Scientists discover ancient single-celled ancestors still live on in your blood
Scientists have discovered that human blood cells may trace their origins back to single-celled ancestors that lived 700 million years ago. By analyzing gene expression patterns, researchers built evolutionary family trees for blood cell lineages, revealing how modern immune cells evolved. This study highlights the connection between contemporary blood cells and ancient life forms, suggesting that the differentiation pathways of these cells reflect a long evolutionary history.
- ▪Researchers at Kyoto University found that key immune cells likely evolved from single-celled ancestors over 700 million years ago.
- ▪The study revealed that macrophages, a type of immune cell, show the strongest similarities to unicellular organisms.
- ▪The findings suggest that the first blood cells emerged around the same time multicellular animals first appeared on Earth.
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Science News from research organizations Scientists discover ancient single-celled ancestors still live on in your blood Your blood may be carrying a 700-million-year-old evolutionary secret from Earth’s first single-celled ancestors. Date: May 27, 2026 Source: Kyoto University Summary: Scientists uncovered evidence that human blood cells may trace their origins back to single-celled ancestors that lived 700 million years ago. By rebuilding the evolutionary family tree of blood cells, the team revealed how today’s immune system grew from some of Earth’s earliest life forms.
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