ORCID Profile
0000-0002-5446-9635
Current Organisation
University of Leeds
Does something not look right? The information on this page has been harvested from data sources that may not be up to date. We continue to work with information providers to improve coverage and quality. To report an issue, use the Feedback Form.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 21-09-2021
Abstract: The 15 species of small carnivorous marsupials that comprise the genus Antechinus exhibit semelparity, a rare life‐history strategy in mammals where synchronized death occurs after one breeding season. Antechinus males, but not females, age rapidly (demonstrate organismal senescence) during the breeding season and show promise as new animal models of ageing. Some antechinus species are also threatened or endangered. Here, we report a chromosome‐level genome of a male yellow‐footed antechinus Antechinus flavipes . The genome assembly has a total length of 3.2 Gb with a contig N50 of 51.8 Mb and a scaffold N50 of 636.7 Mb. We anchored and oriented 99.7% of the assembly on seven pseudochromosomes and found that repetitive DNA sequences occupy 51.8% of the genome. Draft genome assemblies of three related species in the subfamily Phascogalinae, two additional antechinus species ( Antechinus argentus and A . arktos ) and the iteroparous sister species Murexia melanurus , were also generated. Preliminary demographic analysis supports the hypothesis that climate change during the Pleistocene isolated species in Phascogalinae and shaped their population size. A transcriptomic profile across the A . flavipes breeding season allowed us to identify genes associated with aspects of the male die‐off. The chromosome‐level A . flavipes genome provides a steppingstone to understanding an enigmatic life‐history strategy and a resource to assist the conservation of antechinuses.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 21-06-2022
DOI: 10.1038/S41467-022-31150-5
Abstract: Robotics and autonomous systems are reshaping the world, changing healthcare, food production and bio ersity management. While they will play a fundamental role in delivering the UN Sustainable Development Goals, associated opportunities and threats are yet to be considered systematically. We report on a horizon scan evaluating robotics and autonomous systems impact on all Sustainable Development Goals, involving 102 experts from around the world. Robotics and autonomous systems are likely to transform how the Sustainable Development Goals are achieved, through replacing and supporting human activities, fostering innovation, enhancing remote access and improving monitoring. Emerging threats relate to reinforcing inequalities, exacerbating environmental change, erting resources from tried-and-tested solutions and reducing freedom and privacy through inadequate governance. Although predicting future impacts of robotics and autonomous systems on the Sustainable Development Goals is difficult, thoroughly examining technological developments early is essential to prevent unintended detrimental consequences. Additionally, robotics and autonomous systems should be considered explicitly when developing future iterations of the Sustainable Development Goals to avoid reversing progress or exacerbating inequalities.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 04-12-2018
DOI: 10.1101/485615
Abstract: Cetaceans, a highly specialized group of aquatic mammals, experience oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species (ROS) production associated with the apnea/reoxygenation. The glutathione transferases (GST) family possesses multiple functions in detoxification and antioxidant defenses. However, the molecular evolution of GST family in cetaceans is still poorly investigated. Here, we characterized the GST gene family across 21 mammalian genomes including cetaceans and terrestrial relatives. Overall, 7 GST classes were identified, showing GSTs are ubiquitous and conservative to all mammals. Some of GSTs are lineage-specific duplication and loss, in line with a birth-and-death evolutionary model. We detected positive selection sites that possibly influence GST structure and function, suggesting adaptive evolution of GSTs is important for defending mammals from various types of noxious environmental compounds. There is evidence for loss of alpha and mu GST class in cetacean lineages when compared to their terrestrial relatives, consisting with the lower GST activities observed in cetaceans. Notably, we find that retained GSTA1 , GSTA4 and GSTM1 in cetaceans, indicating a vital role in against lipid peroxidation and superoxide. Besides, variation in gene number, enzyme activity and selection pressure of GSTs between marine mammals suggests there is a ergent evolution of GSTs in aquatic species that might be associated to ing ability and oxidative status with different habitats. Summarily, our findings demonstrate that the GST family in cetaceans has been subject to evolutionary dynamics as response for their adaptations to oxidative stress, and highlighted the differential selection associated with different life history traits among mammals.
Publisher: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
Date: 04-04-2019
DOI: 10.1101/596395
Abstract: Cetaceans are a group of marine mammals whose ancestors were adaptated for life on land. Life in an aquatic environment poses many challenges for air-breathing mammals. Diving marine mammals have adapted to rapid reoxygenation and reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated reperfusion injury. Here, we considered the evolution of the glutathione transferase (GST) gene family which has important roles in the detoxification of endogenously-derived ROS and environmental pollutants. We characterized the cytosolic GST gene family in 21 mammalian species cetaceans, sirenians, pinnipeds, and their terrestrial relatives. All seven GST classes were identified, showing that GSTs are ubiquitous in mammals. Some GST genes are the product of lineage-specific duplications and losses, in line with a birth-and-death evolutionary model. We detected sites with signatures of positive selection that possibly influence GST structure and function, suggesting that adaptive evolution of GST genes is important for defending mammals from various types of noxious environmental compounds. We also found evidence for loss of alpha and mu GST subclass genes in cetacean lineages. Notably, cetaceans have retained a homolog of at least one of the genes GSTA1 , GSTA4 , and GSTM1 GSTs that are present in both the cytosol and mitochondria. The observed variation in number and selection pressure on GST genes suggest that the gene family structure is dynamic within cetaceans. Taken together, our results indicate that the cytosolic GST family in cetaceans reflects unique evolutionary dynamics related to oxygen-poor aquatic environments.
Location: United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
No related grants have been discovered for Markus Fraundorfer.