Researchers at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine have made a groundbreaking discovery by injecting a 40,000-year-old Neanderthal gene into mice, revealing profound changes in their skeletal structure. The study, published in the journal BioRxiv, used CRISPR technology to insert a single gene variant from the GLI3 gene into laboratory mice.
The experiment aimed to understand how ancient genetic variants contributed to skeletal differences between early humans and modern Homo sapiens. Scientists inserted a mutation called R1537C, found in Neanderthals and Denisovans, which influences bone and organ development during embryonic growth. The results showed that the genetically modified mice developed physical features reminiscent of Neanderthal anatomy.
The mice exhibited broader crania, scoliosis-like spinal curvature, and rib abnormalities, mirroring skeletal traits associated with Neanderthal remains. This study provides one of the clearest demonstrations of how specific ancient genes can influence skeletal morphology, shedding light on biological differences between early human species and modern humans.
Interestingly, the R1537C mutation is not confined to ancient history; it still exists in small portions of the modern human population, particularly among non-African groups. This discovery implies that certain Neanderthal traits may still be shaping human biology today. The study highlights how genetic remnants of these ancient hominins continue to persist in modern genomes and may influence traits such as bone development or susceptibility to specific conditions.
The researchers are exploring how this ancient gene variant interacts with the broader genetic background of modern humans, suggesting that Neanderthals might have experienced relaxed constraints in their developmental processes. This finding could explain why some Neanderthal traits are still visible in present-day human populations.
Source: https://dailygalaxy.com/2025/07/scientists-injected-40000-year-old-human-dna-into-mice-what-emerged-has-left-everyone-speechless