Sequencing and Analysis of the Hydra Genome
Chapman, Kirkness et al., Nature
An international research collaboration reports their sequencing and analysis of the Hydra magnipapillata genome, and compare it to the genomes of several other organisms. "The Hydra genome has been shaped by bursts of transposable element expansion, horizontal gene transfer, trans-splicing, and simplification of gene structure and gene content that parallel simplification of the Hydra life cycle," the authors write. They team suggests that comparisons of the Hydra genome to the reported sequences of other animals have helped them to elucidate the evolution of several of the organism's characteristics.
Don't Put This Jelly On Your Sandwich
July 06, 2009
The Hyphal Tip's Jason Stajich says that the Tremella mesenterica genome is now up at JGI. Tremella mesenterica is a jelly fungus, also called Witch's butter, that Stajich says is interesting to use to study lignin degrading enzymes and wood degradation. Its genome is about 28 megabases with 8,313 predicted genes.
