J R Soc Interface August 2008 PMID 18426772

How much of protein sequence space has been explored by life on Earth?

David T F Dryden, Andrew R Thomson, John H White

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Mentions

7
Peak: 1 in Jan 2020
across 3 sources since Jan 2020

Extended reach

6,844
potential audience

Total likes

50

Video views

816

Mentions per month

Jan 2020 – Jan 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter3 posts
  • YouTube3 videos
  • News1 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

Discussions express high interest in the concept of sequence space, with comments referencing fundamental facts like the number of amino acids and the size of sequence space, exemplified by responses discussing mutation rates and amino acid diversity. Words like 'possible,' 'vast,' and 'sugge!st' convey intrigue, while some users question the study’s implications, indicating a thoughtful engagement with the material.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions show support for the paper's idea that life's exploration of protein space might be comprehensive, with some skepticism about the number of amino acids in early life.

InterestHigh interest

Participants demonstrate high curiosity, especially concerning the vastness of protein sequence possibilities and the implications of the research.

EngagementModerate engagement

Conversations include referencing scientific facts and sharing doubts or clarifications, indicating moderate depth of engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The discussions reflect an awareness that the study could influence understanding of molecular evolution, though they tend to be more exploratory than decisively transformational.

Abstract in brief

  • The authors argue that the total protein sequence space on Earth has likely been fully explored by all living organisms over the last 4 billion years, considering factors like genome size, mutation rate, and amino acid diversity.
  • They suggest that, contrary to the idea that life has only explored a tiny fraction, it is plausible that all functional protein sequences have been sampled at some point in Earth's history.
  • The conclusion is that, at a molecular level, the process of protein evolution is largely deterministic, meaning there's little role for chance or contingency in which protein sequences are explored.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Ranieri Bizzarri
@nanoscalebiomed · X

@PAOLND Si, esatto. E' anche possibile che in quel periodo non ci fossero 20 amminoacidi, ma non più di 4-5 https://t.co/Vlqf39rjlr

Jan 5, 2025 · 1 like · 5,153 followers View post →
Rick Searle
@RickSearle1 · X

@CT_Bergstrom @jbloom_lab @RELenski That was so awesome of you to answer my question. Thank you! Most of what I read seemed to suggest the same but then I read this paper and wasn't sure if I was missing something. https://t.co/tapduAoWa2

Jan 18, 2022 · 1 like · 615 followers View post →

All mentions

Ranieri Bizzarri
@nanoscalebiomed · X

@PAOLND Si, esatto. E' anche possibile che in quel periodo non ci fossero 20 amminoacidi, ma non più di 4-5 https://t.co/Vlqf39rjlr

Jan 5, 2025 · 1 like · 5,153 followers View post →
Otangelo Grasso
@OtangeloG · X

@SmallRobotArmy @Leigh252425 @ericmetaxas I deal with facts. David T.F Dryden (2008): A typical estimate of the size of sequence space is 20^100 (approx. 10^130) for a protein of 100 amino acids in which any of the normally occurring 20 amino acids can be found. This number is indeed gigantic. https://t.co/0tr3x746MK.

Jul 16, 2022 · 250 followers View post →
Rick Searle
@RickSearle1 · X

@CT_Bergstrom @jbloom_lab @RELenski That was so awesome of you to answer my question. Thank you! Most of what I read seemed to suggest the same but then I read this paper and wasn't sure if I was missing something. https://t.co/tapduAoWa2

Jan 18, 2022 · 1 like · 615 followers View post →
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Dec 16, 2025 View →