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Ancient Neanderthal Gene Transforms Mice, Reveals Human Links

7/14/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Japanese geneticists at Kyoto Prefectural University have made a groundbreaking discovery by injecting a 40,000-year-old Neanderthal gene, GLI3, into mice. This experiment led to striking skeletal changes that echo Neanderthal features. Published in BioRxiv, the study uncovers that this ancient gene variant lingers in modern humans, especially among non-Africans, highlighting our deep genetic connections to the past.

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Story summary

Japanese geneticists at Kyoto Prefectural University have made a groundbreaking discovery by injecting a 40,000-year-old Neanderthal gene, GLI3, into mice. This experiment led to striking skeletal changes that echo Neanderthal features. Published in BioRxiv, the study uncovers that this ancient gene variant lingers in modern humans, especially among non-Africans, highlighting our deep genetic connections to the past.