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.
Prior Planning and All That
July 02, 2009
Victoria Aranda at Bitesize Bio makes a list of what you should do before running headlong into a project. First of all, she advises, "Never. Rush. The beginning. Ever." Take your time and really think about the project, especially considering the time commitment and techniques you will need. Then, she says, "read extensively and leisurely about all aspects of your future work, technical and conceptual, and start out up to date with the current knowledge." Also, Aranda says to ask for help and to always prepare for the worst.
