Bat Genome: Pteropus Vampyrus

Dr Lynne Nazareth, Human Genome Sequencing Center, Houston & Dr Marcia Lara, MIT/The Broad Institute Center for Genome Research.
Period: 2005

Human Genome Sequencing In an effort to better understand the human genome and the evolutionary changes it has undergone, the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) has chosen nine mammal species as well as 4 non-mammalian species for its Large-Scale Sequencing Research Network. Among the mammals chosen are two bats: a megabat (Megaciroptera) and a microbat (Microchiroptera species). Lubee was asked to provide a Cynopteris brachyotis specimen, but the amount of organ tissue required for the analyses was more than a small 30 g bat could supply, thus we supplied a specimen of Pteropus vampyrus. Work on the bat sequencing is be carried out by NHGRI supported institutions. More information about the project can be found by downloading a short Science article pdf and visiting the NHGRI’s website at www.genome.gov.