For the sake of man

The largest set of mammalian genomes has been created

Anatoly Glossev, Vesti

Biologists have deciphered and compared the genomes of 240 mammalian species, and more than 120 of them have been deciphered for the first time. The result is the largest set of mammalian genomes. It will help to explore the evolutionary tree of animals and name species that are threatened with extinction. Surprisingly, this work will be a great help for doctors: it will help to understand the roots of hereditary diseases and identify potential carriers of viruses among animals.

The achievement is described in a scientific article published in the journal Nature by members of the Zoonomia collaboration.

The project participants posted all the received data in open access. This is a wealth for scientists from a wide variety of fields of knowledge.

Origin of species

First of all, of course, for evolutionary biologists. After all, the species whose genomes are deciphered by "Zoonomy" cover 80% of all modern mammalian families. The last common ancestor of all these species lived almost 110 million years ago, long before the extinction of the dinosaurs. And although the first mammals appeared much earlier (about 200 million years ago, almost simultaneously with the dinosaurs), it is still a very long time. Comparing the DNA of many species will help specialists better understand the pedigree of our zoological class.

Save and Save

Specialists in the conservation of endangered species may also be very interested in the new data. In their article, the authors showed that species on the verge of extinction have less genetic diversity. Which is not surprising: if there are few interbreeding individuals left, then where do a lot of different genes come from that help to adapt to a variety of living conditions? Thus, genome analysis can show which species are threatened.

The Roots of Evil

The new work has also become a great contribution to what is more important than abstract scientific knowledge and even the salvation of endangered species: taking care of people's health. This was the main idea of the project, according to its participants.

How can decoding the genomes of rodents or pinnipeds help in the fight against Homo sapiens diseases? Oddly enough, the most direct. All modern mammals come from the same ancestor and have very similar genomes. By comparing the DNA of different species, scientists can compile a list of genes common to all living mammals.

But mutations happen in all genes sooner or later. How can a gene remain unchanged for hundreds of millions of years? The answer is simple: this gene is very important for the functioning of the body. Mutations in it lead to hereditary diseases and are eliminated in nature by natural selection.

In human society, natural selection in its natural version, fortunately, does not work. We do not leave a person with a hereditary disease to die, but strive to help him. And a list of health-critical genes can be the key to the roots of many hereditary ailments. And knowing the cause, it's easier to fight the consequence.

Hidden threat

The collected data has other medical uses. As you know, animals are carriers of viruses that can be transmitted from them to humans. Suffice it to recall that the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus came to us from a bat (possibly with the participation of other animals).

Now this pathogen affects people and is already transmitted from them to animals, for example, minks. This is dangerous not only for animals, but also for us. After all, the virus will mutate in the body of the new hosts. If he accumulates a lot of such mutations, then theoretically he can become unrecognizable even for the immunity of people who have been ill or vaccinated. And then the pandemic will flare up with renewed vigor.

Biologists have already used the genomic data of "Zoonomy" to determine which species can become natural reservoirs or intermediate hosts for SARS-CoV-2. The conclusions are disappointing: there are 47 mammal species on the blacklist.

Thanks to the project data, the same work can be carried out for other viruses that threaten humanity.

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