Evolution of novel genes

Much progress in understanding the evolution of new genes has been accompli shed in the past few years. Molecular mechanisms such as illegitimate recom bination and LINE element mediated 3' transduction underlying exon shufflin g, a major process for generating new genes, are better understood. The ide ntification of young genes in invertebrates and vertebrates has revealed a significant role of adaptive evolution acting on initially rudimentary gene structures created as if by evolutionary tinkers. New genes in humans and our primate relatives add a new component to the understanding of genetic d ivergence between humans and non-humans.