University biology professor Michael Lynch and his research staff recently made a scientific breakthrough, finding evidence that genetic mutations occur more often than originally believed.
Lynch reached these results after three years of studying mitochondrial DNA in 160 generation lines of worms. His research staff found 30 genetic mutations, which Lynch said is significant because it is about 100 times higher than science textbooks generally report. He said his discovery could open doors for future findings in genetic research.
“The most enjoyable part of the research is the big picture,” said Charlie Baer, a University post-doctoral student and member of Lynch’s staff. “I hope we are making contributions that people can build on.”
Because worms have no genetic variation, Lynch said they were ideal for the experiments. The generations were sequenced, and the worms’ DNA was analyzed, showing that several illnesses formed among the them.
Lynch is encouraged by the findings and thinks the number of mutations will be useful in studying human genetic diseases. The possible findings in the worms could reveal an underestimate of what is going on in human mutations, Lynch said.
Because humans have a higher metabolic rate, which causes the production of free radicals, Lynch thinks the genetic mutation rate is higher in humans than previously believed.
But he noted that modern medical technology may also contribute to the genetic mutation rates among humans. Due to new methods of survival, such as planned pregnancies and prescription drugs, people with mutations are living unnaturally long lives and passing along their illnesses.
“Everyone having an equal opportunity to survive could become a human dilemma,” Lynch said.
Suzanne Estes, a University graduate student participating in the research, agreed that medical technology is not always best for the environment.
“Natural selection is being eliminated,” Estes said. “Humans are harming themselves, especially in well-developed countries.”
Estes, whose work in the mutation research included freezing the worms and examining their fitness rates, does not like the fact that today’s medical technology can alter nature. The problem, she said, is that people with affected genes who would not normally be able to reproduce are having children and passing down harmful genetic material.
Because of these medical concerns, another goal of Lynch’s team is to examine how different populations are affected when natural selection is relaxed. Further study would look at whether the same rate of mutation would occur in other species. This research could take several years, but Estes thinks the time is worth the effort.
“It’s exciting to be doing something that will have relevance to conservation biology, and to be learning firsthand how evolution works,” she said.
The research is ongoing. The next phase of examining genetic mutations is focused on the variation and mutation rates among animal species. Baer said he is excited to be participating in this new phase of research, which only began three weeks ago.
“We hope to find out whether mutation rates are specific to individual properties or if there’s variation,” Baer said.
The new experiments are conducted similarly to the previous experiments, but three different species of worms are being used. Results are expected from this research in two years.