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A team of international scientists successfully completed the koala genome, which will provide scientists with new information to help the conservation and survival efforts of this Australian marsupial, according to a published study. 39; Nature Genetics & # 39;
The work was directed by the Director of the Australia Research Museum Institute, Rebecca Johnson, and expert Katherine Belov, of the University of Sydney.
"The Koala Genome Consortium has been an ambitious path that has given us a great understanding of the genetic components of the koala, one of Australia's most iconic and charismatic mammals, as well as the world," said Johnson.
This step stems from our vision of using the genome to conserve these species. The genetic project not only uncovered a wealth of unusual and highly specialized eucalyptus diet data from koalas, but also provides important information about its immune system, its diversity and its evolution. these animals, he added.
The Australian-led consortium of scientists was trained by 54 experts from 29 institutions in seven countries and was able to sequence more than 20,000 genes from this animal, slightly larger than the human genome.
With this work, scientists have unprecedented information on the biology of this animal.
The scientists of this consortium worked on the genetic sequence of the koala since 2013 and it was carried out with a precision of 95.1% indicates the British magazine.
Scientists were able to sequence 3,400 million base pairs (a unit consisting of two nucleobases linked by hydrogen bonds) to the Ramaciotti Genome Center, University of New South Wales, using new technology .
"Then we put the genome with supercomputers, allowing the consortium to study 20,000 genes of this unique species" said director of this center, Marc Wilkins.
Among the important points identified is the composition of the koala's milk and discovering its proteins, important for the different stages of development of the animal, added the experts.
EFE
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