The Rothschild giraffe combines extreme adaptations and unique mutations, such as in the FGFRL1 gene. These grant it resistance to the extreme hypertension caused by its long neck and are also associated with an increase in bone mineral density, which is essential for its body structure. DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe9459 Authors: Laura Martín Zamora, Mercè Pons Rigo,…
Class: Mammalia
Weddell seal
Leptonychotes weddellii, the Weddell seal, is one of the world’s southernmost mammals and can dive for up to ~90 minutes and over 300 m deep. Its genome reveals strong adaptations in lipid metabolism and hypoxia-tolerance enabling deep, cold dives. DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03089-2; published on 17/02/2022. Authors: Iker Álvarez Coca, Jone Eizagirre Galarraga, Júlia Pérez Vilardell, Nerea Rubio…
Chinese hamster
CHO cells (from the Chinese hamster ovary) are one of the most widely used cell lines in biotechnology because they glycosylate human proteins well and are very safe to culture. For this reason, they are currently used to produce most biological medicines, such as antibodies and hormones. The first article where the genome is assembled…
Golden/Syrian hamster
Mesocricetus auratus is a key model in biomedical research. Its genome closely resembles that of humans in genes related to diseases such as COVID-19. When infected with SARS-CoV-2, it reduces energy consumption and body temperature, reproducing human symptoms and helping to understand how the virus affects metabolism. Authors: Carme Cañizares Bruguera, Xiomara García Marcos, Lorena…
Brown bear
Brown bears can enter a metabolic state similar to hibernation even outside the cave, and their genome reveals genes associated with the ability to “switch off” processes such as muscle degradation and bone loss. This makes them a fascinating biological model for studying human diseases such as osteoporosis or muscle atrophy, as they spend months…
Pashmina goat
Capra hirucs, commonly know as the Pashmina goat, is a domestic breed from the Indian Himalayas, known for its fine fiber and extreme cold and high-altitude adpatation. Its genome is about 2.94Gb, contains 26,687 coding genes, and has a high proportion of repetive DNA (49%). DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.695178 Authors: Hong Ting Martin Martínez, Laia Sanchez Albareda,…
Egyptian spiny mouse
Acomys cahirinus, known as Egyptian spiny mouse, is remarkable for its ability to heal tissues, regenerate organs and restore skeletal muscle. In addition, it is one of the few rodent species that menstruates, a highly unusual trait in this group. DOI: 10.1093/g3journal/jkad177 Publication date: 08/08/2023 Authors: Ainhoa Llambies Roig, Naila Lorente Gil, Noelia Bellón izquierdo,…
Black-footed cat
The black-footed cat is the tiniest feline in Africa, and one of the smallest in the world, measuring about 40 cm, with an impressive body weight of 1.9 kg. Unlike most felines, they’re poor climbers, instead they dig in the sand to take refuge in burrows. The black-footed cat is endemic to the arid grasslands…
Capybara
Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris, the capybara, is the largest living rodent and is highly social, often found in groups near water bodies in South America. Its genome reveals adaptations to a semi-aquatic lifestyle and unique mechanisms of cancer resistance despite its large body size. DOI: 10.1093/gbe/evaa157 Author: Amelie
Snow leopard
Panthera uncia, the snow leopard, is a solitary and elusive big cat adapted to cold mountainous regions, with thick fur, powerful limbs, and a long tail that aids in balance. Its genome reveals adaptations to high-altitude environments, such as genes related to oxygen transport and energy metabolism, as well as evolutionary links to other big…