Bilatzailea
A team of researchers at Pennsylvania State University manages to decode 70% of the genome of a mammoth. It is the first time that almost the entire genome of an extinct animal has been decoded.
The data obtained have confirmed the conclusions of this same group three years ago. Then, they sequenced the DNA of the mammoth mitochondria and the information received concluded that in Siberia there were two mammoth species, which six million years ago separated from the elephants. However, the mitochondria genome is very limited, i.e. it has very little genome and the results of this research were not satisfied by the paleontologist.
The conclusions are the same in current research, investigating the DNA of the nuclei. To carry out this study the researchers bought the material on the internet, specifically on the eBay website. A Russian bought a series of mammoth hairs for sale. According to scientists, hair is a better source of DNA than bone, because it is less likely to be bacteria or fungi.
Illustration: S. W. Marcus/Exhibit Llc.
Photo: S. C. Schuster
Oihane Lakar Iraizoz
Elhuyar Zientzia Elhuyar Fundazioko Zientziaren Komunikazioa sailean ari da lanean 2006ko urriaz geroztik. Elhuyar Zientzia eta Teknologia aldizkarian ia hilabetero artikuluak argitaratzen ditu, eta Basque Research webguneko arduraduna eta erredaktorea ere bada. Euskal Herrian egiten den ikerketaren berri ematen du Basque Researchek. Biologian lizentziatua da, Leioako EHUn egin zituen ikasketak, eta, Elhuyar Fundazioan baino lehen, Bertiz Jaurerria Parke Naturalean aritu zen lanean, bisitariei harrera egiten eta ingurunea zaintzen.
