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The sequenced genome, which acts like a genetic code or map, provides a wealth of new information, say the researchers.
They now understand how koalas can eat highly toxic eucalyptus leaves, how koala joeys are born without an immune system, and how the koalas produce milk that changes composition as they grow.
This genetics information gives researchers the hope that they can develop a vaccine against chlamydia, which caused the disease. infertility and blindness among koalas across New South Wales and Queensland.
Another great threat is consanguinity. As koala habitats have been destroyed over the years, there has been a decrease in "habitat connectivity" and increased inbreeding, leading to lower genetic diversity in koala populations [19659003] Protecting the habitat, reducing collisions with vehicles, dog attacks and diseases are the keys to the long-term survival of the koala, "said Rebecca Johnson, director of the Australian Museum Research Institute, one of the leading researchers. the following efforts must be made to genetically apply koala populations, advance the treatment of diseases affecting koalas, in order to conserve this very important species. "
There is also the possibility that future marsupial genomic studies "could be used for human health," said Graham Etherington researcher of the Earlham Institute in a statement
The team consisted of 54 scientists from 29 institutions from seven countries They started working in 2013.
Using supercomputers and new technologies at the University of New South Wales South in Sydney, the team sequenced more than 20,000 genes, which they then badembled into a complete genome.
available to scientists around the world, and has been put in public databases.
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