Study challenges evolutionary theory that DNA mutations are random: Findings could lead to advances in plant breeding, human genetics - Science Daily

A simple roadside weed may hold the key to understanding and predicting DNA mutation, according to new research from University of California, Davis, and the Max Planck Institute for Developmental Biology in Germany.

"We always thought of mutation as basically random across the genome," said Grey Monroe, an assistant professor in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences who is lead author on the paper.

"At first glance, what we found seemed to contradict established theory that initial mutations are entirely random and that only natural selection determines which mutations are observed in organisms," said Detlef Weigel, scientific director at Max Planck Institute and senior author on the study.

"These are the really important regions of the genome," Monroe said.

"It means we can predict which genes are more likely to mutate than others and it gives us a good idea of what's going on," Weigel said.

The findings add a surprising twist to Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection because it reveals that the plant has evolved to protect its genes from mutation to ensure survival.

"The plant has evolved a way to protect its most important places from mutation," Weigel said.

"This is exciting because we could even use these discoveries to think about how to protect human genes from mutation.".

Materials provided by University of California - Davis?