Scientists discover the evolutionary link between protein structure and function

A new study demonstrates the evolution of protein structure and function over 3.8 billion years. Snippets of genetic code, consistent across organisms and time, direct proteins to create 'loops,' or active sites that give proteins their function. The link between structure and function in proteins can be thought of as a network. Demonstrating evolution in this small-scale network may help others understand how other networks, such as the internet, change over time.