Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Scientists Catch a “Jumping Gene” Moving Between Species
scitechdaily ^ | July 11, 2026 | Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology

Posted on 07/12/2026 10:57:18 AM PDT by BenLurkin

The finding, made by researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen, shows that genes are not always inherited only from parent to offspring. Some genes can move, and in this case, the researchers directly observed evidence that a jumping gene can pass between species, from predator to prey.

Jumping genes are genetic parasites found in bacteria, plants, animals, and humans. They can be released inside cells as small RNA molecules from ribonucleic acid (RNA), then use specialized mechanisms to insert themselves into other parts of the genome. When they land in a new place, they can sometimes give a cell new traits, which can speed up evolutionary change.

One special type of jumping gene is known as a self-splicing intron. These introns use an RNA enzyme, called a ribozyme, to cut themselves free from RNA. That ability makes them unusually independent within the cell.

Ribonucleic acids are the working messages of living cells. These long-chain molecules carry instructions from the genetic material to the cell’s protein factories, and they are normally broken down quickly from their ends. Dead cells usually do not retain ribonucleic acids.

In this case, the intron RNA could survive because it forms a circle. With no open ends, the ring-shaped RNA resists the enzymes that would normally break it apart.

“The stability of intron RNA in its ring form is a distinctive feature. In humans, circular RNA molecules influence many metabolic processes, and their role in tumor development is currently the subject of intensive research. Applications in RNA vaccines, for example, against the Covid virus and certain forms of cancer, are also in the pipeline. Our study has shown that in microorganisms jumping genes can be transferred to other species via their circular RNA,”

(Excerpt) Read more at scitechdaily.com ...


TOPICS: Science
KEYWORDS: circularrna; introns; jumpinggenes; microbiology; mutations; retrotransposon; ribozyme; tumors

Click here: to donate by Credit Card

Or here: to donate by PayPal

Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794

Thank you very much and God bless you.


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-25 next last

1 posted on 07/12/2026 10:57:18 AM PDT by BenLurkin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

“Jumping Gene!” That sounds like some Wrassler famous for jumping down off the cables that surround a ring.
Jumping down and attacking his opponents.


2 posted on 07/12/2026 11:00:43 AM PDT by lee martell
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lee martell
Most folks know it by its common name: a virus.

3 posted on 07/12/2026 11:04:45 AM PDT by Governor Dinwiddie ( O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious, and his mercy endures forever. — Psalm 106)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: lee martell

“small RNA molecules...insert themselves into other parts of the genome”

“That sounds like” a certain popular conspiracy ‘theory’ on FR.


4 posted on 07/12/2026 11:04:58 AM PDT by Brian Griffin
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: lee martell
Of course there was "Jumpin' Jim Jeffords" the Green Mountain Nancy Boi.

5 posted on 07/12/2026 11:06:51 AM PDT by Governor Dinwiddie ( O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is gracious, and his mercy endures forever. — Psalm 106)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

Rna, did the “ shot “ have some of those rings, opps, I mean the “ shot “ DID Not !!!!!! have any.
Just wondering.


6 posted on 07/12/2026 11:07:35 AM PDT by saturn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: lee martell

Mean GENE from the Gong Show comes to mind!


7 posted on 07/12/2026 11:11:11 AM PDT by mythenjoseph (Islam is not compatible within a free society.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

Mexican Jumping Gene?


8 posted on 07/12/2026 11:11:56 AM PDT by GingisK
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin
I once observed a jumping gene. It was fascinating! Oh, wait. It was a jumping bean.
Never mind.


9 posted on 07/12/2026 11:12:02 AM PDT by Leaning Right
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: saturn

Rumor has it that the MRNA Covid shot was able to shed for a time.


10 posted on 07/12/2026 11:12:08 AM PDT by mythenjoseph (Islam is not compatible within a free society.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 6 | View Replies]

To: lee martell

Whereas Jumping Jean is both a verb and a proper noun. (Not really “proper”)


11 posted on 07/12/2026 11:13:30 AM PDT by Sirius Lee ("Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Brian Griffin

Look up “retrotansposon” for more information on RNA’s behaviours in the cytoplasm of a cell.


12 posted on 07/12/2026 11:34:44 AM PDT by Getready (Wisdom is more valuable than gold and harder to find.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: Getready

Bad spelling...”retrotransposon” is correct.


13 posted on 07/12/2026 11:36:29 AM PDT by Getready (Wisdom is more valuable than gold and harder to find.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: mythenjoseph

Gene Gene the dancin’ machine...


14 posted on 07/12/2026 11:39:43 AM PDT by HombreSecreto (The life of a repo man is always intense)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: mythenjoseph
Mean Gene the Dancing Machine!


15 posted on 07/12/2026 11:42:25 AM PDT by Dr. Sivana ("Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye." (John 2:5))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Brian Griffin

That’s what I was thinking. Funny, we were told that no way could there be any such impact from a “certain vaccine.”


16 posted on 07/12/2026 11:47:09 AM PDT by Skwor
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

Horizontal gene transfer is fascinating.


17 posted on 07/12/2026 12:23:33 PM PDT by 31R1O (The people who can control themselves ought to be able to defend themselves from those who can't.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

I used to know a girl like that


18 posted on 07/12/2026 12:26:57 PM PDT by know.your.why
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Governor Dinwiddie

Exactly.


19 posted on 07/12/2026 1:11:55 PM PDT by No name given ( Anonymous is who you’ll know me as )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: BenLurkin

The Internet is loaded with videos of the results. Yogi knows.


20 posted on 07/12/2026 1:13:46 PM PDT by Wilderness Conservative (Death to the DEATH TO AMERICA, Democrats.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-25 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson