What sequencing the first marsupial genome means for human health

Sydney University researchers have helped to produce the first genome sequence for a marsupial, as part of an international collaboration studying the development of the mammalian immune system.

Dr Katherine Belov and her team from the University of Sydney Faculty of Veterinary Science aligned 1528 human immune-related proteins to the South American opossum genome, and found the genetic components of the human and opossum "immunomes' were similar.

The findings of the study suggest that the opossum provides a great model for studying the developmental immunology of humans, particularly since the opossum immune system develops after birth allowing for less invasive experimentation.

"The study has given us a more in-depth understanding about the ancestral mammalian immune system," said Dr Belov. "Comparative studies can provide a unique method of developing novel therapeutics for managing human health."

One area in which the opossum provides an ideal model organism for the study of human disease is melanoma research, as it is the only species apart from humans to develop melanomas from UV light alone.

The findings have also increased the avenues of research into marsupial health. "Identification of immune genes provides a great springboard into all sorts of studies into marsupial health and disease," said Dr Belov. "My group is focusing on two areas in particular " the Tasmanian Devil facial tumour disease and chlamydia in koalas."