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.
AOI Australia
AOI underwater photographic products - a professional OEM/ODM underwater camera casings and underwater electronic products manufacturer. Great quality wet lenses for underwater photography.
Articles
-
The importance of a buddy
by Mellow
- Recently a group of us went down south of Perth for a boys week of diving and to finish of our advanced course. Most of us have been diving for many years and have logged over a couple of hundred dives ...
