"Rethinking the Randomness of Evolution"

A new study suggests that evolution may not be as random as previously thought, with a genome's evolutionary history potentially influencing its future trajectory. Researchers used a machine learning method to analyze the pangenome of a bacterial species, revealing gene interactions that make evolution somewhat predictable. This could revolutionize approaches in synthetic biology, medicine, and environmental science, aiding in the development of new drugs, vaccines, and strategies to combat antibiotic resistance and climate change. The study's findings are published in PNAS.