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Laurence D. Hurst on Muck Rack

Laurence D. Hurst

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Articles

Why do we have so many different transcripts?

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By Laurence D. Hurst
| PLOS Biology Verified
Look at human RNA sequencing data and you will find that most protein-coding genes have transcripts that, compared to the most abundant transcript, use alternative polyadenylation sites, alternative transcription initiation sites, and are alternatively spliced. Indeed, for our multi-exon genes, an absence of an alternative splice form is the rare exception. Why does such diversity exist? Perhaps, as ENCODE suppose [1], every genomic activity has a function?
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Bacterial gene 5′ ends have unusual mutation rates that can mislead tests of selection

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By Sofia Radrizzani, Juan Rivas-Santisteban, Namshik Han, Laurence D. Hurst
| PLOS Biology Verified
Loading metrics Open Access Peer-reviewed Research Article ? This is an uncorrected proof. Citation: Radrizzani S, Rivas-Santisteban J, Han N, Hurst LD (2025) Bacterial gene 5′ ends have unusual mutation rates that can mislead tests of selection. PLoS Biol 23(12): e3003569.
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How did humans evolve such rotten genetics?

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By Laurence D. Hurst, Gaby Clark Verified, Andrew Zinin Verified
| Phys.org Verified
To Shakespeare's Hamlet, we humans are "the paragon of animals." But recent advances in genetics are suggesting that humans are far from being evolution's greatest achievement. For example, humans have an exceptionally high proportion of fertilized eggs that have the wrong number of chromosomes and one of the highest rates of harmful genetic mutation. In my new book, "The Evolution of Imperfection," I suggest that two features of our biology explain why our genetics are in such a poor state.
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