XPost: alt.science, alt.politics, alt.fan.rush-limbaugh
https://greekreporter.com/2025/05/15/mice-bigger-brains-human-dna/
A small piece of human DNA inserted into mice has led to
a surprising result: they grow bigger brains. The discovery,
published Wednesday in Nature, could help scientists better
understand how the human brain grew over time.
Researchers focused on a section of human DNA called HARE5,
which helps regulate brain cell growth. When they replaced
the mouse version of this DNA with the human version, the
animals developed brains that were, on average, 6.5% larger
than those of unaltered mice.
The human version of HARE5 appeared to work most actively
in early brain cells known as radial glia, cells that later
become neurons and other brain tissues. With the genetic
change, these stem cells multiplied more quickly and
produced more neurons, increasing the size of the brain’s
outer layer.
. . .
They also tried the chimp version of the gene, but
it was not as effective.
The article does NOT mention if the resultant mice
seemed smarter or not.
There seem to be several genes - or repeat sequences
thereof - that affect brain size/complexity. If it
is not TOO many then yes, we could make much smarter
mice - or chimps. Um, chimps are too violent, use
bonobos instead ....
Now ... can smart apes be trained to assemble
iPhones ? :-)
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