Kangaroo Genome Map Aids Human Research

Australian Researchers the First to Map Kangaroo Genetic Sequence

Nov 30, 2008

Sequencing the kangaroo genome lets researchers compare human genes with those of a marsupial relative and could lead to medical advances and improvements in agriculture.

Understanding nutritional syndromes like Prader-Willi syndrome, comparing the causes of obesity in humans and mammals, and understanding more about human embryonic development are just some of the research spin-offs from the completion of stage 1 of the Kangaroo Genome Project.

Possible biotech advances could be a new antibiotic from kangaroo milk, better milk production from dairy cows with a kangaroo gene inserted, and sheep, cattle and pets that are resistant to attacks from ticks.

The Kangaroo Genome Project is the work of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Kangaroo Genomics (KanGO).

Australia is home to most of the world’s marsupials, including the iconic koalas, platypus, wombats, and echidnas, and many varieties of kangaroos and wallabies.

KanGO Director, Professor. Jenny Graves from Australian National University and University of Melbourne, said the genome map was an all-Australian effort.

“There's a lot of overseas interest in researching marsupial genes, but we have cornered the market of really valuable marsupials.

“Now the world can use information on kangaroo genes and sequences to explore how mammals develop and function,” she said.

Comparing Human and Marsupial Genes

Australian marsupials share many of the same genes as all mammals, including humans, which makes them valuable for comparative research.

“The value of the kangaroo is obviously in comparing it with the human genome, but there will be a lot of value in understanding kangaroo biology, especially its reproduction - how that occurs, what genes are switched on and off in early development,” she said.

“This is obviously important in understanding human development but also relates to domestic animals.”

For example, kangaroos have a natural resistance to ticks. “Maybe we can ‘teach’ domestic and farm animals to be resistant to ticks”, by modifying their genes or inserting kangaroo genes.

A New Antibiotic from Kangaroo Milk?

Prof Graves forecasts new antibiotics could be developed from research into kangaroo reproduction.

“The kangaroo is born very young, after a very short gestation period, and develops in the pouch. These altricial young have no immune system and the pouch is very dirty, how can they avoid being overwhelmed by bacteria?”she asked.

“What is there either in the pouch or in the milk that is antibiotic? There is a world-wide search for next generation antibiotics beyond streptomycin and penicillin and it could come from this.”

Kangaroo Genes could Help Cows Produce Milk

Kangaroos produce two sorts of milk while lactating. Early in the embryo’s development, their milk is higher in protein, higher in carbohydrates and lower in fat. Later it is higher in fat and lower in carbohydrates and resembles cow's milk.

Wallabies from KanGO’s research facility have already been used to investigate the possibility of cloning genes to insert into dairy cows to help them produce greater amounts of rich milk.

Marsupial Embryos Explain Human Development

The kangaroo gives researchers the ability to observe foetal development outside the uterus. This makes them ideal for understanding human foetal development.

For example, while sex is determined at conception, sexual differentiation occurs later. In humans ovaries or testes develop at about 6-8 weeks.

“Because this is happening in utero, we can't see it or influence it,” KanGO Deputy Director, Laureate Professor Marilyn Renfree of the University of Melbourne’s Zoology Department, said

“The kangaroo foetus can be treated with hormones in the pouch by simply attaching a capillary tube next to the teat which the foetus sucks. We can learn a great deal about the development of the penis, prostate, testes and ovaries in the mammal without performing delicate and difficult intrauterine surgery.”

Prof Renfree said observing kangaroo foetal development could also explain the origins of human nutritional syndromes like like Prader-Willi which are genetically determined.

The copyright of the article Kangaroo Genome Map Aids Human Research in Genetics & Evolution is owned by Sue Cartledge. Permission to republish Kangaroo Genome Map Aids Human Research in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.