A Quebec-based study of 1000 people has found that even those with similar genes can have big variations in how those genes are expressed.
The study looked at mitochondria, components of the cell that have their own DNA. The researchers found that when this DNA is transcribed to RNA, there was a lot of variation and mutation between genetically similar people, and even within an individual.
Mutations in mitochondrial RNA are linked to degenerative diseases and cancers, so this study offers insight into how genetics influence health.
Original research paper published in the journal Science on April 24, 2014.
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