A research team led by the University of Texas at Austin has made significant strides in understanding the genetic underpinnings of rare diseases by mapping proteins from the Last Eukaryotic Common Ancestor (LECA), an organism that existed 1.5 to 1.8 billion years ago. Their study, published in Cell Genomics, revealed genes previously unknown to be associated with disorders such as osteopetrosis, end-stage kidney disease, and short-rib thoracic dysplasia. By analyzing protein networks, known as the protein interactome, the researchers found that about half of human genes can be traced back to LECA, emphasizing the deep evolutionary connections among species. The team utilized advanced computing resources at the Texas Advanced Computing Center to conduct over 25,000 biochemical experiments, leading to the identification of hundreds of additional genes that may be linked to human diseases. This research not only enhances the understanding of genetic diseases but also highlights the evolutionary significance of molecular machines across diverse organisms.