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Published online 5 February 2007 | Nature | doi:10.1038/news070205-3

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Putting the brakes on evolution

Layered information holds back protein evolution.

Think your genes have evolved to make the perfect proteins for your body? Think again. Researchers have found that a secondary function of some pieces of DNA has held this evolution in check, slowing the associated genes' progress in becoming 'ideal' protein machines.

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