Researchers to try to map genome of zebra mussel
(9/15/15)<http://www.twincities.com/education/ci_28819677/researchers-try-map-genome-zebra-mussel>
University of Minnesota scientists Tuesday announced they
will try to be the first in the world to map the entire genetic sequence of
Dreissena polymorpha, aka the zebra mussel, the invasive mollusk spreading
across waters in Minnesota and the country.
But unlike the Human Genome Project, which aspires to benefit humanity,
the U's project could spell bad news for zebra mussel-kind. "Like all species, zebra mussels have
weaknesses that can be exploited for control, and we want to find those,"
Michael McCartney, the project's lead researcher and a professor at the
University's Minnesota Aquatic Invasive Species Research Center, said in
Tuesday's announcement. The center is teaming up with the U's Genomics Center
on the effort…..
