Scientists have recently made a remarkable discovery about the genome of a small fern known as Tmesipteris oblanceolata. This unassuming plant has the largest genome of any living organism on Earth, with its DNA stretching out over 300 feet when unwound. The fern, which is only a few inches tall, can be found on the island of New Caledonia in the Southwest Pacific. Its DNA is composed of 160.45 billion base pairs, making it 50 times larger than the human genome.
The findings of this discovery were reported in the journal iScience last week, sparking intrigue among scientists worldwide. The mystery of why and how this fern ended up with such a massive amount of DNA has left researchers puzzled. Ira Flatow discusses this groundbreaking study with Dr. Jaume Pellicer, an evolutionary biologist at the Botanical Institute of Barcelona and co-lead author of the research, shedding light on the significance of this fern’s extraordinary genetic makeup.
The implications of this discovery and the questions it raises about the evolution of T. oblanceolata are sure to captivate the scientific community for years to come. The unique characteristics of this fern’s genome offer a fascinating window into the complexity and diversity of life on Earth. As researchers continue to study and unravel the mysteries of this small but mighty plant, we may gain valuable insights into the fundamental principles of genetics and biology.