Latest news with #AdamJozwiak
News18
07-07-2025
- Science
- News18
Reverse Evolution? Wild Galápagos Tomatoes Bring Ancient DNA To Life
Last Updated: Scientists find Galápagos wild tomatoes naturally reactivating ancient genes—offering insights into evolution, survival, and future biotech breakthroughs In a groundbreaking discovery that has stunned biologists, wild tomatoes growing on the rocky terrain of the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador, have been found to naturally activate ancient genes, a process once thought to be nearly impossible in real-time evolution. Two species, Solanum cheesmaniae and Solanum galapagense, are showing unexpected genetic reversals, suggesting that nature may be capable of 'reverse evolution'. The remarkable find comes from a team of researchers at UC Riverside and Israel 's Weizmann Institute of Science, and the study is now published in Nature Communications. What's Happening In Galápagos? The scientists collected 56 wild tomato samples from both the eastern and western regions of the Galápagos archipelago. What they uncovered was astonishing: Tomatoes on the eastern islands had modern crop-like alkaloids — naturally occurring chemicals often found in today's farm-grown varieties. Tomatoes on the western, younger, and harsher islands contained primitive alkaloids — chemicals similar to those in ancient relatives like wild eggplants (brinjal). The culprit? A tiny enzyme change. Just a few amino acid modifications in one key enzyme were enough to switch the tomatoes' genetic programming back by millions of years. A Case Of Genetic Atavism This rare genetic phenomenon is known as Genetic Atavism — where long-dormant genes are reawakened. In lab experiments, scientists have reactivated similar traits in animals (such as growing teeth in chickens), but this is one of the first known cases of a naturally occurring, population-wide genetic reversal in plants. Environmental pressures, particularly the barren, nutrient-scarce conditions on the western islands, are believed to have triggered this ancient defensive mechanism in the tomatoes, causing their genes to flip into survival mode. Why It Matters: Evolution And Biotechnology The implications go far beyond botany. This discovery offers a rare real-world view of evolution unfolding in reverse, and it has huge potential for biotechnology, agriculture, and medicine. Dr Adam Jozwiak, one of the lead researchers, notes: 'By changing just a few amino acids, a completely different chemical can be produced. This opens the door to creating pest-resistant crops, less toxic fruits, or even new medicines." Understanding how nature rewires its own genetic code could allow scientists to intentionally mimic these changes; leading to breakthroughs in crop design, pharmaceutical compounds, and sustainable agriculture. A Natural Wonder With Global Impact While these tomatoes may seem like a quirky island curiosity, they could be the key to unlocking ancient genetic blueprints that modern science is only beginning to understand. The Galápagos, famously known as Darwin's natural laboratory, continues to challenge what we think we know about life's adaptability. This isn't just a story of tomatoes, it's a reminder that evolution doesn't always move forward. Sometimes, nature takes a step back to survive the future. First Published:
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Tomatoes in The Galapagos Islands Appear to Be Evolving in Reverse
The idea of evolution backtracking isn't a completely new idea, but catching it in action isn't an everyday experience. A newly documented example of wild growing tomatoes on the black rocks of the Galapagos Islands gives researchers a prime example of a species adapting by rolling back genetic changes put in place over several million years. Researchers from the University of California, Riverside (UC Riverside) and the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel say it's evidence that species can wind back changes that have happened through evolution. Related: "It's not something we usually expect," says molecular biochemist Adam Jozwiak, from UC Riverside. "But here it is, happening in real time, on a volcanic island." Through an analysis of 56 tomato samples taken from the Galapagos, covering both the Solanum cheesmaniae and Solanum galapagense species, the team looked at the production of alkaloids in the plants: toxic chemicals intended to put off predators. In the case of the S. cheesmaniae tomatoes, different alkaloids were found in different parts of the islands. On the eastern islands, the plants come with alkaloids in a form comparable to those in the cultivated fruit from the rest of the world; but to the west, an older, more ancestral form of the chemicals were found. This older version of the alkaloid matches the one found in eggplant relatives of the tomato stretching back millions of years. Through further lab tests and modeling, the researchers identified a particular enzyme as being responsible for this alkaloid production and confirmed its ancient roots. A change in just a few amino acids was enough to flip the switch on the alkaloid production, the researchers determined. There are other isolated examples of evolutionary backflips known scientifically as genetic atavisms, where a mutation causes a species to revert to expressing an ancestral trait. These include experiments on chickens that have been genetically tweaked to revive their ancient programming for growing teeth. The difference in this case is a critical change has propagated through entire populations. In some plants, multiple genes have reverted, suggesting strong selection pressures are involved. What makes it an even more interesting shift is that the western parts of the Galapagos islands are younger – less than half a million years old – and more barren. It seems environmental pressures may have driven these steps back into evolutionary history. Besides being a fascinating example of how evolution turns around on itself, the research also opens up possibilities for advanced genetic engineering that works with even greater control, altering plant chemistry for multiple benefits. "If you change just a few amino acids, you can get a completely different molecule," says Jozwiak. "That knowledge could help us engineer new medicines, design better pest resistance, or even make less toxic produce." "But first, we have to understand how nature does it. This study is one step toward that." The research has been published in Nature Communications. Earth Became a Hothouse 250 Million Years Ago, And We Finally Know Why Scientists Find Most Cats Sleep on Their Left Side – This Could Be Why Orcas Caught 'Kissing' For Two Minutes With Tongue
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
These plants might actually be de-evolving
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, BGR may receive an affiliate commission. We know that the world and its various inhabitants, from plants to animals, are still evolving. In fact, some even believe that humans are actively evolving in different parts of the world right now. But a group of plants found in the Galápagos archipelago might be doing the opposite and de-evolving. Researchers argue that despite how controversial it might sound, tomatoes in the Galápagos actually seem to be going backwards, not forwards. De-evolution, or reverse evolution, is a bit of a controversy among evolutionists, and for good reason. Evolution isn't really meant to have a rewind button. Some organisms might re-acquire old traits that were once lost, but they usually do so through new genetic pathways. But these tomato plants appear to be doing something unexpected. Today's Top Deals Best deals: Tech, laptops, TVs, and more sales Best Ring Video Doorbell deals Memorial Day security camera deals: Reolink's unbeatable sale has prices from $29.98 'It's not something we usually expect,' Adam Jozwiak, a molecular biochemist at UC Riverside and lead author of the study, shared in a statement. 'But here it is, happening in real time, on a volcanic island.' The primary reason that the researchers believe these plants are de-evolving is because they appear to be reverting to a more primitive genetic state, complete with an ancient type of chemical defense. One of the key changes seen is alkaloids, a type of bitter molecule that usually acts as a built-in pesticide. These chemicals help to deter predators like insects, fungi, and even grazing animals. Modern tomatoes and other plants all make use of alkaloids. But it's not the presence of alkaloids that attracted scientists to these plants. Instead, it's the fact that the tomatoes appear to be making the wrong alkaloids. Instead of creating the alkaloids that the researchers expected to see in a tomato, the de-evolving plants are churning out a version of alkaloids that have the same molecular fingerprint as eggplant relatives from millions of years ago. What's even more impressive is that this isn't all the of the tomatoes found in the Galápagos. Instead, the plants that grow on the eastern islands appear to have the same molecular structure as modern tomatoes found elsewhere. However, those found on the western islands produce alkaloids that look more fitting for an ancient plant, suggesting they have de-evolved in some way. This discovery pushed the researchers deeper, as they started looking for clues as to how this de-evolution had taken place. They discovered that it only took changes to four amino acids in a single enzyme to lead to the change seen in these plants. They further proved this discovery by synthesizing the same genes coding the new enzymes in the lab and then inserting them into tobacco plants, where they promptly began producing the old alkaloids. Their findings are published in Nature Communications. The researchers believe that the cause of the de-evolution may come down to the harsher environment found on the western islands. The western section of the Galápagos is younger and less stable. The landscape is far more barren, and the soil is less developed. This could have pushed the plants to adopt the older chemistry setup. Of course, the researchers are aware of just how controversial their claims might be in some circles. 'Some people don't believe in this,' Jozwiak stated. 'But the genetic and chemical evidence points to a return to an ancestral state. The mechanism is there. It happened.' Further, the researchers believe that this same mechanism could possibly affect humans, too. Over time, changes to our environment might push the human body to pick up past traits that we evolved away from long ago. Yes, it's controversial, but the possibility that evolution is not a one-way street could fundamentally challenge everything we thought we knew about it. It could also completely change how we view the history of evolution and provide more insight into our own ancient history as a result. That's one of the most beautiful things about science, though. Scientists are always challenging their assumptions. And while the idea of de-evolution might sound absurd, the fact remains that these tomato plants in the Galápagos are a perfect example of how new developments can often challenge long-standing beliefs. More Top Deals Amazon gift card deals, offers & coupons 2025: Get $2,000+ free See the
Newsweek
25-06-2025
- Science
- Newsweek
One Fruit May Be Evolving in Reverse
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Wild tomatoes on the Galápagos Islands are rewinding millions of years of evolution, according to a new study. Scientists at the University of California, Riverside found that these tomatoes—descended from South American ancestors likely brought to the Pacific archipelago by birds—are producing a toxic molecular cocktail not seen in millions of years. Biologists described this as a rare and striking case of "reverse evolution." Adam Jozwiak, a molecular biochemist at UC Riverside and lead author of the study, told Newsweek that while "de-evolution" makes for a striking headline, what we're really seeing is evolution taking an unexpected turn, reverting to a state that existed millions of years ago. Could something similar happen in humans? Jozwiak said in theory, yes. A bunch of wild tomatoes growing on a plant. A bunch of wild tomatoes growing on a plant. Irina Khabarova "Humans, like all organisms, are subject to evolutionary forces," Jozwiak explained. "If environmental conditions shifted dramatically over long timescales, it's possible that traits from our distant past could re-emerge, but whether that ever happens is highly uncertain. It's speculative and would take millions of years, if at all." The key players in this evolutionary reversal are alkaloids—chemicals that serve as built-in deterrents against pests. Most cultivated tomatoes produce one type of alkaloid structure, but these Galápagos tomatoes have shifted toward an older chemical form—an evolutionary echo from their distant past and similar to compounds found in eggplant. Researchers pinpointed a single enzyme, known as GAME8, that plays a central role in forming these chemicals. Normally, GAME8 adds a chemical group in a specific three-dimensional shape ('right-handed' or 'left-handed'). Mutations in GAME8 among western island tomatoes altered just a few building blocks (amino acids), flipping the shape back to the ancestral form. The research team confirmed this by inserting the modified enzyme into tobacco plants, which then produced the ancient-style alkaloid. The chemical shift is not random. Eastern islands, which are older and more ecologically diverse, host tomatoes making modern alkaloids. In contrast, the harsher environments on younger, western islands seem to favor the ancestral, eggplant-like chemicals. Researchers believe the older alkaloids may offer better defense under these tougher conditions. Jozwiak told Newsweek that the tomato species studied were wild relatives located in the Galápagos and not included in the human diet, which means there are no direct health implications for humans. "If similar changes occurred in cultivated tomatoes, it might affect how these toxins interact with our digestive system or gut microbiome, but that's purely hypothetical," he said. "For now, this discovery is important for what it tells us about evolution, not for any immediate impact on human health." Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about evolution? Let us know via science@ Reference Jozwiak, A., Almaria, M., Cai, J., Panda, S., Price, H., Vunsh, R., Pliner, M., Meir, S., Rogachev, I., & Aharoni, A. (2025). Enzymatic twists evolved stereo-divergent alkaloids in the Solanaceae family. Nature Communications, 16(1), 5341.
