SDSU, Collaborators Get $2.4 Million Grant to Study Evolutionary History of Snakes, L

Monday, August 25, 2003

SDSU, Collaborators Get $2.4 Million Grant to Study Evolutionary History of Snakes, Lizards
Project's Potential Benefits Include Ability to Better Treat Snake Bites
By Aaron Hoskins

Researchers at San Diego State University and other institutions will use data from previous landmark genome projects to unlock the evolutionary history of lizards and snakes (squamate reptiles), providing one more piece to the broader historical picture of life.

To complete the five-year study, the National Science Foundation provided a $2.4 million grant to SDSU, Brigham Young University, Field Museum of Natural History, State University of New York-Stony Brook, University of Adelaide (Australia), University of Texas-Austin and Yale University.

Tod Reeder, a biology professor at SDSU, and a team of researchers on campus will receive $648,000 to review the completed gene maps for humans and puffer fish (as well as the nearly complete genome of the house mice) - data provided from recent groundbreaking studies - and screen for individual slowly evolving genes that are found in all three.

"It's almost certain that the genes we find common in humans, puffer fish and mice will be present in all vertebrates," Reeder said. "We will look for those genes in lizards and snakes and use the DNA sequence information to determine the evolutionary history for these squamate reptiles."

Reeder said squamates have long been an important model system in biology, and understanding their evolutionary history is critical for a more complete picture of vertebrate evolution and ecology.

"It's an ambitious project," Reeder said. "The scale of most molecular phylogenetic research is much smaller in scope, focusing on one or a few specific genes. We are attempting to identify and obtain DNA sequence information from 50 nuclear genes - shining a very bright light on lizards and snakes to elucidate how these groups have evolved and diversified over time."

In addition to the study's potential far-reaching contributions to scientific research, Reeder said it would also benefit modern medicine.

"Venomous snakes pose a critical threat to human safety in many parts of the world, and species identification is critical for effective treatment," Reeder said. He added that part of the research project will include construction of an innovative Web site that will allow snakebite victims and medical workers to identify the venomous snakes in their area.

"We're tracking evolutionary relationships, creating a family tree for all major groups of lizards and snakes," Reeder said. "Understanding these relationships will allow doctors to make more informed choices when treating snake bites. For example, it's very possible an antidote or anti-venom used for one type of snake bite will also heal wounds inflicted by other closely-related snakes."

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