Genetic trait octopuses and humans share could boost brainpower: Octopus venom could help fight melanoma, study finds
Source: 9News, November 2022
Octopuses share a genetic trait with humans that could account for their complex brains and intelligent behaviour, a new study has found.
The research, appearing in Science Advances, found octopuses had elevated micro-RNA levels – similar to those found in “complex" vertebrates, including Homo sapiens.
Micro-RNA helps with genetic development, enabling the evolution or production of genes that can be more specifically tailored, and thus more geared towards complexity.
