The kangaroo bear genome has been sequenced , making the cuddly creature only the fourth pouched mammal to get this treatment . The work could assist in saving the threatened species from two of its great threat , and has provided an abundance of surprising final result biologists will explore for decennary . However , geneticists had to get over an unexpected obstacle when they find the DNA in koala line of descent is unusually hard to episode .
Not long ago revealing the entire genome of an animal was such an enormous enterprise there was a major disputation as to whether to make the possum or the Tamar wallaby the first pouched mammal to have the honor . The prevalence of research facilities in North America overpower the brush kangaroo ’s status as a more representative species , but both are now done .
Sequencing has become wanton and more precise since , butDr Rebecca Johnsonof the Australian Museum told IFLScience it was still a challenge to collect the resource postulate to add native bear to the list . The paper inNature Geneticsannouncing the near - concluded succession has 54 source .
The koala ’s status as both iconic and threatened gotitprioritized , but Johnson and her co - authors hit a snag when they tried to use deoxyribonucleic acid from koalas ’ blood , as usually pass . The low - quality jumble produce was poor for the third generation sequencing the team hop to apply , forcing them to wait until sick koalas were euthanized so they could pull deoxyribonucleic acid from their organs . Johnson tell IFLScience the reason normal proficiency do n’t shape are unclear , but may relate to their blood ’s high lipid immersion .
Eventually , three unfortunate beasts were found that were to be put down , in two case because they were so ravaged withchlamydia . Out of this woe , Johnson and co - authors made something positive . Nevertheless , the difficulties contributed to the sequenced brute ' limited variety .
The chlamydia menace is one reason koalas were prioritized for sequencing , as an understanding of the genes for their immune systems should assistvaccine design . The project could be even more utilitarian against a less well - empathize threat , the kangaroo bear retrovirus . The computer virus enclose itself into the Phascolarctos cinereus genome , sometimes in more than a hundred places , and the sequencing could help us separate between dangerous and less harmful versions .
Unfortunately , there is no means sequencing can call the individual big threat koala bear face , destruction and fragmentation of their habitat , particularly in northern parts of their range .
The project reveal the koala has around 26,000 genes , slightly more than humans , and not surprisingly those aspects dedicated to detoxifying eucalyptus tree oil are prominent , with heavy saying in the liver .
Like other marsupials , koala are born exceptionally underdeveloped and vulnerable , lacking a functioning immune organization to protect them . " We identified genes that allow the koala to finetune Milk River protein composition across the phase of lactation , to meet the changing needs of their young , " authorProfessor Kathy Belovof the University of Sydney say in astatement .
Some of the protein found in the milk have never been picture before in other mammals and may protect the joey against bacterial and fungal diseases . Replicating these could improve the natural selection prospects of orphaned joeys , but may also provide a start point for those looking for newfangled classes of antibiotics .
The study also revealed koalas go through a sharp universe decline 30 - 40,000 years ago , around the sentence much of Australia ’s megafauna die out out , although Johnson told IFLScience the effort are unclear .
The use of third generation sequence proficiency think of the program is guess at 95.1 percent complete , gamey than any other marsupial , and almost match the human genome , despite the vast work we have put into study ourselves .
