The 700-Million-Year History of Our Blood Cells

The 700-million-year history of our blood cells

Almost all animal species—including humans—have blood cells, but between different species our blood tells different stories. The lineage and components of blood cells vary widely, and this variety is a testament to how animals have evolved to protect themselves from infectious diseases.

Tracing 700 Million Years of Blood Cell Evolution

For over 700 million years, the blood coursing through animal bodies—humans included—has carried a profound evolutionary narrative etched into its cellular makeup. Recent research spearheaded by a team at Kyoto University has unveiled a remarkable chronicle of blood cell evolution, tracing their origins back to single-celled ancestors from the dawn of multicellularity. This new study […]