How can Decoded DNA help create swine flu vaccine… but only for pigs?
The genome of the domestic pig has been sequenced in a breakthrough that could help develop a new swine flu vaccine – but only for the snorting animals. They join an elite group of DNA-decoded species, including humans, chimps, cattle, dogs and rodents. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1224722/Decoded-DNA-help-create-swine-flu-vaccine–pigs.html#ixzz0VkFgQ9Rw The project cost £15million and involved an international team of scientists. The achievement was announced today at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Hinxton, UK, where most of the sequencing took place. Professor Allan Bradley, the Director of the institute said: ‘This sequence provides a tool of real value in helping the research community to better understand human diseases.’ Swine have a very similar makeup to humans and are often used in human disease research. Scientists rely on pigs to study everything from obesity to skin disorders. ‘The pig is the ideal animal to look at lifestyle and health
