Researchers in the University have made significant strides towards understanding the genomes - and hence the biology - of falcons.
Two studies by a team led by Professor Darren Griffin at the University’s School of Biosciences created chromosome-level assemblies and compared three iconic species, the Peregrine, Saker and Gyr falcons.
Many falcons are classified as endangered and are remarkable for their incredible eyesight, acceleration speeds and hunting skills. Studying their genomes helps understand a wide range of aspects of falcon biology, including morphology, ecology, and physiology, as well as being essential for conservation efforts.
Furthermore, whole genome sequencing enables an understanding of how the genome relates to physical characteristics, eg growth, development, maintenance and disease resistance.
The researchers focussed specifically on the overall organization of the genome, expressed as an arrangement of chromosomes. The ultimate aim of any genome sequencing effort is to assign all or most of the genes to the appropriate chromosomes, with each gene or marker in order – in essence, creating a genomic map.
Making such a map of the genome in relation to the chromosomes (a so-called ‘chromosome-level assembly’) can aid genomic selection in breeding regimes and it also allows comparisons between species. Despite this, many animals – although having their genome sequenced – have not until recently had a chromosome-level genome assembly, and this had also applied to falcons.
The approach was developed at Kent in collaboration with the Royal Veterinary College, University of London.
Professor Griffin said: ‘The approach is similar to that stage in a jigsaw puzzle where you have blocks of the pieces put together but to idea of the final picture. A combination of computing and an approach called “FISH” allows the picture to be completed. One of the studies also looked at ostrich and budgerigar genomes and recently the work – which was led by Dr Becky O’Connor – used the approach to determine the overall structure of dinosaur DNA.’
The work is a culmination of a long-standing collaboration with the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) in Dubai, which has produced two successful PhD theses. Dr Abdullah Al Mutery and Dr Sunitha Joseph (both Kent graduates who did most of their experimental work at CVRL) now hold senior positions in Dubai and Sharjah.
The first paper, entitled Chromosome level genome assembly and comparative genomics between three falcon species reveals a pattern of genome organization not typical for birds, is published in the journal Diversity.
The second paper, entitled Chromosome-level assembly reveals extensive rearrangement in saker falcon, budgerigar but not ostrich genome, is published in the journal Genome Biology.