A team of researchers has successfully mapped and analyzed the genomes of 51 animal species, ranging from fish-eating crocodiles, known as gharials (Gavialis gangeticus), to fierce cloud leopards (Neofelis nebulosa). This groundbreaking study, published in the journal Nature Biotechnology on January 26, has significant implications for understanding human evolution.
“We are essentially building an evolutionary time machine,” said study co-author Michael Schatz, a Bloomberg distinguished professor of computer science and biology at Johns Hopkins University, in an official statement. ”By mapping the genes of our evolutionary cousins, we can gain a better understanding of ourselves.”
All mammals share a common ancestor, believed by many scientists to be Morganucodon, a tiny, shrew-like creature that lived over 200 million years ago. However, there are some who dispute this theory. Regardless, this shared ancestor means that a significant portion of our genetic makeup is similar to that of other mammals, particularly chimpanzees, with whom we share up to 99% of our DNA. By comparing the DNA of humans and other animals, researchers can determine when and how humans diverged from other species.
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Mapping a single vertebrate genome can be a daunting task, as it can contain billions of characters. Researchers must use various tools to break down this genetic material into smaller segments before piecing it together to form a complete picture. As a result, genome mapping has historically been a time-consuming process, with the first human genome taking 13 years to complete in 1990.
However, in recent decades, DNA mapping technology has advanced rapidly, and this new project marks another significant step forward, reducing the sequencing time from years and months to just days.
To achieve this, the team utilized data from two projects: the Vertebrate Genomes Project and the European Reference Genome Atlas. From this data, they developed algorithms and computer software to assemble short genetic segments into a complete genetic map. They then tested the accuracy of their workflow by comparing it to the previously published genome of a zebra finch (Taeniopygia guttata).
The team found that their new technology was more efficient than existing methods at reassembling segments of the genome and creating an accurate map. Their software is open-source and available online through Galaxy, a free, web-based platform based at Johns Hopkins and Pennsylvania State University.
“My initial reaction was, wow, they actually made this work,” said Elinor Karlsson, director of the Vertebrate Genomics Group at the Broad Institute and a professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, who was not involved in the study, in an interview with Live Science. “It’s really impressive to see not only that they were able to develop a system that works well on a diverse range of species, but they did it on a platform that is dedicated to open science and sharing workflows.”
For this study, the researchers focused solely on vertebrates, and it is possible that other animal, plant, or fungal species may have unique aspects of their genome that may not be accurately represented by this approach, Karlsson noted.
However, the team believes that this can be addressed by adjusting certain parameters in their method, and their ultimate goal is to sequence the genomes of at least one species from all 275 vertebrate orders.
Wow, this is a huge leap forward in understanding the intricacies of evolution!