A solution to Darwin's 'mystery of the mysteries' emerges from the dark matter of the genome
Tuesday, October 27, 2009 - 13:14
in Biology & Nature
Biological species are often defined on the basis of reproductive isolation. Ever since Darwin pointed out his difficulty in explaining why crosses between two species often yield sterile or inviable progeny (for instance, mules emerging from a cross between a horse and a donkey), biologists have struggled with this question. New research into this field by basic scientists at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Centre, published online Oct. 22 in Science Express, suggests that the solution to this problem lies within the 'dark matter of the genome": heterochromatin, a tightly packed, gene-poor compartment of DNA found within the genomes of all nucleated cells...
