Opium poppy

Papaver somniferum, the opium poppy, is a medicinal and ornamental plant known for producing pharmacologically important benzylisoquinoline alkaloids such as morphine and codeine. Its poppy seeds are used for culinary applications as breads and cakes. This is because the alkaloids are mainly concentrated in the latex of the immature capsule, while mature seeds contain negligible…

Whale shark

The whale shark, is the largest fish in the world. Its genome presents long neuron-related genes as some other long-lived organisms. 10.1186/s12864-017-3926-9 Author: Tomas González Dantas

Urinary blood fluke

Urinary schistosomiasis has afflicted humans for over 5,000 years. Ancient Egyptian papyri record “bloody urine” (parasite eggs were found in mummies dating to 1250–1000 BC) and in 1798 Napoleon’s soldiers dubbed Egypt “the land of menstruating men” due to widespread haematuria. 10.1038/ng.1065 Author: Oscar Gonzalo Figueredo

Great white shark

Carcharodon carcharias, the great white shark has a high capacity to heal wounds, a key factor in its lifespan of 73 years. Its genome reveals molecular adaptations and positive selection of key genes involved in wound healing. 10.1073/pnas.1819778116 Author: Oscar Santamaria

Cronobacter sakazakii

Gram-negative encapsulated bacillus, opportunistic emerging pathogen. Outbreaks have been associated with the consumption of infant formula (powdered milk). It is capable of forming biofilms on baby bottles and latex nipples, leading to meningitis, bacteremia, necrotizing enterocolitis, or meningoencephalitis in neonates and immunocompromised individuals. Its mortality rate ranges from 40–80%, and it may result in neurological…

Whitespotted bambooshark

Chiloscyllium plagiosum, the whitespotted bambooshark, is a nocturnal reef-dwelling and small species (with a length of 24-37 inches). Its genome size is larger than a whale shark. Zhang Y, Gao H, Li H, Guo J, Ouyang B, Wang M, et al. (November 2020). “The White-Spotted Bamboo Shark Genome Reveals Chromosome Rearrangements and Fast-Evolving Immune Genes…

Beet

Beta vulgaris, the beet, is cultivated for its colorful, fleshy roots and nutritious leaves rich in fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants. Its genome is diploid and encodes genes important for sugar production, making it a vital crop in temperate regions worldwide. J. C., Minoche, A. E., Holtgräwe, D., Capella-Gutiérrez, S., Zakrzewski, F., Tafer, H., Rupp, O.,…

B. bacteriovorus

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is a gram-negative bacteria predator of other gram-negative bacteria. Its genome has not shown recent gene transfer from its prey, and its sequencing can aid in the development of antimicrobial agents. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.1093027 (01/30/2004) Author: Roger Manzano Rosado

Nanoarchaeum equitans

Nanoaechaeum equitans is the archea specie with the smallest genome length. Its genome is so short that this microorganism needs another organism to live: Iggniococcus hospitalis. Then, it is an epibiont. Its evolutionary interest is due to the fact that we can study the minimum viable genomes in addition to its survival in extremophile environments…

European eel

Its body is covered in a slimy mucus layer and its coloration ranges from olive-brown to yellowish on the belly. They live in freshwater but migrate to the sea to spawn. Specifically, they are born in the Sargasso Sea, then drift thousands of kilometers across the ocean to European rivers, where they spend most of…