlords." Kent Brrrrrockman

[Darksheare]

Sci-Fi Nightmare may become reality ping.

[massmike]

Scientists place 500-million-year-old gene....

"Criswell predicts..."

"...a Helen Thomas picture within 10 posts....."

[oh8eleven]

Using a process called paleo-experimental evolution ...
Somehow, I get the feeling this won't end well.

[allmendream]

They were probably thinking they could learn a lot from it. And they did.

The ancient gene codes for a protein that apparently works fine - once the genes for the proteins it binds to evolved (de-evolved?) to better interact with it.

It is a very interesting finding. Not entirely unexpected -genes for proteins that interact often evolve in parallel, with a change in one that confers a temporary advantage necessitating a change in the other to better interact.

The basic premise of a sci-fi/horror movie is....

humans mess with nature
disaster results.

Like a Homer Simpson philosophy of “Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try.”

[Noob1999]

Fascinating,

But, but as our planet is on a death spiral due to manmade CO2, the evolution of a 500 million gene in todays atmosphere can’t prove anything.

We’re all going to die!!!!

[stephenjohnbanker]

We are ready!

[allmendream]

Did someone say "de-evolve"?

[tet68]

Or worse a tyrannosaurus E Coli.

Science is amazing but sometimes SiFi doesn’t even
come close to the horror of reality.

[Monkey Face]

WHAT?????

[massmike]

"Would you believe TWENTY posts....?"

[dfwgator]

I just realized that is Chi Chi Rodriguez.

[Darksheare]

This is just insane to read, isn’t it?

[Oberon]

Using a process called paleo-experimental evolution, Georgia Tech researchers have resurrected a 500-million-year-old gene from bacteria and inserted it into modern-day Escherichia coli(E. coli) bacteria. This bacterium has now been growing for more than 1,000 generations, giving the scientists a front row seat to observe evolution in action.

Considering they intervened to place the gene in the bacteria, I'd say what they're observing is actually intelligent design in action. 'Evolution' had already taken that gene out of the game.

[Oberon]

Using a process called paleo-experimental evolution, Georgia Tech researchers have resurrected a 500-million-year-old gene from bacteria and inserted it into modern-day Escherichia coli(E. coli) bacteria. This bacterium has now been growing for more than 1,000 generations, giving the scientists a front row seat to observe evolution in action.

Considering they intervened to place the gene in the bacteria, I'd say what they're observing is actually intelligent design in action. 'Evolution' had already taken that gene out of the game.