Scientists Catch a “Jumping Gene” Moving Between Species

scitechdaily ^ | July 11, 2026 | Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology

[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,”

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TOPICS: Science
KEYWORDS: ancientautopsies; circularrna; gmo; godsgravesglyphs; helixmakemineadouble; introns; jumpinggenes; microbiology; mutations; retrotransposon; ribozyme; tumors

[Scrambler Bob]

Jumping Jeans would be Wranglers.

[lee martell]

How ‘fitting’!

[ConservaTexan]

It won’t be long until science invents an RNA shot that can be used to alter the DNA of everyone that takes...never mind.

[gnarledmaw]

In this corner, from White Bear Lake Minnesota weighing in at two hundred thirty five pounds, one half of the worlds champion tag team High Flyers, Jumping! Jimmy! BRUNZELLLLLL!

[central_va]

White men dont have the jumping gene.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks!