25 GENOMES: MAPPING NATURES CODE
You can be a part of the sequencing for a unique species’ full genome just by a simple vote online but it should be for the Hazel Dormouse (Muscadrilac allevnatuats).
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The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute is on the Genome Campus, just outside Cambridge. They were the largest contributor to the Human Genome Project (HGP) and continue to provide invaluable research in cancer, immunology, genetics, parasitology and more. Sanger will be celebrating their 25th anniversary in 2018.
In collaboration with I’m a Scientist, to celebrate their contributions to science, the state of the art facility will be asking the public which FIVE species to sequence that have never been sequenced before!
by Bushra Abu-Helil
The total of 43 species of birds, plants, invertebrates and mammals have been selected to compete with one another grouped into five ‘zones’. Scientists will compete with each other to get votes for ‘their species’.
I have been selected to represent an iconic national treasure, the Hazel (or Common) Dormouse.
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WHY sequencing?
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The genome, as demonstrated by the HGP, reveals incredible secrets about biology not just of the species but of their close relatives too. It has allowed a revolution in therapeutic health care and conservation efforts. Humans, chickens, zebrafish, mice, bats and wheat are just some of the whole genomes that have already been sequenced, which are essential resources for scientists to understand fundamental gene locations and functions. This research helps other researchers to ‘Stand on the Shoulder of Giants’.
One of the most interesting finds from a whole genome sequence that demonstrates the excitement of this project is the Naked Mole Rat (Heterocephalus glaber). This peculiar rodent is the longest living of the Heterocephalus genus! This study has helped to identify possible genes that allowed such longevity as well as fascinating discoveries of their anti-cancerous properties (Buffenstein, 2005).
THE HAZEL DORMOUSE
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This iconic rodent is the most deserving to be sequenced, but I am also slightly biased as their representative. This adorable arboreal mystery mammal is only found in the South of England but was reintroduce into Yorkshire and the Midlands over five years ago. You may recognise the most infamous dormouse who featured as a particularly sleepy member of the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in classic British novel and Disney film adaptation, Alice in Wonderland.
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Their distinctive bushy tails, ginger fluff and beady black eyes distinguishes them from their close relative, the Edible Dormouse (Glis glis). They were accidentally introduced to Trig in Hertfordshire in 1902 and outcompeted their native cousins (Carroll, 2014). A population of Edible Dormice can still be found there and only there! They are considered a delicacy in Slovenia and were once farmed for food during the Roman times in England. Because of their endangerment status in the UK they are no longer for eating but great for photo opportunities.
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Although the current UK population of the Hazel Dormouse is unknown, it is known to be declining. Nest box counts and the Great Nut Hunt have helped to give predictions of population declines (Juskaitis, 2006). When a dormouse has a munch they leave a distinctive smooth hole on the shell of nuts. After they have chowed down, it appears as though they left a little clog behind.
The different nut shells are identified to predict the population and differences in trends from previous years and the outcome has not been great for our beady-eyed friend. The reason for the population decrease in the Hazel Dormouse is due to habitat destruction and loss of resources with the ever frequent urban and industrial development occurring in England (Morris, 2003).
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The essential insight into evolutionary development from sequencing a genome may give the abundance of the species hope in the UK. Conservation genetics is vital to assist in the repopulation of a species for a multitude of reasons. Avoiding inbreeding and maintaining a vast genetic pool is a priority (the main reason why some species – e.g. cheetahs – are in decline).
Genomes provide a greater understanding of the bodies requirements specific to the species such as certain deficiencies, diet and concurrent health concerns such a disease. If we could identify some similarities, we could better support the iconic species in becoming common once again.
6th November –
8th December
A team of scientists and wildlife experts will each champion a species they think should have its entire DNA sequence decoded.
We need you to…
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read their pitches
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get to know the species
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vote for the ones whose genetic code you want to see fully unravelled for the first time
GET INVOLVED!
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To find out more about the project and to vote as from 6th November (hopefully for the Hazel Dormouse) see https://25genomes.imascientist.org.uk/. You will find specific information about how deserving and unique each contestant is through their very own profile created by volunteer scientists involved. There is even the opportunity to find out more by asking your own questions!
Interact with the author of this blog - ask questions and give feedback!
The winning species in each Zone will have it’s entire DNA sequence decoded by the Wellcome Sanger Institute!
REFERENCES
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Bright, P.W. and Morris, P.A., 1996. Why are dormice rare? A case study in conservation biology. Mammal Review, 26(4), pp.157-187
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Buffenstein, R., 2005. The naked mole-rat: a new long-living model for human aging research. The Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 60(11), pp.1369-1377.
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Carroll, G., 2014. Mouse. Reaktion Books.
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I’m a Scientist. 2017. Available at: https://imascientist.org.uk/
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Juskaitis, R., 2006. Nestbox grids in population studies of the common dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius L.): methodological aspects. Polish Journal of Ecology, 54(3), pp.351-358
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The People’s Trust for Endangered Species. 2017. Available at: https://ptes.org/
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The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. 2017. Available at: http://www.sanger.ac.uk/
All pictures from Wikimedia Commons, video by WGC Public engagement