Silhouettes of the 51 vertebrate species selected for complete genome sequencing. Credit: Delphine Larivière, Penn State University
Key points:
- Researchers developed novel algorithms and computer software to sequence 51 vertebrate species.
- Testing their new technology by mapping the known genome of the zebra finch, the team confirmed that their technology was faster, more accurate, and better at reassembling genome segments.
- This project’s data will have major implications for understanding human health and evolution.
Researchers have mapped the genetic blueprint of 51 species, including cats, dolphins, kangaroos, penguins, sharks, and turtles. Their discovery, detailed in Nature Biotechnology, improves our understanding of evolution and the links between humans and animals.
The research team collaborated with the Vertebrate Genomes Project to sequence vertebrate species—prioritizing those that are useful for understanding human evolution. By developing novel algorithms and computer software, they decreased the sequencing time from months to just days.
“Being able to access that genetic information will have huge implications for understanding human health and evolution,” said lead author Michael Schatz, professor at John Hopkins University. “A lot of work on drug compounds starts in mice and other animal models, so understanding their genomes and the genomes of other animals directly benefits us.”
Researchers tested their technology by mapping the genome of the zebra finch—a songbird that has already been sequenced to study brain development. The new technology was significantly better at reassembling segments of the genome and created a more accurate and complete gene map.
The team plans to continue working with the Vertebrate Genomes Project to sequence the genome of at least one species across all 275 vertebrate orders. Other research groups will also have the opportunity to assemble genomes as the open-source software is available online via the Galaxy web-based platform.
With their new technology, researchers can compare the complete genome of many species to identify when and where DNA sequences diverged. They can then make inferences about human evolution based on those differences.
“In some ways, we’re building an evolutionary time machine,” explained Schatz. “We can trace how vertebrates evolved over time and eventually gave rise to genes and sequences that are uniquely found in humans.”