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Our Not-So-Distant Relatives: Kangaroos

Scientists decode marsupial's genome, find much in common with humans

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Nov 18, 2008 4:26 PM CST

(Newser) – The kangaroo genome has much in common with that of humans, the Telegraph reports. Scientists in Australia, under the auspices of the Centre of Excellence for Kangaroo Genomics, have completed mapping the marsupial’s genetic code. “There are a few differences, we have a few more of this, a few less of that,” one researcher said, “but they are the same genes and a lot of them are in the same order.”

A group of curious kangaroos feed at the Lucas Heights Nuclear Science Testing Facility in Sydney, Australia. (AP Photo)

A female kangaroo and her joey. (AP Photo)

Two kangaroos fight. (AP Photo)

A baby red kangaroo peeks from its mother's pouch. (AP Photo)

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Our Not-So-Distant Relatives: Kangaroos

Scientists decode marsupial's genome, find much in common with humans

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Scientists Crack Code of Kangaroo's DNA

Decoding could lead to new antibiotics, hope for wombats

Kangaroo Farts Could Help Curb Warming

Secret to methane-free gas could be transferred to cattle and sheep

Woman, 94, Battles Rogue Kangaroo

Broom-wielding Outback woman fights off attacking roo

Meet World's 'Most Typical' Person

He's 28, Chinese, and right-handed: researchers

Tibetans 'Fastest-Evolving People on Earth'

Mutations allow Tibetans to thrive at high altitude

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Our Not-So-Distant Relatives: Kangaroos

Scientists decode marsupial's genome, find much in common with humans

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

evolution • Australia • genome • human • scientific research • kangaroo

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Scientists Crack Code of Kangaroo's DNA

Decoding could lead to new antibiotics, hope for wombats

Kangaroo Farts Could Help Curb Warming

Secret to methane-free gas could be transferred to cattle and sheep

Woman, 94, Battles Rogue Kangaroo

Broom-wielding Outback woman fights off attacking roo

Meet World's 'Most Typical' Person

He's 28, Chinese, and right-handed: researchers

Tibetans 'Fastest-Evolving People on Earth'

Mutations allow Tibetans to thrive at high altitude

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?