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.

More at https://www.uibk.ac.at/limno/personnel/stelzer/index.html.en#research

This is a fixed term post for 36 months.

We wish to recruit a highly motivated, postdoctoral scientist to carry out a BBSRC funded project in the laboratory of Dr. Denis Larkin. The project is focused on developing and applying new algorithms to study genome and chromosome evolution in birds, mammals and other vertebrate species using whole-genome sequences and existing algorithms. The post holder will use cutting edge computational and laboratory approaches to generate chromosomal assemblies for sequenced genomes, study chromosomal structures and genome differences between bird and other vertebrate species in attempt to identify species- and clade-specific genome signatures.

Applicants must have a Ph.D. and a track record of success, as indicated by first-author publications in international journals. They must possess excellent organisation skills and be capable of individual initiative and of interacting as part of a team. Applicants with extensive practical experience in bioinformatics or computer science, programming, visualization, handling of large data sets, high-performance computing are encouraged to apply. The post will involve collaboration with a wide range of academic partners both within the UK, EU and worldwide. In addition to leading their own project the post holder will have opportunities to contribute to multiple international genome initiatives.

Experience in programming, bioinformatics and comparative genome analysis is essential. Applicants should have a minimum of a degree and preferably a higher degree in a relevant subject.

The Royal Veterinary College has the largest range of veterinary, para-veterinary and animal science undergraduate and postgraduate courses of any veterinary school in the world and is one of the largest veterinary schools in Europe.

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Denis Larkin, Comparative Biomedical Sciences Department on +442071211906 or email: dlarkin@rvc.ac.uk

We offer a generous reward package.

For further information and to apply on-line please visit our website: www.rvc.ac.uk
Job reference CBS-0025-14A

Closing date: 4 July 2014
Interviews are likely to be held in July 2014

We promote equality of opportunity and diversity within the workplace and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Current computational interests:

Systematic analysis of genetic epistasis to identify redundant or compensatory systems and to reveal order of action in genetic pathways.
Using knockout, knockdown, or overexpression, or other perturbation experiments in combinations of genes in S. cerevisiae, C. elegans or mouse.
Using genome-scale genotyping of natural polymorphisms in S. cerevisiae and human populations.
Alternative splicing and its relationship to protein interaction networks.
Integrating large-scale studies including phenotype, genetic epistasis, protein-protein and transcription-regulatory interactions and sequence patterns to quantitatively assign function to genes and guide experimentation.

More at http://llama.mshri.on.ca/index.html

Address of the bookmark: https://peerj.com/preprints/453.pdf

Address of the bookmark: http://www.vital-it.ch/

More at http://www.bx.psu.edu/~rsharris/lastz/

Thesis: http://www.bx.psu.edu/~rsharris/rsharris_phd_thesis_2007.pdf

Address of the bookmark: http://www.bx.psu.edu/~rsharris/lastz/