How Bat Genomes Could Help Make You Healthy
Flying Fox The Black flying fox was one of two bat species selected by the researchers for comparative whole-genome analysis. Their findings shed light on genetic changes associated with the evolution of flight, and pave the way towards understanding how wild bats carry and disseminate deadly human viruses. Photograph by Susanne Wilson/Courtesy CSIROA new genetic analysis shows how bats avoid disease and live exceptionally long lives--information researchers could use to design drugs for people. Though they can rapidly spread pathogens that afflict humans, bats somehow avoid getting sick from viruses like Ebola, SARS, and other deadly bugs. A new genetic analysis of two very different bat species shows how the animals avoid disease, and live exceptionally long lives. It may all be related to their ability to fly, researchers say. This research comes from the "Bat Pack," a team of scientists at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory, and the Beijing Genome...