Horizontal Transfer of Transposons challenges Evolution and Common Ancestry


"In a world dominated by HGT, gene duplication, gene loss, and such momentous events as endosymbiosis, the idea of evolution being driven primarily by infinitesimal heritable changes in the Darwinian tradition has become untenable.' EV KOONIN, cited by over 260,000


The scientific article "Horizontal Transfer of Transposons as Genomic Fossils of Host-Parasite Interactions" by Alexander Suh explores the concept of using transposons, mobile genetic elements, as a record of past interactions between parasites and their hosts. Unlike traditional fossils, which may not exist for microscopic organisms like parasites, transposons leave a genetic footprint within the host's genome. This article delves into the potential of these "genomic fossils" to shed light on the evolutionary history of host-parasite relationships.

The article explores the process of horizontal gene transfer, where genetic material is exchanged between organisms other than by parent-offspring inheritance. This phenomenon can occur between parasites and hosts, with transposons particularly adept at this due to their mobility within genomes. 


Suh argues that analyzing these transferred transposons can provide valuable insights into past host-parasite interactions.

The article highlights the advantages of using transposons as genomic fossils. Unlike traditional fossils, transposons are readily preserved within host genomes, offering a more comprehensive record of past encounters. Additionally, transposons can reveal the timing of interactions, as the age of the transposon insertion can be estimated.

Suh discusses the challenges associated with using transposons for this purpose. Distinguishing between transposons acquired through horizontal transfer and those originating from within the host lineage can be difficult. Additionally, the functionality of the transferred transposons may vary, making it challenging to determine their impact on the host.

Despite these challenges, the article concludes that horizontal transfer of transposons holds significant promise for understanding host-parasite interactions. By analyzing these genomic fossils, scientists can gain insights into the evolutionary history of these relationships, potentially leading to a better understanding of parasite virulence and host defense mechanisms.

Suh's article presents a novel approach to studying host-parasite interactions using transposons as genomic fossils. While challenges exist, this method offers a unique window into past encounters, potentially revolutionizing our understanding of parasite evolution and host adaptation.


The article  by Alexander Suh explores the idea that transposons, mobile segments of DNA, can be transferred between organisms. This process, known as horizontal gene transfer (HGT), challenges the traditional view of common ancestry, which suggests all organisms share a single origin.

Suh proposes that transposons can leave a genetic imprint on host organisms, acting as "genomic fossils" of past parasitic interactions. By studying these transposons, scientists can potentially reconstruct evolutionary relationships between species that may not be evident from traditional genetic analysis.

This challenges the common ancestry view because it suggests that genetic material can be exchanged between distantly related organisms. This exchange can blur the lines of evolutionary descent and complicate our understanding of how species diverged over time.

In essence, Suh's work highlights the possibility of genetic exchange beyond the vertical inheritance from parent to offspring. This challenges the simplistic branching tree model of evolution and suggests a more complex web of interactions between organisms.


The article challenges the Modern Synthesis, the dominant theory in evolutionary biology, by suggesting a mechanism for genetic exchange beyond vertical inheritance (parent to offspring).

Traditionally, the Modern Synthesis focused on vertical inheritance and natural selection as the key drivers of evolution. However, the horizontal transfer of transposons between species, potentially facilitated by close host-parasite relationships, introduces a new layer of complexity. This genetic exchange could influence the evolution of both host and parasite, adding a dimension to our understanding of adaptation and diversification.

By analyzing transposons as "genomic fossils" recording past interactions, researchers can potentially reconstruct evolutionary histories and identify instances of horizontal gene transfer that may not be evident from studying genes alone. This opens up new avenues for exploring co-evolution between parasite and host species.




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