Y Chromosome Analysis of Horses

 

Scientists are attempting to trace the paternal line in horses by using the Y chromosome. The Y chromosome has always been difficult to study since it contains many repeating sections and palindromes. Since computer technology has made it easier to analyze it, a worldwide collection of horse DNA samples were able to be analyzed, and the ancestries of these horses were able to be traced. Horse and human history are closely linked, and humans have used stallion mediated breeding with horses due to the fact that it is easier to trace a stallion’s fertility than a mare’s. Pedigrees are used to trace horse ancestry today, but since they are done manually then only go back a few generations. With the Y chromosome analysis, however, they are able to go back many generations and examine evolutionary lineages within the horse’s paternal ancestry. This will allow horse breeders to better prevent inbreeding and maintain genetic diversity.

In my opinion, this is a very useful and unique effort. Mapping the Y chromosomes of a variety of horses in order to examine their evolutionary development and lineages on their paternal side proved to be extraordinarily beneficial. By gaining the ability to trace the genetics of horses across multiple generations, we can better keep record of particular lineages and ensure that horses with similar lineages do not breed together in order to prevent genetic defects. We can work to better conserve and enhance genetic diversity within horses. We are also able to better analyze breeding influences over time and how they connect with human history as well.

    

                         

200-year-old DNA Helps Map Tiny Fly's Genetic Course to New lands, Modern Times

 

Researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Lund University analyzed DNA from fruit fly specimens collected in Europe between the early 19th century and the 1930s. Surprisingly, flies from the early 1800s were more genetically similar to contemporary flies than those from the 1930s, revealing patterns of migration and genetic drift. The study uncovered genes showing signs of evolutionary pressure, aiding in the adaptation to different environments and challenges. Notably, a gene called Cyp6g1 emerged in the 1930s specimens, making flies resistant to the pesticide DDT introduced in the 1940s. Another gene, Ahcy, helped 19th-century flies adapt to cooler temperatures and shorter days. Furthermore, the ChKov1 gene, previously linked to insecticide resistance, was found to offer viral resistance, altering prior understandings.

I find it so interesting that analyzing the DNA of fruit flies from centuries-old specimens, as highlighted in this research article, holds so much significance in the field of genetics. Research on fruit flies is critical because it also provides valuable insights into genetic mechanisms across various species, including humans. As noted in the second article, the fruit fly is a critical model organism in both basic and medical research, with a rapid reproductive rate and deep genetic similarities to mammals. Studies over the decades have revealed that its genetic mechanisms, like the Pax6 gene responsible for eye formation, are conserved across species and its mutations can cause various eye disorders. Overall, research on fruit flies has provided scientists with valuable insights into human gene functions, birth defects, and even complex conditions like alcoholism and drug addiction.

Links: 

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/10/231012161830.htm

https://www.upstate.edu/cvr/investigators/francesca-pignoni-phd/why-the-fly.php#:~:text=The%20fruit%20fly%C2%B7is%20a,control%20organ%20development%20in%20vertebrates.

Ancient Scrolls having genes?

Researcher have figured out a way to extract tiny amounts of ancient DNA from scrolls. This is an extraordinary finding on how they did it and what they discovered. The researchers were able to extract DNA from a scroll that was made with animal skin."In research conducted over the past seven years, an interdisciplinary team from Tel Aviv University, the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA), Sweden’s Uppsala University and Cornell University decoded the ancient DNA from the animal skins on which the scrolls were written. They were able to accurately determine the genetic relationships between various fragments, which could have far-reaching implications for the wider historical context of the scrolls"[2]



It's amazing to see and understand how they were able to extract DNA from the different fragments of the scroll to figure out that it was sheep and cow hide. They used a technique called Deep-sequencing technology, which was used to amplify animal DNA to compare to fingerprints of animal they had in they're data base. They were then able to pin point, which area the cow and sheep originated from to get an idea where the scroll was created. This is a huge accomplishment because there can do this with me written scrolls, to pinpoint where it was created.

First Link:[1]https://www.sciencenews.org/article/dead-sea-scrolls-dna-genetic-clues-origins-hebrew-bible

Second Link:[2]https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-dna-helps-unlock-dead-sea-scroll-puzzle-180975041/

 

Forensic DNA analysis checks the origin of cultured cells

"A cell line consists of cultured cells that often originate from a tumor."Unlike other cultured cells, cell line of tumor cells can be cultured for many years because these cells divide continually. A cell line U87MG used by the brain tumor type glioma was studied by the researchers at Uppsala university about fifty years ago. Marie Allen is an expert in DNA fingerprinting. DNA fingerprinting is used for finding out genetic identity such as in crime investigation scenes. Marie and her collegues genetically compared the cell lines with each other. It was found by that the U87MG cell line from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) had a different DNA profile than the original cell line in Uppsala. 

The material from the original tumor was saved as thin sections on microscope slides when the cell line was established in 1960s. The researchers could compare the two current cell lines with the tumor from which the cell line was established by using a very sensitive DNA analysis technique. This technique can also be used when very small quantities of DNA from old tissues are present. Consequently, the U87MG cell line from ATCC had a different and unknown origin while the Uppsala cell line was genetically similar to the original tumor. Bengt Westermark says, " We do not know at which point during the fifty years of culturing the mix-up occured but we have been able to show that the ATCC U87MG line is most likely from a human glioma tumor." Researchers who report results based on cell line experiment should use DNA profiling to establish the identity of used cells. Proper identification of a cell line requires that the DNA profile should match the origin of tissues. This is important if someone wants to assert that the cells are true representatives of original tumor through the research results. 

In my opinion, DNA profiling of human cell lines, which if applied routinely in cell culture experiment can significantly improve the recognition of cellular cross-contamination and thus results in more precise analysis. Human cell lines have been used as models for diseases such as cancer, production of vaccines and recombinant proteins. However, we need to moderate the accelerated use of human cell lines to prevent the cellular cross contamination.

http://health.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/industry/forensic-dna-analysis-checks-the-origin-of-cultured-cells/53955496

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160831142856.htm