Genetic Secrets of the World's Toughest Little Bird

July 16, 2013 — Scientists from Griffith University have taken part in an international study which has revealed the genetic secrets of how a small bird can survive in one of the most hostile environments on earth.

The ground tit (Parus humilis), lives in the Tibetan plateau, the largest high-altitude land mass in the world. This study has found molecular signatures in the ground tit genome which reveal how it copes with the extreme living conditions of this habitat.

Professor David Lambert and Dr Sankar Subramanian from Griffith University's Environmental Futures Centre took part in the study.

"We have long known that these birds are well adapted to living with low oxygen levels, typical of high elevation, but until now we have had only a limited understanding of the genetic background of these adaptations," Dr Subramanian said.

"In this study we have identified the genetic modifications of the species which make this possible," he said.

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Ancient origin of hepatitis B viruses revealed by DNA fossils in bird genomes

As the old adage goes; "One man's trash is another man's treasure": what has often been described as "junk DNA" has revealed a hidden gem. Not only can we find the ancient ancestor of the human hepatitis B virus nestled in songbird genomes, but according to research published recently by a team of scientists at theUniversity of Münster, this virus is 63 million years older than originally thought, a finding that may help improve human health outcomes.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is one of the most common human viral infections in the world. This virus specifically infects the liver cells of many primates (including humans), causing severe flu-like symptoms. Although most people fully recover, roughly 5 percent remain infected throughout their lives; acting as carriers who can infect others whilst also suffering a variety of serious liver diseases, including cancer. In fact, HBV is second only to tobacco amongst known human carcinogens, causing up to eighty percent of all hepatocellular carcinomas worldwide.

Where did HBV come from? Were other animals once infected by this virus before evolving defences against it? If so, how did these animals protect themselves from HBV?

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