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11/09: The sea urchin revealed
Consortium, including BC Cancer Agency scientists, completes sequencing of sea urchin
The Sea Urchin Genome Sequencing Consortium, which includes scientists from the BC Cancer Agency’s Genome Sciences Centre, announced today the sequence and analysis of the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. The findings will be published in the November 10 issue of Science.
Researchers discovered that the sea urchin has an estimated 23,300 genes with representatives of nearly all vertebrate gene families. Some genes thought to be specific to vertebrates were also found in this invertebrate marine organism.
“The sea urchin is a very important model for molecular, evolutionary, developmental and cell biology,” says Dr. Marco Marra, Director of the BC Cancer Agency’s Genome Sciences Centre and member of the consortium. “The genome sequence data for the sea urchin will accelerate research into how organisms – and possibly cancers – develop.”
Among other key findings is that orthologs (any gene found in two or more species traced to a common ancestor) of many human disease-associated genes were found in the sea urchin. This organism also has orthologs of genes associated with vision, hearing, balance, and chemical senses in vertebrates, suggesting unknown sensory capabilities.
The sea urchin genome is one of about 30 genomes the BC Cancer Agency’s Genome Sciences Centre’s mapping team has mapped in the last six years. The total amount of DNA mapped by this group is on the order of thirty billion base pairs, making the BC Cancer Agency’s Genome Sciences Centre among the foremost mapping groups in the world.
The National Human Genome Research Institute at the National Institutes of Health provided funding to the BC Cancer Agency’s Genome Sciences Centre to undertake genome mapping for this sea urchin study.
The BC Cancer Agency’s Genome Sciences Centre's vision is to minimize the burden of cancer on individuals and society through genomics research, and the application of genomics technologies. The BC Cancer Agency’s Genome Sciences Centre is home to Canada's largest DNA sequencing, BAC fingerprint mapping and bioinformatics facilities, and was the first laboratory in the world to sequence the coronavirus associated with SARS.
The BC Cancer Agency, an Agency of the Provincial Health Services Authority, is committed to reducing the incidence of cancer, reducing the mortality from cancer, and improving the quality of life of those living with cancer. It provides a comprehensive cancer control program for the people of British Columbia by working with community partners to deliver a range of oncology services, including prevention, early detection, diagnosis and treatment, research, education, supportive care, rehabilitation and palliative care. The BC Cancer Foundation raises funds to support research and enhancements to patient care at the BC Cancer Agency.
For more information, please contact:
Jinny Wu
Communications Specialist
BC Cancer Agency
604.877.6272
Toll-free: 1.800.663.3333, ex 6272
jwu2@bccancer.bc.ca
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