1/5 Can random sequences encode meaningful functions and allow de novo gene birth? To explore this, Michael Laub and I screened 100 million random genes, without sequence similarity to natural genes, for their ability to rescue growth arrest of E. coli cells producing the ribonuclease toxin MazF.

Fascinating paper on making new genes from random sequences! Idan Frumkin & Michael Laub. Selection of a de novo gene that can promote survival of Escherichia coli by modulating protein homeostasis pathways. doi.org/10.1038/s415... #Microsky #Genetics #Evolution #Microbiology

Selection of a de novo gene that can promote survival of Escherichia coli by modulating protein home...

Screening 100 million random genes, which lack homology to natural sequences, for their ability to rescue growth arrest of Escherichia coli cells caused by the toxin MazF, the authors find ~2,000 hi...

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