Class material:Tiger genomic project
Tigers are powerful predators but are also in a precarious situation due to the risk of extinction. Therefore, understanding the tiger genome is crucial for their conservation.
One of the important steps in the Tiger Genome Project is the decryption of the complete genome sequence. In this process, the research team uses Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology to assemble and analyze the tiger genome with high precision. This data plays a crucial role in understanding the evolutionary origins of tigers and revealing their unique biological traits and survival strategies.
Through this, the project analyzes genes related to immunity and stress responses in the tiger genome, studying how tigers respond to various diseases and environmental stresses.
The various technologies used in the genome project can be understood as follows:
Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) Technology:
NGS technology provides the capability to quickly and accurately analyze a variety of DNA sequences, from short to long read lengths. This technology enables precise genome assembly at a low cost through the use of de Bruijn graph-based sequence overlaps.
Optical Mapping and Bionano Genomics:
Optical mapping cuts DNA into specific patterns to detect large-scale structural variations. This technology is particularly useful in identifying and filling gaps that may occur during the genome assembly process. Bionano Genomics technology further refines this process by analyzing the physical arrangement of DNA, thereby constructing a more accurate genomic map.
PacBio Sequencing:
PacBio offers long read lengths that detect structural variations in the genome and produce fewer contigs with high N50 values. This enables the genome 'finishing' phase to be completed at significantly reduced costs while maintaining high accuracy.
Illumina's Moleculo Technology:
Moleculo uses synthetically generated long reads from short read data to enable de novo assembly of complex genomes, such as those of plant species. This technology is particularly useful for studying genomes with complex structures.
These technologies can also contribute to the research of many other endangered species, not just tigers.