Key Findings of the Study:

1. Alu Insertion and Tail Loss:
   The researchers discovered an Alu-mediated genetic change in a common ancestor of modern apes and humans. This change disrupted the normal function of a gene involved in tail development, leading to the suppression of tail formation.

2. Gene Disruption Mechanism:
   The Alu insertion was found within a regulatory region of the TBXT gene (also known as T or Brachyury), which is crucial for tail development in vertebrates. This insertion likely altered the gene's expression patterns, leading to tail reduction over evolutionary time.

3. Functional Evidence from Model Organisms:
   To test their hypothesis, the researchers introduced similar genetic modifications in mice. The modified mice exhibited shortened or absent tails, supporting the idea that the identified mutation played a role in tail loss in hominoids.

4. Evolutionary Implications:
   The findings suggest that small, random genomic changes—such as transposable element insertions—can have profound effects on body morphology. This study provides evidence that mobile DNA elements (like Alu) can drive major evolutionary transitions.

5. Relevance to Human Evolution:
   Understanding the genetic basis of tail loss helps in reconstructing the evolutionary history of hominins (the lineage that includes humans and our extinct relatives). It also sheds light on how genetic variations contribute to anatomical diversity among primates.

Significance of the Study:

This research highlights the role of transposable elements in shaping evolutionary traits and provides a concrete genetic explanation for a defining characteristic of humans and great apes. It also demonstrates how mutations in regulatory regions of developmental genes can lead to significant anatomical changes.

Initial customers for the HiSeq X Ten System, which will ship in Q1 2014, include Macrogen, based in Seoul, South Korea and its CLIA laboratory in Rockville, Maryland, the Broad Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney, Australia.

“For the first time, it looks like it will be possible to deliver the $1,000 genome, which is tremendously exciting,” said Eric Lander, founding director of the Broad Institute and a professor of biology at MIT. “The HiSeq X Ten should give us the ability to analyze complete genomic information from huge sample populations. Over the next few years, we have an opportunity to learn as much about the genetics of human disease as we have learned in the history of medicine.”

“The HiSeq X Ten is an ideal platform for scientists and institutions focused on the discovery of genotypic variation to enable a deeper understanding of human biology and genetic disease,” Illumina stated. “It can sequence tens of thousands of samples annually with high-quality, high-coverage sequencing, delivering a comprehensive catalog of human variation within and outside coding regions.”

HiSeq X Ten utilizes a number of advanced design features to generate massive throughput. Patterned flow cells, which contain billions of nanowells at fixed locations, combined with a new clustering chemistry deliver a significant increase in data density (6 billion clusters per run). Using state-of-the art optics and faster chemistry, HiSeq X Ten can process sequencing flow cells more quickly than ever before — generating a 10x increase in daily throughput when compared to current HiSeq 2500 performance.

The HiSeq X Ten is sold as a set of 10 or more ultra-high throughput sequencing systems, each generating up to 1.8 terabases (Tb) of sequencing data in less than three days or up to 600 gigabases (Gb) per day, per system, providing the throughput to sequence tens of thousands of high-quality, high-coverage genomes per year. Illumina says the $1,000 includes typical instrument depreciation, DNA extraction, library preparation, and estimated labor.

Walk-in-Interview

Walk-in-interview will be held on February 11, 2014 at 10:00 A.M. at IASRI, New Delhi for a project “Whole Genome Sequencing and Development of Allied Genomics Resources in Two Commercially Important Fish-Labeo rohita and Clarias batrachus” funded by Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi for the following posts. The appointment will be on contractual basis upto September, 2016 or till the termination of the project whichever is earlier and the incumbent shall not have any claim for regular appointment under ICAR.

Senior Research Fellow Two

Post-Graduation in Bioinformatics/ Agricultural Statistics/ Statistics/ Computer Science/ Computer Application/ Biotechnology or equivalent with 1st Division

 Knowledge of Statistical Analysis /Bioinformatics tools/computer programming for computational genomics.

Emoluments for Research Associate: Consolidated Rs: 16000/- per month + 30% HRA (1st Two years) and Rs: 18000/- per month + 30% HRA (3rd Year)

Age Limit: Age should be not more than 35 years (5 years relaxation for SC/ST/women candidates and 3 years for OBC candidates as on date of interview).
Interested candidates are requested to appear for Walk-in-Interview on the date and time as specified above in Room No. 106, Training Cum Administrative Block of the Institute along with their application giving bio-data with attested copies of certificates, degrees, testimonials, etc. and one passport size photograph. Original certificates/ Degrees are needed to be produced at the time of interview. No T.A. /D.A. will be paid for appearing in the interview.

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In addition to providing a broad sample of the diversity in S. bicolor, the genotypes included in this study are known to display agronomically important traits including stay-green drought resistance, insect resistance, grain size and grain quality.

Find more at http://www.nature.com/ncomms/2013/130827/ncomms3320/full/ncomms3320.html

Candidates having the below mentioned qualifications may appear for Walk in Interview at ICPO on 5th Feb 2014 between 10.00 AM and 12.00 PM under the NIF project entitled "Prediction of drug tragets of chemical constituents present within non-codified medicinal plants" under Dr Subhash M.Agarwal, Scientist C

Position : JRF
No of Post : One
Pay : Rs 12000/- + 30% HRA

Desired Profile : M.Sc in Bioinformatics with good academic record. Candidate with experience in database development and scripting would be preferred
Age Limit : Below 28 years
Period : 2 months

Interested candidates may send their applications with bio-data by email (smagarwal@gmail.com) or post addressed to Dr Subhash M Agarwal, Scientist C, Bioinformatics Division, Institute of Cytology and Preventive Oncology (ICPO) I-7, Sector 39, Noida-201301 so as to reach latest by 04.02.14

Deadline : 04.02.14

http://icmr.nic.in/icmrnews/icpo_jrf.pdf

* Analysis of Gene Expression Pattern Images: high-performance image analysis and mining for different model organisms, such as fruitfly, C. elegans, and mouse;
* Feature/Model Learning: developing algorithms and software

Location :Janelia Farm Research Campus, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Ashburn, Virginia, USA.

http://research.janelia.org/peng/

Note: This image/cartoon is create only for fun. It has nothing to do with any scientific findings.

This position will have a significant focus on providing analytical support for next generation sequencing data analysis – Exome-sequencing, Targetted sequencing as well as high-throughput genotyping on Illumina platform.

Job location:

Genome Research Chair
King Saud University, Riyadh-11451
KSA

Interested candidate may forward their CV to grcksu@gmail.com