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.
Pelagian Dive Yacht
Feel like you're on a private yacht charter with just ten guests. Pelagian cruises the outer reaches of the exquisite Wakatobi region.
Articles
-
What is our Coral Sea?
- The Coral Sea is a tropical marine jewel, which lies east of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. It is one of the last places on Earth where large marine animals can still be found in great numbers.
