Navigation Links
Mutant gene responsible for pigeons' head crests
Date:1/31/2013

Scientists have decoded the genetic blueprint of the rock pigeon, unlocking secrets about pigeons' Middle East origins, feral pigeons' kinship with escaped racing birds and how mutations give pigeons traits like feather head crests.

"Birds are a huge part of life on Earth, but we know surprisingly little about their genetics," says Michael Shapiro, one of the study's two principal authors and a biologist at the University of Utah.

In the new study, "we've shown a way forward to find the genetic basis of traits--the molecular mechanisms controlling animal diversity in pigeons," he says. "Using this approach, we expect to be able to do this for other traits in pigeons, and it can be applied to other birds and many other animals as well."

The findings appear in a paper published this week in the online journal Science Express.

Shapiro conducted the research with Jun Wang of China's BGI-Shenzhen (formerly Beijing Genomics Institute) and other scientists from BGI, the University of Utah, Denmark's University of Copenhagen and the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

"The research identified the genes contributing to variation in the avian head crest, using the domesticated pigeons that so fascinated and inspired Charles Darwin in developing his theory of natural selection," says George Gilchrist, program director in the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Division of Environmental Biology, which funded the research. "This finding illustrates the power of comparative genomics."

Pigeons were domesticated some 5,000 years ago in the Mediterranean region. Key results of this study include sequencing of the genome of the rock pigeon Columba livia, which is among the most common bird species.

There are some 350 breeds of rock pigeons--all with different sizes, shapes, colors, color patterns, beaks, bone structure, vocalizations and arrangements of feathers on the feet and head--in
'/>"/>

Contact: Cheryl Dybas
cdybas@nsf.gov
703-292-7734
National Science Foundation
Source:Eurekalert  

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2 3 4

Related biology news :

1. Researchers generate a mutant mouse model useful in the treatment of neuromuscular diseases
2. Artificial intelligence helps detect subtle differences in mutant worms
3. First in the world - Singapore scientists discover genes responsible for cornea blindness
4. Scientists sequence genome of pathogen responsible for pneumocystis pneumonia
5. Fungus responsible for 5 deaths in the wake of massive tornado
6. Research identifies mechanism responsible for eye movement disorder
7. Scientists discover new type of virus responsible for a devastating disease in snakes
8. A deeper look into the pathogen responsible for crown gall disease in plants
9. New research finds increased growth responsible for color changes in coral reefs
10. Sports and energy drinks responsible for irreversible damage to teeth
11. Fertilizer use responsible for increase in nitrous oxide in atmosphere
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email:
Related Image:
Mutant gene responsible for pigeons' head crests
(Date:5/20/2013)... compound abundant in the Mediterranean diet takes away cancer ... a very specific step in gene regulation, this compound ... as scheduled. , One way that cancer cells thrive ... to die on a regular cycle that is subject ... Ohio State University researchers, found that a compound in ...
(Date:5/20/2013)... New Geology articles posted online ... cover a wide swath of geoscience subdisciplines, including ... and paleobotany. Locations studied include Siberia; the Sumatran ... Apuane, Italy; Ukraine; Mars; and the Southeastern U.S. ... Rubies, jadeite, and plate tectonics;, 2. The clear ...
(Date:5/18/2013)... AGA Research Foundation is honored to announce the first ... Cancer, which will support Andrew D. Rhim, MD, from ... Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, as he furthers his research on the ... progression. , "The AGA Research Foundation is humbled to ... and AGA Legacy Society members," said Nicholas F. LaRusso, ...
Breaking Biology News(10 mins):The compound in the Mediterranean diet that makes cancer cells 'mortal' 2The compound in the Mediterranean diet that makes cancer cells 'mortal' 3New in GEOLOGY: Gems, Darwin, Mars, Hemp, Snowball Earth, a Siberian Impact Crater, and More 2New in GEOLOGY: Gems, Darwin, Mars, Hemp, Snowball Earth, a Siberian Impact Crater, and More 3New in GEOLOGY: Gems, Darwin, Mars, Hemp, Snowball Earth, a Siberian Impact Crater, and More 4New in GEOLOGY: Gems, Darwin, Mars, Hemp, Snowball Earth, a Siberian Impact Crater, and More 5New in GEOLOGY: Gems, Darwin, Mars, Hemp, Snowball Earth, a Siberian Impact Crater, and More 6New in GEOLOGY: Gems, Darwin, Mars, Hemp, Snowball Earth, a Siberian Impact Crater, and More 7New in GEOLOGY: Gems, Darwin, Mars, Hemp, Snowball Earth, a Siberian Impact Crater, and More 8New in GEOLOGY: Gems, Darwin, Mars, Hemp, Snowball Earth, a Siberian Impact Crater, and More 9New in GEOLOGY: Gems, Darwin, Mars, Hemp, Snowball Earth, a Siberian Impact Crater, and More 10New in GEOLOGY: Gems, Darwin, Mars, Hemp, Snowball Earth, a Siberian Impact Crater, and More 11AGA Research Foundation grant furthers digestive cancer research 2
... lines specifically tailored to match the nuclear DNA of patients, ... or spinal cord injury. , The research is being released ... non-profit science society, on the Science Express website on 19 ... of human disease in cells in the laboratory. The work ...
... of Science holds mixed blessings for scientists who follow ... study, conducted by scientists from Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical ... Germany, reveals important evidence that tells us more about ... hand, scientists offer caution in regards to the side ...
... study has discovered that two chemical compounds may help ... without invasive gene therapy. Presented March 5 at the ... demonstrates that the new chemicals activate telomerase -- a ... them to continue destroying HIV-infected cells. , "The immune ...
Cached Biology News:Scientists generate patient-specific stem cells, Science study says 2Scientists generate patient-specific stem cells, Science study says 3Scientists generate patient-specific stem cells, Science study says 4Science study holds implications for gene therapy and stem cell biology 2Science study holds implications for gene therapy and stem cell biology 3Two chemicals boost immune cells' ability to fight HIV without gene therapy 2
(Date:5/21/2013)... , May 21, 2013  Synthetic Biologics, Inc. (NYSE ... and treatment of serious infectious diseases, announced today that ... 2 nd Annual Marcum LLP MicroCap Conference on Thursday, ... at the Grand Hyatt Hotel. Mr. Riley is scheduled ... live webcast of Synthetic Biologics, presentation can be accessed by ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... May 21, 2013 NANONEX CORPORATION, ... solutions , today announced the successful delivery and ... system, the NX-M200B, to a major Japanese manufacturing ... a fully-automated, production-ready, advanced nanoimprint lithography tool that ... wafer and substrate sizes and types. Based on ...
(Date:5/21/2013)... SoundConnect is pleased to announce the release ... in Canada. Lync is the next generation of ... and organizations to collaborate and communicate much more easily ... the United States. With the progressive rollout of Lync ... Canada, SoundConnect now offers a complete Microsoft Lync solution ...
(Date:5/20/2013)... May 20, 2013 , ... Research Service (ARS) in treatment of mastitis ... , Trials to begin in the second half ... technology company Phosphagenics Limited (ASX: POH, OTCQX: ... (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) to develop and trial ...
Breaking Biology Technology:Synthetic Biologics to Present at the 2nd Annual Marcum LLP MicroCap Conference 2Nanonex Announces the Shipment and Installation of an Innovative Nanoimprint Lithography System for Fully Automated Manufacturing 2SoundConnect Announces Microsoft Lync Release in Canada 2SoundConnect Announces Microsoft Lync Release in Canada 3Phosphagenics Signs Research Agreement with the Agricultural Research Service 2
... , PHILADELPHIA and LONDON, July 22 ... compendium of pharmaceutical research and development statistics, the CMR International ... offers extended content including patent information and emerging trends in ... R&D Factbook provides the data that R&D companies need ...
... , CHICAGO, July 22 Research presented ... an assay developed by Abbott for simultaneous detection of both HIV antigens ... this study compared to HIV antibody-only assays. Earlier detection was shown ... , "The ability to use a blood test to diagnose ...
... , , ROCKVILLE, Md., ... ) today announced that the U.S. Government has exercised its option ... Strategic National Stockpile, to be delivered over a three-year period, beginning ... $151 million from this award as deliveries are completed. ...
Cached Biology Technology:Thomson Reuters Announces 2009 Edition of the CMR International Pharmaceutical R&D Factbook 2Abbott HIV Test Demonstrates Earlier Disease Detection 2Abbott HIV Test Demonstrates Earlier Disease Detection 3Human Genome Sciences Announces New Order for Raxibacumab (ABthrax(TM)) from U.S. Government 2Human Genome Sciences Announces New Order for Raxibacumab (ABthrax(TM)) from U.S. Government 3Human Genome Sciences Announces New Order for Raxibacumab (ABthrax(TM)) from U.S. Government 4Human Genome Sciences Announces New Order for Raxibacumab (ABthrax(TM)) from U.S. Government 5Human Genome Sciences Announces New Order for Raxibacumab (ABthrax(TM)) from U.S. Government 6
CELLine System cultivation flask (for secreted products)...
... The mini incubation trays ... used to screen antigens that ... membrane. Each tray has eight ... channels that accommodate strips cut ...
... Plasma Immunodepletion Kit specifically removes 20 of ... or serum in preparation for further proteomics ... the plasma proteome whether you use one- ... or go straight to mass spectrometry. This ...
... first siRNA sequence design software in 2001, ... tools consistent with new experimental strategies and ... RNAi. With the introduction of our ... OligoEngine is pleased to offer the most ...
Biology Products: