These findings add a striking twist to Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution through natural selection, as they show that the plant evolved to protect genes from mutations to ensure its survival.

“The plant has developed a way to protect its vital sites from mutations,” Weigel said. “It’s exciting because these findings could even be used to think about how to protect human genes from mutations.”

Knowing why some regions of the genome are more mutable than others will help growers who rely on genetic variation to develop better varieties. Scientists can use the information to better predict diseases such as cancer caused by mutations or to develop new therapies for them.

“Our findings provide a more complete picture of the forces that lead to patterns of natural variation that should inspire new directions in theoretical and practical research on the role of mutation in evolution,” the study concludes.

In addition to researchers from UC Davis and Max-Planck-Institut, scientists from the Carnegie Institution for Science, Stanford University, Westfield State University, College of Charleston, South Dakota State University, Université de Montpellier and Uppsala University also participated. Research.

Published by International Team Study Nature. This article is based on a press release from the University of California, Davis, and a press release from Max-Planck-Institut für Biologie (formerly Max-Planck-Institut für Entwicklungsbiologie).