A closer look at “3D Genome Entanglement May Explain How Octopus, Squid and Cuttlefish Evolved Complex Brain”, exactly as the source publishes it. Octopuses, squid and cuttlefish—known as coleoid cephalopods—possess some of the most sophisticated nervous systems among invertebrates, capable of problem-solving, tool use and instant camouflage. A new study from the University of Vienna suggests that the secret to this neural complexity may lie not only in their genes but in how their genomes fold in three dimensions. Researchers found that the DNA of these animals is organized into unusual looped structures that bring distant regulatory regions into contact with genes involved in brain development.
This 'entanglement' may have enabled the rapid evolution of large brains and complex behaviors. The findings offer a fresh perspective on how genome architecture can drive evolutionary innovation, with potential implications for understanding human brain evolution. This listing links straight to the original page, where the content is available in full.