koalas genetic code had been sequenced

To date there has not been a marsupial genome that has the quality as the human genome, until now. Called 'The Koala Genome Consortium' has sequenced over 3.4 billion base pairs and more then 26,000 genes in the Koala genome. The Human genome has 3 billion base pairs making the Koala genome larger. This has been completed with a 95.1% accuracy(1), being comparable to the human genome.
Professor Johnson wanted to use genomics to conserve the species, she believes that with the genetic blueprint will "unearth a wealth of data regarding the Koalas unusual and highly specialized diet of eucalyptus leaves, but also provides important insights into their immune system, population diversity and the evolution of Koalas."(1)
"This was led by 54 scientists from 29 different institutions across seven countries."(1) The Koalas have given scientists a bit of a headache in terms of researching them, and many believe this high quality sequencing will lead to the betterment of conservation in a scientific standpoint.
This project began in 2013 driven by the want to ensure the survival the Koala, while also increasing Australia's genomic capabilities.
A few findings have unearth the Cytochrome P450 gene family of metabolic enzymes. These genes are expressed throughout the koalas tissues. This was found also mainly in the liver for detoxification that allows Koalas to be dietary specialists.
Professor Johnson states, "this probably helped them to find their niche to survive, as they could rely on a food source that would have less competition from other species who were not able to detoxify as effectively." also he believes " the next efforts must be in the application of these findings to genetically manage koala populations, advance the treatment of the diseases affecting koalas, with the goal of conserving this very important species."(1)
This genome project has already lead the advancement for understanding Koalas and will lead to the preservation of these beautiful marsupials. They have been misplaced due to the destruction of their environment, this has made them loose numbers in the northern region of Australia and been relocated slowly to the southern regions. They are thriving in the southern regions however with growing number of people these creatures will have less and less space to inhabit. 
All the data is also open to the public.

refferences:
(1)University of Sydney. (2018, July 2). Cracking the genetic code of koalas. ScienceDaily. Retrieved July 3, 2018 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/07/180702111201.htm
(2) https://rdcu.be/2AG0

Koalas Get A Helping Hand from Genetics

The endangered Queensland koalas have been getting help from researchers at the National Environmental Research Program Environmental Decisions Hub (NERPED) which have conducted experiments which analyzed their genetic patterns. Their results concluded that the right balance of tree cover and roads is the key to protecting these animals from urban growth. For example, in areas where tree cover falls below 30 percent, the genetic variability drops significantly, as with areas containing major highways. In order to maintain their genetic diversity, koalas must leave the trees to find a mate. This poses huge risks to these animals as civilization expands into their natural habitat.
Koalas are an Australian icon and therefore will always have plenty of support when it comes to their safety. The part of this article that I was drawn to the most were the organizations' suggestions, which included habitat bridges and underpasses beneath highways. These are great suggestions and I believe that they could absolutely help the koalas cross roadways to reduce the number of individuals struck by automobiles.

The original article can be found here.
A link to the Australian Koala Foundation can be found here.

Cute and Cuddly Koalas- Dead from Chlamydia

Researchers have been pondering the question “Why do some koalas die from Chlamydia and an AIDs-like retrovirus where as others manage to avid contracting the sexually transmitted diseases?” Well the use of condoms were obviously not the reason, it seems the answer lies rather with genetics. Unfortunately public health officials will not be able to claim responsibility for the decrease in STD’s in Koalas. Scientists based in Australia have found a gene they call the “interferon gamma (IFN-g) gene” that appears to help boost koala immune systems.

While koalas contracting Chlamydia seems to be rather comical, it is actually leading the population towards extinction at an alarming rate. Over half of the koalas in nature have Chlamydia. Chlamydia can lead to infertility, infections, blindness and death. The infection with Chlamydia also opens the door for an AID’s-like retrovirus called immunity-compromising koala retrovirus (KoRV). This combination is proving especially dangerous to these cute and cuddly animals, which actually smell surprisingly good. Koalas have now been placed on the threatened species list. Populations have dropped by at least forty percent, as high as eighty percent in some areas.

Scientists were surprised to find that the koalas in the state of Victoria seemed to be rather unaffected by these diseases. Recent research has reveled that these koalas have the IFN-g gene that allows them to have a much higher natural immunity to these infections. It is possible that this gene may be able to be developed into a vaccination. Researchers hope to be able to develop an effective vaccination or treatment within a few years in hopes of saving koalas.

Original Article- http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/extinction-countdown/2013/04/16/chlamydia-killing-koalas-genetics-cure/

Additional Article- http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2013/apr/21/koala-deaths-chlamydia-retrovirus-vaccine-genome

Insights Into the Koala’s Genetic Challenge

In the NY Times Koalas have been studied by many scientists in regards to their genetic diversity. One main poit is that these animals have been said to have a very low genetic diversity. At first the thought of the 19t century fur trade could have been the reason for the declined population of koalas. When doing further research, there has been more of this low genetic diversity to have been due to from awhile into the past.

[caption id="attachment_5765" align="aligncenter" width="190" caption="Koala"][/caption]

Before the fur-trapping incidents in Australia there has been much more of a reason for the decline in these animals. Koalas have been continuously known in facing a disease which is known as koala retrovirus, also known as KoRV. This is compared closely H.I.V., which goes hand in hand with chlamydia. This has been going on for years throughout the koala species. The koalas are unable to adapt to their environment due to a gene variation which was further looked into by scientists. The scientists looked up DNA from fourteen different koala specimens. Throughout the koalas there has been a common haplotype. There is a unique sequence of mitochondrial DNA that has not been any different since the year of 1870. Modern day koalas have had the same uniqueness among them compared to the koalas in the past. The KoRV was also similarly found in the koalas from the past as well as the modern day ones. This made the assumption that there could have been a genetic drift occurred from a much longer time ago. The hunting could have definitely had an effect but another reason from the past could have been a more major reason.

[caption id="attachment_5767" align="aligncenter" width="370" caption="Koala Fur Trade (moved to Queensland at the time)"][/caption]

Hopefully more research can be done by scientists to figure out whether or not a type of gene therapy can be provided for these animals. Further investigations are being made in order to find koalas free from this virus. Possibly there can be a healthier genetic diversity among the koalas.