mGem: Bacterial aversion to making new genes.

De novo gene creation in Escherichia coli is short-lived and contributes minimally to conserved gene sets, indicating limited ongoing gene innovation.

• Why it matters: Understanding whether bacteria continually generate new functional genes is crucial for grasping genome evolution and adaptive potential, yet the longevity of such genes remains unclear.
• What they did: The study analyzed the expansive pangenome of E. coli and found that de novo genes are short-lived and have made virtually no contribution to the conserved gene repertoire.
• The result: This suggests that most truly novel genes were created in deep evolutionary past, implying that recent gene invention plays a minor role in current bacterial genomes and adaptation.