Meeting Abstract

S1.4  Monday, Jan. 4  Tunicate genomics: a window into chordate development and evolution ZELLER, R.W.; San Diego State University rzeller@sciences.sdsu.edu

Tunicates, particularly ascidians, are an excellent biological system in which to study gene regulatory mechanisms important during embryological development. Because of their phylogenetic position within the chordates, tunicates will provide insight into the evolution of chordate gene regulation. Three tunicate genomes have been sequenced to date: two ascidians – Ciona intestinalis and C. savignyi, and one larvacean – Oikopleura dioica – possessing the smallest known chordate genome. This wealth of genomic information, coupled with extensive EST collections from all three species, has allowed researchers to initiate genome-level investigations of tunicate development. The Ciona genome encodes about 15,000 genes, but is one twentieth the size of typical vertebrate genomes. Tunicate genomes lack extensive gene duplication events thus gene regulatory mechanisms are believed to be simplified compared to vertebrates. A review of the current Ciona genome assembly will be presented and examples from genome-scale research efforts will be discussed.