Sea urchins genetically close to humans - 10 November
SCIENTISTS have sequenced the genome of the sea urchin, an invertebrate surprisingly similar to humans, a step that could help develop new treatment for human disease such as cancer, a new study says.
After identifying the 23,300 genes of the Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (California purple sea urchin) genome, researchers found humans shared 7077 of their genes with the arguably different-looking brainless and limbless invertebrate.
The genetic ties were far closer than scientists expected and make the sea urchin a closer genetic cousin of man than the worm or fruit fly, the study in the November 10 issue of Science found.
More at http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,20733535-1702,00.html
Contributed by Tim Hochgrebe added 2006-11-12
Login or become a member to join in with this discussion.
Wakatobi Dive Resort
Wakatobi Dive Resort has some of the most pristine reefs in Indonesia at its doorstep. Protected by their Collaborative Reef Conservation Program, Wakatobi is the #1 choice for sophisticated divers.
Articles
-
Goodbye Cocos. Hello Christmas Island!
- We waved goodbye to the crew from Cocos (Keeling) Islands until our arms hurt. We were a bit sad to leave everybody behind, but also excited about what was going to come. After only an hour the plane started to descend again and we could see Christmas Island. It was very clear straight away that Christmas Island is geologically very different from the Cocos (Keeling) Islands.
