Sheep Genome Sequenced, Secrets of Unique Digestive and Metabolic Systems Revealed

The first ever sequence of the sheep genome has been completed by scientists, which has shed new information on the species' unique and specialized digestive and metabolic systems.

Sheep, a major source of meat, milk, and fiber in the form of wool, are important to the agriculture industry. This exploration of sheep genetic characteristics found features that comprise their specialized digestive systems including the rumen (the first chamber of their stomach which helps digests plant material to animal protein) and fatty acid metabolism.

Controversial deal on public access of the human genome map
Celeron Genomics Inc, will soon publish its findings on the human genome project, which

The collaboration, which included 73 authors from 26 institutions across eight countries, published the work today in the journal Science.

The team identified highly expressed genes encoding proteins that may cross-link keratins (structural proteins of hair, nails, horn, hoofs, wool and feathers – the outermost layers of the skin) at the rumen surface.

Additionally, they identified changes in genes involved in lipid metabolism (fatty acids such as natural oils, waxes and steroids) and their role in wool synthesis.

For Conservation Efforts Endangered Lemurs' Complete Genomes are Sequenced and Analyzed
In an effort to help guide conservation efforts the complete genomes of three separate populations of aye-ayes -- a type of lemur -- have been sequenced and analyzed for the first time.

The sequencing efforts of the project were conducted at the Human Genome Sequencing Center with Dr. Kim Worley, professor in the Center, as the lead investigator of the Baylor portion of the study. Worley also serves as a co-author on the report.

Human Genome Project Achieves Technological Triumph
The completion of rough draft sequence of the human genes is a major scientific milestone and was achieved on 26.06.2000. The project began more

Source-Eurekalert