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Study Reveals 10.7 Million Unique Orphan Genes in Bacteria

10/18/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Orphan genes are DNA sequences unique to a species and are more common than thought.
A survey of over 80,000 bacterial species identified 10.7 million taxonomically restricted proteins.
Similar findings arise in plants and animals, and ORFanID (a web-based search engine) was developed to identify these genes.
Some evolutionists claim these genes are functionless or from horizontal transfer, yet evidence suggests significant roles.

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Story summary

Orphan genes are DNA sequences unique to a species and are more common than thought.
A survey of over 80,000 bacterial species identified 10.7 million taxonomically restricted proteins.
Similar findings arise in plants and animals, and ORFanID (a web-based search engine) was developed to identify these genes.
Some evolutionists claim these genes are functionless or from horizontal transfer, yet evidence suggests significant roles.