MANY GENES AGO

For as long as we can remember, time travel has always been a thing of machines. The transtemporal nature of time machines in particular has been studied for its role in exploring the duality of time. Science has probed the possibility of time reversal with the help of general relativity. Thanks to Einstein, who made it possible for us to go back in time. But what about GENES? Do they have a playback button? Do they ever think, "Nay, let's start from scratch!"? Maybe. Maybe not. 

DE-EVOLUTION (A case of genetic nostalgia)

The idea that mutations could be reversed and genes could travel back in time was born in the 19th century, when paleontologists Hyatt and Eigenmann advocated that genes could evolve backwards in time to assume more primitive architecture and machinery. In 1893, zoologist Willhelm Haacke coined the term "orthogenesis" which believes that genes are driven to obtain a specific level of biological complexity. This directional progress of one's genetic makeup was further propagated by modern-day sceintists like E.O Wilson and Simon Conway Morris. In other words, orthogenesis gave evolution a direction (quite literally). Evolution has been interpretted as progress in a unified direction and not much was thought or assumed of the converse because all organisms love to believe that they're at the top of creation (let's admit it).

DE-NOVO GENES (The Gen-Z of genes)

In order to better understand why genes visit their pasts, it is important to understand the evolutionary origin of genes. Most genes arise from existing genes which duplicate to produce new genes. Coding regions of RNA transcripts, also known as exons, are shuffled to give rise to functionally different genes. Phylogenetic data suggests that most organisms acquire new genes by lateral and horizontal gene transfer or gene fusion and fission. However, almost one-tenth of genes in the human body are synthesized by de novo gene origination. De novo genes or orphan genes are either protein-coding genes or non-coding genes that do not have any recognizable homologoues in other known species. These genes are known to evolve from non-genic DNA sequences that are part of the non-coding genome, or the introns. The existence of de novo genes contradicts the evolutionary theory because it challenges the conventional method by which genes stem from the duplication of pre-existing genes.

REVERSION (Mutations on a roll)

Reverse mutations or back mutations occur when genes retreat to their normal or wild nature from their aberrant states. Restoration of amino acid sequences that were originally mutated in such genes can help re-establish normal functions as a result of a back mutation. Second-site changes in an altered amino acid sequence can revert a mutation and restore wild-type functions. COLI7A1 mutations that lead to the appearance of patches on one's skin, has been clinically proven to have been cured naturally by spontaneous revertant mutations. A genetically altered stop codon in a tRNA molecule can be reversed  by the insertion of an amino acid in the anticodon region of the nucleic acid molecule. These mutations are also known as pseudo-reversions that have a compensating effect on the same gene. Hypothetically if such mutations can be regressed as a function of time, it could be safe to assume that genes have the ability to reverse their engines afterall. 

A CASE STUDY: THE UNER TAN SYNDROME

The Uner Tan Syndrome is a rare case of de-evolution in humans, in which a disruption in locomotor development causes quadripedality, or the ability to walk on all four extremities. This syndrome is characterized by the absence of certain inferior regions of the cerebellum and vermis that show decreased glucose metabolic activity. Incoherency and impaired memory are also attributes of this condition. The heterogenous genetic and vestibular defects are a result of certain mutations in the very low density lipoprotein receptor (VLDR) genes. Additionally, rudimentary speech and late childhood onset are also typical of people diagnosed with this condition. In this context, quadripedalism has been evaluated and thought of as a phenotype of underlying de-evolution. Such case studies often prove to be useful tools to study the initiation and tarnsmission of evolution. 

IN RETROSPECTION

When we connect the dots it becomes easy to see the enormous scope and extent of time-travel within the genome. Time is as opinionated as humanity, and everything about it becomes a myth if we begin reconsidering it's direction. Genes are a figment of this time loop that are constantly evolving. Whether evolution is progress or regress is something we will never know, but that being said we cannot completely eliminate the possibility of genes de-evolving. Today genetics isn't just confined to an organism's body. Science has enabled us to create and modify genes in alternate conditions in-vitro that have wide applications. Our genes are in and around us in many dimensions and orientations. As we sit, breathe, and sleep in this present moment, our genes create future and history all at once in gene-drop- silence.