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INTERVIEW: GENETIC LINK FOUND BETWEEN REPTILE AND HUMAN HEART EVOLUTION - Interview with Benoit Bruneau, Ph.D., Associate Investigator, Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, and Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of California-San Francisco
Scientists at the Gladstone Institute of Cardiovascular Disease have traced the evolution of the four-chambered human heart to a common genetic factor linked to the development of hearts in turtles and other reptiles. The research, published in the September 3 issue of Nature, shows how a specific protein that turns on genes is involved in heart formation in turtles, lizards, and humans. The scientists believe their finding will offer insights into human disease.
During this week's podcast Dr. Benoit Bruneau addresses his team's discovery involving the Tbx5 gene. He discusses where the gene is found in the animal kingdom and what this suggests. He also talks about the importance of Tbx5 in relation to both heart evolution and human disease and why he thinks reptiles occupy a critical point in heart evolution.
In addition, Dr. Bruneau describes the implications of this research for human disorders, particularly congenital heart disease.
9/25/2009
Very interesting post. Keep up the good work! http://www.reptilesamr.com
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