Biology News Net - Bioinformatics

Transformational fruit fly genome catalog completed

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:44:36 -0500

Dr. Trudy Mackay and an international team of researchers provide the holy grail of fruit fly genetics -- a reference panel of genetic variation in 192 fruit fly lines. Scientists searching for the genomics version of the holy grail – more insight into predicting how an animal's genes affect physical or behavioral traits – now have a reference manual that should speed gene discoveries in everything from pest control to personalized medicine.

Entire genome of extinct human decoded from fossil

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:37:33 -0500

Researchers have now been able to sequence the entire Denisova genome using 10 milligrams of a finger bone fragment that was found in the Denisova Cave in Southern Siberia. In 2010, Dr. Svante Pääbo and his colleagues presented a draft version of the genome from a small fragment of a human finger bone discovered in Denisova Cave in southern Siberia. The DNA sequences showed that this individual came from a previously unknown group of extinct humans that have become known as Denisovans. Together with their sister group the Neandertals, Denisovans are the closest extinct relatives of currently living humans.

Genetic code cracked for a devastating blood parasite

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 18:03:35 -0500

Scientists have cracked the genetic code and predicted some high priority drug targets for the blood parasite Schistosoma haematobium, which is linked to bladder cancer and HIV/ AIDS and causes the insidious urogenital disease schistosomiasis haematobia in more than 112 million people in Africa.

Genome tree of life is largest yet for seed plants

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 18:25:38 -0500

This is a phylogenomic reconstruction of the evolutionary diversification of seed plants. Scientists at the American Museum of Natural History, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, The New York Botanical Garden, and New York University have created the largest genome-based tree of life for seed plants to date. Their findings, published today in the journal PLoS Genetics, plot the evolutionary relationships of 150 different species of plants based on advanced genome-wide analysis of gene structure and function. This new approach, called "functional phylogenomics," allows scientists to reconstruct the pattern of events that led to the vast number of plant species and could help identify genes used to improve seed quality for agriculture.

Genetic code of first arachnid cracked

Mon, 28 Nov 2011 16:09:31 -0500

An international team of scientists - including Ghent VIB scientists - has succeeded in deciphering the genome of the spider mite. This is also the first known genome of an arachnid. This premiere not only brings along new insights into the evolution of arthropods, but also offers new opportunities to develop means of crop protection against the spider mite.

Salmon genome in final phases of completion

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:04:06 -0500

The International Cooperation to Sequence the Atlantic Salmon Genome (ICSASG, the "Cooperation") has awarded the Phase II contract for next-generation sequencing and analysis of the Atlantic salmon genome to the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI) in Rockville, Maryland. The JCVI will be sequencing the salmon genome using next-generation technologies, including assembly to integrate Sanger and next-generation sequence, and comparative genomics. This effort is expected to generate a high-quality resource for those responsible for the management of wild salmon stocks and the salmon aquaculture industry, as well as providing a reference genome for work with other salmonids.

Introducing the monarch butterfly genome

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:04:05 -0500

The Monarch butterfly is famous for its ability to travel up to 2,000 miles from North America to central Mexico every fall. Now, it's enjoying fame of a different sort. In the November 23rd issue of Cell, researchers report the full genomic sequence of this iconic butterfly. The new genome is the first for any butterfly. It is also the first complete genome of any long-distance migrant.

Big pest, small genome

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:04:05 -0500

Scanning electron microscope image of a two-spotted spider mite, which is less than one millimeter long. A University of Utah biologist and an international research team decoded the genetic blueprint of the two-spotted spider mite, raising hope for new ways to attack the major pest, which resists pesticides and destroys crops and ornamental plants worldwide.

Chinese genomics giant BGI releases latest bioinformatics software and datasets

Mon, 14 Nov 2011 16:44:57 -0500

BGI, the world's largest genomic organization, announces several bioinformatics analysis pipelines and software, including assembly and binning tools, genetic variation software, as well as two cloud-based green solutions for genomic-based research. In addition, GigaScience, an upcoming research journal published by BGI, announces the launch of its new, freely accessible, large-scale database: GigaDB. The launch of GigaDB is heralded by today's release of numerous large datasets of different types and from a variety of organisms. GigaDB is unique because it is directly affiliated with a journal and all of its datasets are assigned a Digital Object Identifier (DOI), which allows these data to be directly cited in future publications.

Forest Service part of team sequencing 1,000 fungal genomes

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:35:26 -0500

A 79-year-old collection of fungal cultures and the U.S. Forest Service's Northern Research Station are part of a team that will sequence 1,000 fungal genomes in the next 5 years.