Monthly Archives: May 2017

May 16, 2017 Credit: Harry Taylor, Natural History Museum

Scientists from the University of Aberdeen are part of an international team which has been working to better understand the biology of a snail species that transmits a disease infecting 200 million people, killing around 200,000 each year in developing countries.

Schistosomiasis, also known as 'snail fever' or bilharzia, ranks second only to malaria in impact of a parasitic disease on human global health. It is caused by parasites (schistosomes) contracted from tropical freshwater snails, the most significant of which is 'Biomphalaria glabrata', subject of the large scale genome study published in Nature Communications this week.

The consortium led by the University of New Mexico, is made up of over 100 academics from across Europe, the USA, Africa and Australia. The UK consortium consists of scientists from the universities of Aberdeen, Aberystwyth, Brunel, Kingston, Westminster, the Natural History Museum, London (WHO Collaborating Centre), and the European Bioinformatics Institute.

Scientists have identified a number of crucial processes in the snail's biology that is helping them to understand how it transmits this lethal parasite, enabling them to uncover new ways to potentially stop transmission.

The Aberdeen University team, led by Dr Catherine Jones (who represents the UK consortium on the international steering committee), Dr Les Noble and Dr Anne Lockyer, working in collaboration with colleagues at Brunel University, are largely concerned with characterising snail genes which, amongst other functions, detoxify mollusc pesticides and control reproductive processes.

This information promises new control strategies; for example, design of novel selective pesticides which inhibit specific detoxification genes which may allow targeting of only this species of freshwater snail.

Conventional mollusc pesticides have a broad spectrum effect, also killing fish and other aquatic life crucial to maintain the healthy ecosystems on which local people are dependent.

Additionally, the increased knowledge of genes involved in snail reproduction could allow development of strategies which disrupt egg production and so limit numbers.

Dr Jones, from the University's School of Biological Sciences, said: "This disease is a gigantic problem for global health killing around 200,000 people each year and blighting the lives of millions more. Children are particularly susceptible to the disease, as they tend to be in closer contact with water infected by the parasite.

"Our team and the wider international consortium have for the first time analysed the entire genetic make up of this nuisance species, and as a result now have a much better understanding of this snail's biology, and how they transmit the disease.

"Going forward, we can suggest specific strategies which could be explored further with a view to, hopefully, reducing transmission of schistosomiasis, helping the World Health Organisation in its aim to eliminate this disease by 2025."

Explore further: New protein could be key in fighting debilitating parasitic disease

More information: Coen M. Adema et al. Whole genome analysis of a schistosomiasis-transmitting freshwater snail, Nature Communications (2017). DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15451

A naturally occurring protein has been discovered that shows promise as a biocontrol weapon against schistosomiasis, one of the world's most prevalent parasitic diseases, Oregon State University researchers reported today ...

Large-scale programmes to treat a life-threatening disease could improve the health of millions despite concerns about their long-term effects, a study suggests.

Schistosomiasis (also known as snail fever) affects more than 250 million people worldwide. Individuals become infected after skin contact with the schistosome parasite in contaminated water, and, without treatment, experience ...

Researchers at Oregon State University have discovered a group of genes in one species of snail that provide a natural resistance to the flatworm parasite that causes schistosomiasis, and opens the door to possible new drugs ...

In the late 1970s, a new drug held the promise of wiping out a disease that currently affects more than 250 million people. Nearly 40 years later, the drug, praziquantel, has yet to make a dent in the global burden of schistosomiasis, ...

(Medical Xpress) -- Infections from certain parasites can compromise the immune system, leaving it less able to fight other diseases.

Large families and strong social ties help animals live longer, new research suggests.

The beginnings of agriculture changed human history and has fascinated scientists for centuries.

Clocks and calendars, sports scores and stock-market tickers - our society is saturated with numbers. One of the first things we teach our children is to count, just as we teach them their ABCs. But is this evidence of a ...

Human teeth evolved from the same genes that make the bizarre beaked teeth of the pufferfish, according to new research by an international team of scientists.

Scientists from the University of Aberdeen are part of an international team which has been working to better understand the biology of a snail species that transmits a disease infecting 200 million people, killing around ...

Findings of a new study solve a key mystery about the chemistry of how plants tell time so they can flower and metabolize nutrients.

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Understanding the chemical commerce of this species, the species-specific pheromones it produces for various life needs, would enable their use in eliminating this beautiful snail. Remember that pheromones are both species specific and synergistic (not unlike fish oil benefits).

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Scientists decode genome of deadly tropical snail - Phys.Org

Who owns the genome of a cow? That is, the complete genetic material encoded in the DNA of the animal.

That's the basis of hearing underway this week before the Federal Court in Melbourne.

In 2010, the Australian Patent Office granted a patent titled 'Compositions, methods and systems for inferring bovine traits', to commodities giant Cargill USA and Branhaven LLC.

When Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA) found out about the patent early last year it launched an appeal along with Dairy Australia.

MLA believes the patent's broad claims potentially mean it extends to around two thirds of the bovine genome, including almost every economically valuable trait, such as beef tenderness, marbling in meat, and milk production.

It has raised serious concern at MLA and Dairy Australia because the two organisations invest a significant amount of their levy payers' money into cattle research, with an increasing focus on genomics.

The organisations believe the patent will maintain the high price of genomic testing for beef and dairy farmers, while also having a chilling effect on Australian research into cattle genomics.

Barrister Katrina Howard SC, on behalf of MLA, argued before Justice Jonathan Beach on Monday that the claims in the patent granted to Cargill USA and Branhaven LLC used scientific and statistical tools that would have been well known and understood by a person skilled in genomic mapping at the patent's priority date, 2003.

But on Tuesday, Branhaven's legal counsel argued the methods used to identify these traits had never been used at the time of the patent's priority date, that they were theoretical at the time, and their significant investment in applying them and identifying the traits represents a real invention.

Two years ago, the High Court unanimously ruled a patent could not be granted over genetic information, because it is a discovery of nature, not an invention.

Cargill Australia is not defending MLA's appeal, but the USA-based parent company is the joint owner of the patent. In the courtroom this week, only Branhaven's legal representatives are fighting the appeal.

Information about Branhaven is sparse, but in joint press releases with Cargill USA, it is described as a "private holding company focused on acquiring companies with strong intellectual properties".

Today the court will hear evidence from a panel of expert geneticists from Australia and the USA, who'll give evidence in a 'hot tub', or concurrent style.

The hearing will run until Thursday with a decision to be handed down later.

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Legal fight over cattle genome underway in Melbourne's Federal Court - ABC Online

MSUToday

$1.5M NSF grant to explore secrets of electric fish genome MSUToday Electric fish have been a model biology system since the 18th century. Their potential, though, has been mostly isolated to neurological studies. Thanks to the recent availability of electric fish genome sequences, Michigan State University researchers ... and more »

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$1.5M NSF grant to explore secrets of electric fish genome - MSUToday

Q. How do you view the relationship between history and theology when it comes to Adams existence, his sin, the Fall etc.?

A. I am purposefully ambiguous if not agnostic because I cant make up my mind on the basis of the Bible. There are elements in the Bible the genealogies for instance that suggest a real man and historical person. There are other elements in Gen 1-3, like a talking snake, a man named Dusty and a woman named Momma of all Living Beings that sound like ANE stories in some ways. The genre, as you know, of Gen 1-11 is a much debated question but after reading the discussions I simply dont know what to decide. I see the text functioning as a revelation of the vocation of Adam and Eve in this world; I see it telling us that humans are exiled for their sins; I see it telling us that Adam and Eves sin followed by a murdering son; these are what I see. As such, I side with the many Jewish texts that inform us Adam was seen as a moral archetypal human who was told how to live before God and chose not to. I dont oppose original sin etc but Im unconvinced anyone in the Bible explicitly teaches it. Im not Eastern and Im not Western; Im convinced that Adam and Eve sinned and Im convinced the Bible says we are sinners and need redemption.

Q. In evaluating the genetics arguments in the first half of the book, if you were to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the argument of Dennis Venema from a Biblical and theological point of view, what would you say?

A. Nothing, I like what Dennis wrote.

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Adam and the Genome The Dialogue Part Three - Patheos (blog)

Researchers have used whole genome sequencing to identify DNA abnormalities that cause genetic diseases in cats, such as progressive retinal atrophy and Niemann-Pick type 1, a fatal disorder in domestic felines.

Whole genome sequencing, which is the process of determining an organisms complete DNA sequence, can be used to identify DNA anomalies that cause disease. Identifying disease-causing DNA abnormalities allows clinicians to better predict an effective course of treatment for the patient.

Findings from the studies could help feline preservationists implement breeding strategies in captivity for rare and endangered species such as the African black-footed cat.

The researchers worked with the 99 Lives Cat Genome Sequencing Consortium to identify the genetic variants. Leslie Lyons, a professor of comparative medicine in the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Missouri, established the project to improve health care for cats through research.

The database has genetically sequenced more than 50 felines and includes DNA from cats with and without known genetic health problems. The goal of the database is to identify DNA that causes genetic disorders and have a better understanding of how to treat diseases.

In the first study, Lyons and her team used the 99 Lives consortium to identify a genetic mutation that causes blindness in the African black-footed cat, an endangered species often found in US zoos.

The team sequenced three catstwo unaffected parents and an affected offspringto determine if the mutation was inherited or spontaneous. The genetic mutation identified was located the IQCB1 gene and is associated with progressive retinal atrophy, an inherited degenerative retinal disorder that leads to blindness. The affected cat had two copies of the genetic mutation, indicating that it was an inherited disorder.

African black-footed cats are closely related to domestic cats, so it was a good opportunity to use the 99 Lives database, Lyons says.

When sequencing DNA, we are looking for the high priority variants, or genetic mutations that result in disease. Variants in the IQCB1 gene are known to cause retinal degeneration in humans. We evaluated each gene of the African black-footed cat, one at a time, to look for the genetic mutation that is associated with vision loss.

In another study representing the first time precision medicine has been applied to feline health, Lyons and her team used whole genome sequencing and the 99 Lives consortium to identify a lysosomal disorder in a 36-week-old silver tabby kitten that was referred to the university Veterinary Health Center.

The kitten was found to have two copies of a mutation in the NPC1 gene, which causes Niemman-Pick type 1, a fatal disorder. The NCP1 gene identified is not a known variant in humans; it is a rare mutation to the feline population.

Genetics of the patient is a critical aspect of an individuals health care for some diseases, Lyons says. Continued collaboration with geneticists and veterinarians could lead to the rapid discovery of undiagnosed genetic conditions in cats. The goal of genetic testing is to identify disease early, so that effective and proactive treatment can be administered to patients.

Identification of both the IQCB1 gene in the African black-footed cat and the NCP1 in the silver tabby will help to diagnose other cats and allow them to receive appropriate treatment. Using results of the black-footed cat study, zookeepers will be implementing species survival plans to help manage the cats in captivity in North America.

The first studyappears in Scientific Reports. Funding came fromthe University of Missouri, College of Veterinary Medicine Clinician Scientific Grant. The second study is publishedin the Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine.

Source: University of Missouri

Read more here:
Genomes reveal cause of disease in rare cats - Futurity - Futurity: Research News