 |
|
LSU professor involved in genome sequencing of the first marsupial
May 10, 2007BATON ROUGE - Since the launch of the Human Genome Project, which released a first draft of the entire sequence of human DNA in 2001, many researchers have dedicated themselves to creating a library of comprehensive, species-specific genetic sequence "maps" available for study. Scientists at LSU recently took part in a multi-institutional effort spearheaded by the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University to sequence the complete genome of the gray, short-tailed opossum, Monodelphis domestica.
As the first marsupial, a mammal equipped with a special "pouch," to be sequenced, the opossum provides a unique perspective on the organization and evolution of mammalian genomes. The results will be published in the journal Nature on Thursday, May 10.
Marsupials diverged from a common ancestor with placental mammals, a group including humans, approximately 180 million years ago. Marsupials and placental mammals are more closely related to one another than to any other vertebrate model species, such as birds, amphibians or fish, yet marsupials are also genetically distinct from all current mammalian biomedical research models. This makes the marsupial an integral part of evolutionary and biomedical studies.
Kangaroos of Australia and the North American opossum, which is abundant in Louisiana, typically come to mind when one thinks of marsupials. However, Monodelphis domestica, a South American opossum, was chosen for genome sequencing because it is the predominant laboratory-bred research marsupial in the world and therefore represents an important model organism for comparative genomics. Studies in this species will help to identify genome features common to all mammals and will also help to pinpoint specific differences between placental and non-placental mammals.
"Mapping the opossum genome is a significant achievement for many reasons," said Mark Batzer, Andrew C. Pereboom Alumni Departmental Professor of Biological Sciences at LSU, and one of the project investigators. "It provides unprecedented insight into connections between humans and other species and will help elucidate the underlying genetic mechanisms that are common in mammals versus the evolution of distinctly human differences in gene regulation, expression and function."
The evolution of mobile elements, or "jumping genes," in mammalian genomes is a primary focus of Batzer's research at LSU. Mobile elements were generally thought to have no function, yet these elements have been shown to cause diseases in humans and also be involved in the creation of new gene families. As a consequence, understanding the impact of mobile elements on genome structure is paramount to understanding the function of the gene.
Batzer and his colleagues, Andrew Gentles, a researcher at Stanford University, David Pollock of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and Jerzy Jurka from the Genetic Information Research Institute, investigated the overall mobile element composition and evolution of mobile elements within the opossum genome in the main Nature paper and report additional detailed findings in a companion paper to be published in Genome Research, also on May 10. They found that mobile elements make up about 52 percent of the opossum genome, compared to only about 50 percent in primate genomes, and have distinct compositional differences as well.
In addition, they report that transposable elements appear to have been involved in a specific biological function, perhaps regulating gene expression. Thus, the mobile elements that are typically thought of as "junk DNA" have played a creative role in genome evolution - spreading key genetic innovations involved in the control of gene expression across the genome.
Mobile elements are also commonly utilized for studies of population and species-specific genetic diversity. The genetic diversity and ancestral population structure of recently active mobile elements in diverse opossum populations is the topic of a second companion paper to be published shortly in the journal Gene. These detailed analyses were performed in collaboration with Pollock, Gentles, Jurka and David Ray of West Virginia University.
Louisiana State University
Kangaroos of Australia and the North American opossum, which is abundant in Louisiana, typically come to mind when one thinks of marsupials. However, Monodelphis domestica, a South American opossum, was chosen for genome sequencing because it is the predominant laboratory-bred research marsupial in the world and therefore represents an important model organism for comparative genomics. Studies in this species will help to identify genome features common to all mammals and will also help to pinpoint specific differences between placental and non-placental mammals.
"Mapping the opossum genome is a significant achievement for many reasons," said Mark Batzer, Andrew C. Pereboom Alumni Departmental Professor of Biological Sciences at LSU, and one of the project investigators. "It provides unprecedented insight into connections between humans and other species and will help elucidate the underlying genetic mechanisms that are common in mammals versus the evolution of distinctly human differences in gene regulation, expression and function."
The evolution of mobile elements, or "jumping genes," in mammalian genomes is a primary focus of Batzer's research at LSU. Mobile elements were generally thought to have no function, yet these elements have been shown to cause diseases in humans and also be involved in the creation of new gene families. As a consequence, understanding the impact of mobile elements on genome structure is paramount to understanding the function of the gene.
Batzer and his colleagues, Andrew Gentles, a researcher at Stanford University, David Pollock of the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center and Jerzy Jurka from the Genetic Information Research Institute, investigated the overall mobile element composition and evolution of mobile elements within the opossum genome in the main Nature paper and report additional detailed findings in a companion paper to be published in Genome Research, also on May 10. They found that mobile elements make up about 52 percent of the opossum genome, compared to only about 50 percent in primate genomes, and have distinct compositional differences as well.
In addition, they report that transposable elements appear to have been involved in a specific biological function, perhaps regulating gene expression. Thus, the mobile elements that are typically thought of as "junk DNA" have played a creative role in genome evolution - spreading key genetic innovations involved in the control of gene expression across the genome.
Mobile elements are also commonly utilized for studies of population and species-specific genetic diversity. The genetic diversity and ancestral population structure of recently active mobile elements in diverse opossum populations is the topic of a second companion paper to be published shortly in the journal Gene. These detailed analyses were performed in collaboration with Pollock, Gentles, Jurka and David Ray of West Virginia University.
Louisiana State University
Genome Sequencing Current Events and Genome Sequencing News RSSScientists at UA, collaborating institutions decode maize genome
Scientists from the University of Arizona led by Arizona Genomics Institute director Rod A. Wing and from collaborating institutions have deciphered the complete genetic code of the maize plant for the first time.
UCSD discovery allows scientists for the first time to experimentally annotate genomes
Over the last 20 years, the sequencing of the human genome, along with related organisms, has represented one of the largest scientific endeavors in the history of mankind.
Standards for a new genomic era
A team of geneticists at Los Alamos National Laboratory, together with a consortium of international researchers, has recently proposed a set of standards designed to elucidate the quality of publicly available genetic sequencing information.
Establishing standard definitions for genome sequences
In 1996, researchers from major genome sequencing centers around the world convened on the island of Bermuda and defined a finished genome as a gapless sequence with a nucleotide error rate of one or less in 10,000 bases.
Draft potato genome based on unique potato variety
The Potato Genome Sequencing Consortium (PGSC), an international team of scientists from industry and academia in 14 countries, has released a draft sequence of the potato genome with the help of a Virginia Tech researcher.
MSU scientist helps map potato genome; move will improve crop yield
It's been cultivated for at least 7,000 years and spread from South America to grow on every continent except Antarctica. Now the humble potato has had its genome sequenced.
Study of huge numbers of genetic mutations point to oxidative stress as underlying cause
A study that tracked genetic mutations through the human equivalent of about 5,000 years has demonstrated for the first time that oxidative DNA damage is a primary cause of the process of mutation - the fuel for evolution but also a leading cause of aging, cancer and other diseases.
Faster, cheaper way to find disease genes in human genome passes initial test
University of Washington (UW) researchers have successfully developed a novel genome-analysis strategy for more rapid, lower cost discovery of possible gene-disease links.
CSHL scientists harness logic of 'Sudoku' math puzzle to vastly enhance genome-sequencing capability
A math-based game that has taken the world by storm with its ability to delight and puzzle may now be poised to revolutionize the fast-changing world of genome sequencing and the field of medical genetics.
Aluminum-oxide nanopore beats other materials for DNA analysis
Fast and affordable genome sequencing has moved a step closer with a new solid-state nanopore sensor being developed by researchers at the University of Illinois.
More Genome Sequencing Current Events and Genome Sequencing News Articles
 |
Next-Generation Genome Sequencing: Towards Personalized Medicine by Michal Janitz (Editor) Written by leading experts from industry and academia, this comprehensive resource addresses recent developments in next generation DNA sequencing technology and their impact on genome research, drug discovery and health care. As such, it presents a detailed comparative analysis of commercially available platforms as well as insights into alternative, emerging sequencing techniques. In addition, the book not only covers the principles of DNA sequencing techniques but also social, ethical and commercial aspects, the concept of personalized medicine and a five-year perspective of DNA sequencing. |
 |
SciEd Sequencing the Human Genome; Dna Map Using Restcn Enzymes by Edvotek DNA Map Using Restcn Enzymes |
 |
Genome Sequencing Technology and Algorithms by Sun Kim (Editor), Haixu Tang (Editor), Elaine R. Mardis (Editor) The 2003 completion of the Human Genome Project was just one step in the evolution of DNA sequencing. Now from a "who's who" of pioneers in the field comes the latest genome sequencing and assembly advances that are redefining the field. This trail-blazing book gives researchers, unparalleled access to state-of-the-art DNA sequencing technologies, new algorithmic sequence assembly techniques, and emerging methods for both resequencing and genome analysis that together form the most solid foundation possible for tackling experimental and computational challenges in the genome sciences today. Including critiques of existing techniques, this far-reaching resource offers researchers assistance in achieving more rapid and accurate DNA sequencing and developing the next generation of... |
 |
Charlie Rose (August 29, 2000) A rebroadcast of part two of the special edition series, "Mapping the Human Genome" that originally aired on June 20, 2000. Dr. Francis Collins, molecular geneticist and director of the National Center for Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health, and his colleagues Judy Crabtree, Dr. Steven Lipkin, David Duggan and Dr. Olli-P. Kallioniemi, discuss the Human Genome Project. This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply. |
|
Agaricus Bisporus Mushroom Genome Sequencing.(specialty mushrooms): An article from: Mushroom News by Richard W. Kerrigan (Author) This digital document is an article from Mushroom News, published by American Mushroom Institute on February 1, 2009. The length of the article is 614 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: Agaricus Bisporus Mushroom Genome Sequencing.(specialty mushrooms) Author: Richard W. Kerrigan Publication: Mushroom News (Magazine/Journal) Date: February 1, 2009 Publisher: American Mushroom Institute Volume: 57 Issue: 2 Page: 4(2) Distributed by Gale, a part of Cengage... | |
 |
Charlie Rose with Francis Collins, Steven Lipkin, David Duggan, Olli-P. Kallioniemi & Judy Crabtree (June 20, 2000) Part two of the special edition series, "Mapping the Human Genome." Dr. Francis Collins, molecular geneticist and director of the National Center for Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health, and his colleagues Judy Crabtree, Dr. Steven Lipkin, David Duggan and Dr. Olli-P. Kallioniemi, discuss the Human Genome Project. This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R recordable media. Amazon.com's standard return policy will apply. |
 |
Genome Mapping and Sequencing by Ian Dunham (Author) Written by experts in the field, this title provides a comprehensive source of information on DNA sequencing and mapping, the newest technologiy and procedures in areas such as radiation hybrid mapping, FISH and specialized sequencing techniques. It also covers genomic sequence software and sequence databases. This book is an essential guide for anyone involved in DNA sequencing and mapping. |
|
Rapid genome sequencing of RNA viruses.(DISPATCHES)(Disease/Disorder overview): An article from: Emerging Infectious Diseases by Tetsuya Mizutani (Author), Daiji Endoh (Author), Michiko Okamoto (Author), Kazuya Shirato (Author), Hiroyuki Shimizu (Author), Minetaro Arita (Author), Shuetsu Fukushi (Author), Masayuki Saijo (Author), Kouyi Sakai (Author), Chang Kweng Lim (Author), Mikako Ito (Author), Reiko Nerome (Author), Tomohiko Takasaki (Author), Koji Ishii (Author), Tetsuro Suzuki (Author) This digital document is an article from Emerging Infectious Diseases, published by Thomson Gale on February 1, 2007. The length of the article is 1571 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser. Citation Details Title: Rapid genome sequencing of RNA viruses.(DISPATCHES)(Disease/Disorder overview) Author: Tetsuya Mizutani Publication: Emerging Infectious Diseases (Magazine/Journal) Date: February 1, 2007 Publisher: Thomson Gale Volume: 13 Issue: 2 Page: 322(3) Article Type: Disease/Disorder overview Distributed by Thomson... | |
 |
Charlie Rose with Hamilton Smith, Francis Collins, Harold Varmus, Arnold Levine, James Watson, Nicholas Wade, William Haseltine, Arthur Caplan & J. Craig Venter (June 23, 2000) Episode five of the special series "Mapping the Human Genome." A panel of experts discusses the ethics and implications of the Human Genome Project. They are: Dr. Craig Venter, president of Celera Genomics; Dr. Hamilton Smith, in charge of creating a DNA library for Celera Genomics; Dr Francis Collins, molecular geneticist and director of the National Center for Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health; Dr. Harold Varmus, president of Rockefeller University; Dr. James Watson, molecular biologist and co-discoverer of the double-helix structure of DNA; Nicholas Wade, science reporter for The New York Times; Dr. William Haseltine, chairman and CEO of Human Genome Sciences; and Dr. Arthur Caplan, director of the Center for Bioethics at the University of... |
 |
Mapping and Sequencing the Human Genome by Committee on Mapping and Sequencing the Human Genome (Author), National Research Council (Author) There is growing enthusiasm in the scientific community about the prospect of mapping and sequencing the human genome, a monumental project that will have far-reaching consequences for medicine, biology, technology, and other fields. But how will such an effort be organized and funded? How will we develop the new technologies that are needed? What new legal, social, and ethical questions will be raised? "Mapping and Sequencing the Human Genome" is a blueprint for this proposed project. The authors offer a highly readable explanation of the technical aspects of genetic mapping and sequencing, and they recommend specific interim and long-range research goals, organizational strategies, and funding levels. They also outline some of the legal and social questions that might arise and urge... |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |