Scientists have recently improved the genome sequence of the water fleas Daphnia Pulex from the earlier model. The previous genome sequence was mapped seven years ago by the same team.
The team was led by the director of the Genomics & Bioinformatics Core Facility at the University of Notre Dame, Michael E. Pfrender. HE is also the associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences and the Environmental Change Initiative.
According to the official statement from the University of Notre Dame, the new and improved genome sequence of the water fleas Daphnia Pulex has given more detailed data and roadmap of the microorganism. This will allow scientists to identify the specific genes that make this crustacean are able to withstand extreme changes in their environment.
"We need this genomic infrastructure to add to the ecological context we already have to gain a better understanding of how Daphnia adapt," Professor Pfender said explaining the new genome sequence of the water fleas Daphnia Pulex. "They are the primary grazer in those environments, they’re also primary forage."
Seven years ago, Professor Pfender has successfully mapped the genome sequence of Daphnia Pulex, the most common species of water fleas in the world. Daphnia Pulex is extremely sensitive to the change in environment, and studying their genes will enable scientists to understand how the water fleas Daphnia Pulex responded to the toxic elements, such as toxic algae blooms, thermal stress and even industrial contaminants.
In studying how the genes of water fleas Daphnia Pulex reacted to those changes, scientists expect to understand more how the environmental changes affect the populations in lakes, rivers and standing bodies of water. Daphnia Pulex holds the key to understand the ecosystem. The recent report has been published in the G3 Journal.
Professor Pfender work with scientists from Indiana University, the University of Texas at Arlington, Hubbard Center for Genome Studies at the University of New Hampshire worked closely together to update the genome sequence of the water fleas Daphnia Pulex. Watch the first time Professor Pfender was able to map the genome sequence of Daphnia Pulex below:
