Horse Genome Sequenced

[crazedACD]

http://blogs.usatoday.com/sciencefai...sequenced.html

Scientists have sequenced a high-quality draft of the genome of the domestic horse, Equus caballus.

The research suggests that when horses were first domesticated, between 4,000 and 6,000 years ago, it was from a relatively large number of females, but very few males. The researchers also looked at differing horse breeds and found them to be genetically very similar.
Horses genes turn out to be quite similar to human genes. About 53% of horse genes appear on chromosomes in the same order as found on human chromosomes. That similarity might allow scientist to use horses as models for human illnesses. There are more than 90 hereditary conditions that affect both humans and horses, including infertility, inflammatory diseases and muscle disorders.

"Having access to multiple genome sequences makes it easier to understand all genomes, including our own," says James Murray, a professor of animal science who has worked with the Horse Genome Project since its inception in 1995. "By looking at the horse genome, we can better understand human biology and human diseases."
The paper is in the Nov. 6 issue of Science. The research was conducted by scientists at The Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, together with an international team of researchers including scientists at the University of California, Davis. The team completed a first draft of the sequence in 2007.
The horse whose genome was sequenced is a thoroughbred mare named Twilight, owned by Cornell University.

Pretty cool, though I'm a little more hung up on more horses being used to be tested on and what not. Dosen't quite sit well with me!

[KatzNK9]

Interesting stuff ... thanks for the share.