People have relatives with sea urchins

Scientists have deciphered the sea urchin genome and found that the soft-bodied creatures are not spent, not the same brain as humans. They found the purple sea urchin genome in California has 23,300 genes. Including 7,077 genes that are similar to humans.

Sea urchins (Photo: humboldt)

This genetic relationship is much more intimate than what scientists predicted and turned sea urchins into cousins ​​closer to humans than fruit flies.

" Nobody thinks that sea urchins have a very developed set of genetic capabilities ," said Gary Wessel, a professor of biology at Brown University.

Another surprise from the project is that the researchers found that sea urchins have the most complex innate immune system of any animal to date. That may be why they live to be over 100 years old.

Sea urchins also carry genes involved in human disease such as muscular and Huntington's anesthesia. This will open the way to studying human illness on this organism. They also have genes related to taste, smell, hearing and balance.

MT