Resurrecting the Lost Ancient Proteins

Abstract

Data science techniques can be used for “molecular archeology”. The ancestral gene/protein sequences are statistically deduced from a molecular phylogeny, and they are further used to resurrect the ancient molecules for laboratory experiments to elucidate their properties and structures. In this review, the researches, which applied this method for analyzing deep sea diving re-adaptation of whales or seals via the evolution of myoglobins, are described.