Diving Into the Brittle Star Genome to Understand the Evolution of Regeneration
The sequenced genome of the brittle star revealed unique gene arrangements and provides insights into ancient genes involved in limb regeneration. Originally published at The Scientist by Sneha Khedkar, on Nov 22, 2024 As mist lingers over a Swedish fjord lined with towering, forested cliffs, a group of scientists collect mud from the bottom of the turquoise-colored waters . They’re after brittle stars —marine animals with long, slender, serpent-like arms—to peek into the genes that give them distinct characteristics, including the power of regeneration . ABOVE: Scientists have sequenced the genome of the brittle star Amphiura filiformis . Fredrik Pleijel (University of Gothenburg) Brittle stars belong to the phylum Echinodermata, which includes sea stars, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, and sea lilies. While the genomes of these other echinoderm classes have been characterized, Ferdinand Marlétaz , an evolutionary biologist at University College London , noted,...