The look-alikes resemble each other physically but also genetically!

The revelation seems straight out of a fantasy series, but is nevertheless scientific and serious: researchers have genetically compared humans identified by facial recognition algorithms as lookalikes, and analyzed their DNA sequences (genome) , modifications within DNA (epigenome) and their microbiomes. They found that 9 of these 16 non-blood-related look-alike pairs had very similar DNA, although they differed in their epigenetic DNA methylation patterns and oral microbiome profiles.

Virtual twins and ultra-lookalikes exist

Originally, the study intended to demonstrate whether or not there was a genetic basis for facial diversity. The researchers of this study conducted in Spain within theCatalan Institute for Research and Advanced Studies, therefore studied 32 pairs of humans identified as look-alikes by photographs passed through three different facial recognition algorithms. For half of the look-alike pairs (16 out of 32), the three algorithms could not distinguish the faces, confirming that the pairs were objectively “virtual twins”.

Then the researchers analyzed the molecular components likely to influence the construction of the human face: the DNA sequence (genome), the state of DNA methylation (epigenome) and the bacterial and viral content in the oral swabs ( oral microbiome). The researchers found that 9 of these 16 look-alike pairs had very similar DNA sharing 3,730 genes, in facial features, bone and skin properties. They have been labeled “ultra-look-alikes”.

In contrast, among the 9 ultra-similar pairs, only one pair had similar DNA methylation patterns, and only one pair had a similar oral microbiome.

Common character traits too

Is it possible to be more alike? The answer is yes. Study participants also completed a comprehensive biometrics and lifestyle questionnaire. The researchers then discovered that physical traits and personality, including weight, height, smoking habits and level of education, for example, were correlated in these pairs of look-alikes. Emphasizing the idea that a shared genome can also influence common habits and behavior.

The correlation between shared preferences and genome similarities is not a new idea, however: “People who are friends tend to have common preferences, and studies have shown that friends are genetically more similar than what one might expect by chance,” says Dr. Michael Sheehan, professor of neurobiology and behavior at Cornell University, in the lines of Medical News Today.

The fascinating research continues. However, it has some limitations, as researchers acknowledge: “real” look-alikes are rare and precious data. And expanding their sample proves to be a complicated matter.