The team identified 355 genes that trace to the last ancestor by phylogenetic criteria.
The idea of how LUCA could be found came when a researcher from Martin’s group was giving her 20-minute summary of a Masters thesis in bioinformatics.
“That genomes have retained traces of life’s earliest history is an exciting prospect. Even more exciting is the prospect that we can decipher some of that history,” said Martin.
Great reporting. Other news stories/reporters covering the original article could not even get the three kingdoms correct. Sheesh ☺