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.
AquaTech Australia
Since 1998 AquaTech has been at the forefront of the design and manufacture of professional photographic accessories.
Articles
-
Grey Nurse Diving
- For about the last 3 years I have been diving a site 5 nautical miles off the east coast of NSW at Laurieton. At the beginning my friend and I travelled out here (with an accompanying boat) in a 4m rubber duck. Why go out so far? ...
