Chromosome Painting, Gene Mapping of Tasmanian Devil Facial Tumor Disease
Deakin, Bender et al., PLoS Genetics
A team led by investigators at the Australian National University reports its use of "chromosome painting and gene mapping to deconstruct the DFTD [Tasmanian devil facial tumor disease] karyotype and determine the chromosome and gene rearrangements involved in carcinogenesis." Through its analysis, the team produced detailed maps of both the devil and tumor karyotypes, which the researchers say will aid future genomic investigations into the transmissible cancer.
The Return of the Model
Even with advances in sequencing, researchers still turn to model organisms — with their wealth of information — to draw finer connections between variants and phenotypes.
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