Marine biologists at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego have created a line of sea urchins whose genetic makeup is fully mapped and can be edited to study human disease genes. The creation of these new research model organisms will accelerate the pace of marine biomedical research.
Sea urchins, like fruit flies or lab rats, have been an organism used in research for more than a century. Even before this breakthrough, sea urchins led to the discovery of a protein family known as cyclins that guides division of cells. That knowledge went on to become the basis of current cancer treatments and earned cyclins discoverers a Nobel Prize.
Now Scripps marine biologist Amro Hamdoun and colleagues have taken this research to a new level by developing lines of sea urchins that can be used as genetic models using the gene editing technology known as CRISPR. The modified sea urchins are derived from the fast-growing species, Lytechinus pictus, also known as the painted sea urchin.
The team describes its results June 6 in the journal Development.
Hamdoun said the new sea urchins could serve as a new workhorse organism in marine biomedical research, capable of being cultivated to adulthood in four to six months at room temperature. Presently many species of sea urchins are used around the world to study the developmental origins of diseases, and the effects of pollutants on human and marine health. But few can be grown in the lab and genetically modified like other lab animals. Having this new genetically enabled urchin could dramatically enhance the efficiency, reproducibility, and utility of those studies.
Sea urchins have long been a favorite model organism for marine biologists, but they have been bottlenecked by not having stable genetics, Hamdoun said. This work breaks that final barrier. This genetically enabled urchin will be an important resource for the large community of researchers who use urchins in their labs.
The research was an unexpected silver lining from the COVID pandemic which impacted operations in research labs around the country for more than two years. In the case of Hamdouns lab, team members developed a sense of mission that motivated them to continue with the work.
It gave us something positive to focus on, Hamdoun said. The team spent two years intently focused on solving the barriers to making a genetically enabled sea urchin. Once we figured out how to make the precise modifications we wanted, we next had to figure out how to efficiently culture the urchins and select the modified animals. It is a real testament to the groups dedication that they accomplished this despite the adverse circumstances. I like to think that while many people were home growing cool things like houseplants or sourdough starters, we were also growing something interesting, but it was a biomedical research animal.
Besides Hamdoun, co-authors of the study included Himanshu Vyas, Jose Espinoza, Catherine Schrankel, Kasey Mitchell, Katherine Nesbit, Elliot Jackson, Nathan Chang, Yoon Lee, and Deirdre Lyons of Scripps Oceanography as well as researchers from University of North Carolina Charlotte and Wilmington campuses.
The National Institutes of Health Program on Oceans and Human Health and the National Science Foundation funded the research.
- Genetics - Definition, History and Impact | Biology Dictionary - June 2nd, 2024
- Gene | Definition, Structure, Expression, & Facts | Britannica - June 2nd, 2024
- Raha Kapoor's blue eyes remind fans of her great-grandfather, Raj Kapoor; here's what genetics says - IndiaTimes - December 30th, 2023
- Human genetics | Description, Chromosomes, & Inheritance - December 13th, 2023
- BASIC GENETICS INFORMATION - Understanding Genetics - NCBI Bookshelf - December 13th, 2023
- Introduction to Genetics - Open Textbook Library - December 13th, 2023
- "When them genetics kick in its all over" - NBA fans send in rib-tickling reactions as LeBron James attends Zhuri James' volleyball game -... - October 16th, 2023
- David Liu, chemist: We now have the technology to correct misspellings in our DNA that cause known genetic diseases - EL PAS USA - April 7th, 2023
- World Health Day 2023: Understanding the science of Epi-genetics and how to apply it in our daily lives - Free Press Journal - April 7th, 2023
- Genetics - National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) - March 29th, 2023
- GENETICS 101 - Understanding Genetics - NCBI Bookshelf - March 29th, 2023
- People always think Im skinny because of good genetics theyre shocked when they see what I used to lo... - The US Sun - March 29th, 2023
- Forensics expert explains 'genetic genealogy' process believed to be used in Kohberger's arrest - KTVB.com - January 6th, 2023
- Idaho student murders: What is genetic genealogy, a tool reportedly used to help capture the suspect? - FOX 10 News Phoenix - January 6th, 2023
- What is a Genetic Counselor and How Can They Help You Navigate Your Healthcare Journey? - ABC4.com - December 3rd, 2022
- Ancient Art and Genetics Reveal Origin of World's Most Expensive Spice - The Wire Science - June 26th, 2022
- Myriad Genetics Teams Up with Epic to Make Genetic Testing Accessible to More Patients with Electronic Health Record (EHR) Integration - GlobeNewswire - June 26th, 2022
- Obesity and genetics: Expert shares insights - Hindustan Times - June 26th, 2022
- Researchers discover genetic variants that increase Alzheimer's risk - WCVB Boston - June 26th, 2022
- Where science meets fiction: the dark history of eugenics - The Guardian - June 26th, 2022
- Clinical Conference: A Discussion with BASE10 Genetics - Skilled Nursing News - June 26th, 2022
- Genetics Really Said Copy And Paste: People Are Amazed At How Similar This Woman Looks To Her Dad In These 5 Recreation Photos - Bored Panda - June 26th, 2022
- 49 Genetic Variants That Increase the Risk of Varicose Veins Identified - Technology Networks - June 26th, 2022
- Genetic relationships and genome selection signatures between soybean cultivars from Brazil and United States after decades of breeding | Scientific... - June 26th, 2022
- Earlham woman loses weight with ChiroThin after her own doctor told her "genetics" wouldn't allow that to happen | Paid Content - Local 5 -... - June 26th, 2022
- Science and genetics used to boost Fernside farm - New Zealand Herald - June 26th, 2022
- Genetics-based guidelines to buying a bull at an auction - Farmer's Weekly SA - June 26th, 2022
- Polio: we're developing a safer vaccine that uses no genetic material from the virus - The Conversation - June 26th, 2022
- 7 lifestyle habits which can halve your risk of dementia - World Economic Forum - June 26th, 2022
- Addressing the 'Trust Factor': South Carolina Researchers Tackle Health Disparities Using Genetics - Physician's Weekly - June 8th, 2022
- Dumb luck, genetics? Why have some people never caught COVID-19? | Daily Sabah - Daily Sabah - June 8th, 2022
- Genetic Control Of Autoimmune Disease Mapped To Cellular Level - Bio-IT World - June 8th, 2022
- Bazelet to Supply Its Federally Legal Cannabis Genetics to DEA Approved Research Entities for Rigorous Scientific Research on the Clinical Effects of... - June 8th, 2022
- Alameda County Awaits Key Decision Regarding The Use of Genetic Testing in Asbestos Cases - JD Supra - June 8th, 2022
- Diversity in Genetic Research Is Key to Enhancing Treatment of Chronic Diseases in Africa - Technology Networks - June 8th, 2022
- CSU partners with American Hereford Association on genetics research - Beef Magazine - June 8th, 2022
- Unraveling the Tangled History of Polar Bears to Brown Bears Using Genetic Sequencing - Nature World News - June 8th, 2022
- Did My Lifestyle or Genetics Cause ATTR-CM? Learning More About This Heart Condition That Often Goes Misdiagnosed - SurvivorNet - June 8th, 2022
- Your genes affect your education. Here's why that's controversial. - Big Think - June 8th, 2022
- Study mines cancer genetics to help with targeted treatment - ABC News - April 26th, 2022
- It's in the genetics - Deccan Herald - April 26th, 2022
- Genetic, clinic and histopathologic characterization of BRCA-associated hereditary breast and ovarian cancer in southwestern Finland | Scientific... - April 26th, 2022
- Treating, preventing cancer beyond genetics: U of A researcher - Edmonton Journal - April 26th, 2022
- Lionheart Cannabis' genetic strains stand the test of time - Billings Gazette - April 26th, 2022
- PhD Candidate in Rare Genetic Diseases job with NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - NTNU | 291220 - Times Higher Education - April 26th, 2022
- Armidale researchers hope genetic selection will be key to raising steaks with lower emissions - ABC News - April 26th, 2022
- How a Venture Investor with a PhD in Genetics Helped This Biotech Firm Get Started, Funded, and Acquired - Inc. - October 5th, 2021
- The Multiple System Atrophy Coalition Announces a Groundbreaking Project to Explore the Genetics of MSA - Johnson City Press (subscription) - October 5th, 2021
- This startup wants to keep your dog alive longer based on genetic info - The American Genius - October 5th, 2021
- Threatened rattlesnakes' inbreeding makes species more resistant to bad mutations - The Ohio State University News - October 5th, 2021
- Opportunities in the Animal Genetics Market to 2026: Asia Pacific Set to Witness Rapid Growth in - GlobeNewswire - October 5th, 2021
- The Jackson Laboratory appoints Dr. Lon Cardon as its next president and chief executive officer - Yahoo Finance - October 5th, 2021
- Genetic discrimination: The next great health battle likely to wash up on NZ shores - Newstalk ZB - October 5th, 2021
- Sarepta Therapeutics Opens Genetic Therapies Center of Excellence in Columbus, Ohio - Yahoo Finance - October 5th, 2021
- Supreme Court issues notice to government on admission to Medical Genetics courses - The Hindu - October 5th, 2021
- 'Forest Genetics and the Tree of Life': Local forester to speak at Weldon Baptist about God, living things - The Daily Herald - October 5th, 2021
- My mother and I have the same mental health disorders. But is it genetic? - Broadview Magazine - October 5th, 2021
- Researchers unravel the genetic cause of a childhood disorder and a potential way to prevent it with drugs - FierceBiotech - October 5th, 2021
- Germline genetic testing can benefit all cancer patients as a routine practice in cancer care - PRNewswire - May 27th, 2021
- Increasing genetic diversity in crops is important - Farm Progress - May 27th, 2021
- Atlas of Cocaines Effects on Gene Expression Mapped at Single-Cell Level in Fruit Fly Brain - Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News - May 27th, 2021
- Genetic breakthrough could save farmed salmon from flavobacteriosis - The Fish Site - May 27th, 2021
- What genetic analysis reveals about the ancestry of South Africa's Afrikaners - The Conversation CA - May 27th, 2021
- People with rare diseases being left behind by Irish health system - The Irish Times - May 27th, 2021
- Discovery of a new genetic cause of hearing loss illuminates how inner ear works - National Science Foundation - May 27th, 2021
- 'Genelection': Should We Select Children Based on Their Genetic Scores? - American Council on Science and Health - May 27th, 2021
- How Big Data Are Unlocking the Mysteries of Autism - Scientific American - May 2nd, 2021
- Demand for Genetic and DNA Testing Spurring Adoption of Genealogy Products and Services: Fact.MR - BioSpace - May 2nd, 2021
- Researchers Create CRISPR 'On-Off Switch' to Control Inherited Genetic Problems Without Changing DNA - Good News Network - May 2nd, 2021
- Genetic Counseling, the barriers to access, and how we overcome them - WFMZ Allentown - May 2nd, 2021
- Diagnosed with a rare genetic condition, young Winston Salem boy improves with new medication - WXII12 Winston-Salem - May 2nd, 2021
- Google News' "Genetics" Section Is Full of Articles About People Named Gene - Futurism - February 14th, 2021
- Global Animal Genetics Market Forecast to 2027 by Product (Poultry, Porcine, Bovine, Canine), Material (Semen and Embryo), and Services (DNA Typing,... - February 14th, 2021
- Genetics the next frontier of healthcare - Bangkok Post - Bangkok Post - February 14th, 2021
- Front Range Biosciences Introduces A New Class of THCv Genetics That Will Boost Market Opportunities for New Consumer Experiences and Functional... - February 14th, 2021
- Canine genetics, health to be explored at summit - VeterinaryPracticeNews.com - February 14th, 2021
- Drug Resistance Conferring Mutation and Genetic Diversity of Mycobacte | IDR - Dove Medical Press - February 14th, 2021
- Genetic Origins of Canine Hip Dysplasia Evaluated in Validation Study - Business Wire - February 14th, 2021
- Genetic analysis of symptoms yields new insights into PTSD - Yale News - January 29th, 2021
- Press Registration Is Now Open for the 2021 ACMG Annual Clinical Genetics Meeting - A Virtual Experience - PRNewswire - January 29th, 2021