Researchers Uncover Clues on Human and Mouse Genome Overlap and Ultra-Conserved Elements

Researchers Uncover Clues on Human and Mouse Genome Overlap and Ultra-Conserved Elements

A recent study explores the striking genomic similarities between humans and mice, despite diverging from a common ancestor approximately 80 million years ago. Researchers have focused on understanding why certain regions of their genomes, termed ultra-conserved elements (UCEs), remain nearly unchanged over millions of years of evolution. Human-Mouse Genome Similarity    - Humans and mice share around 85-90% of their genomes, a testament to their shared evolutionary history. These overlaps are particularly evident in genes governing basic cellular functions, development, and disease pathways.      - The divergence 80 million years ago led to distinct species, but critical genetic regions have remained conserved due to their biological importance. Ultra-Conserved Elements (UCEs)    - UCEs are genomic sequences that are 100% identical across distantly related species, including humans and mice. These regions have resisted mutations for millions of years, suggesting they are under strong puri…