There’s no doubt that sharks are one of the most feared creatures on Earth, but they are also one of the most sophisticated and enduring ones. They are particularly good at healing themselves and resisting cancer, with some species even living to the ripe old age of 400. In an attempt to decode the animal’s incredible quirks, scientists have now sequenced the entire genome of the great white shark. Within the genome, the researchers found that natural selection had given a boost to genes involved in DNA repair, DNA damage response and DNA damage tolerance, which could be behind the animals’ resilience against cancer and other age-related diseases. Another finding showed that genes related to wound healing and blood clotting had been selected for and enriched, which goes a long way towards explaining how sharks can shake off even large wounds without too much trouble. The findings could potentially help find new treatments for cancer and wound healing in humans, and also improve the conservation efforts of these fascinating animals.
Sequencing shark DNA could lead to better treatments for cancer
More of Today's Solutions
WasteBar turns cigarette butt waste into food currency in the Netherlands
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM There is a small mobile cart somewhere in the Netherlands right now, and if you bring it a ...
Read More5 plant-health boosting orange peel tricks to use in your garden this summer
BY THE OPTIMIST DAILY EDITORIAL TEAM Every orange you eat comes with a second product most people toss without thinking. The peel is packed ...
Read MoreHere’s why you should wash your clothes with cold water
Washing your clothes with hot water may be an effective way to remove stains, but doing so with every laundry batch takes its toll ...
Read MoreHow to host a more sustainable super bowl party
This year, the Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee in collaboration with NFL Green is working together to make this year’s Super Bowl as sustainable ...
Read More
