The Nothobranchius Project

We have initiated projects to sequence a fraction of the N. furzeri genome by whole genome shotgun sequencing using Sanger and 454 sequencing technology. In parallel we sequence a normalized cDNA library (cooperation with Evrogen, Moscow, Russia). Assembly, annotation and comparison of the sequences with zebrafish (Danio rerio), tetraodon (Tetraodon nigroviridis), medaka (Oryzias latipes), and stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) will provide a basis for further work concerning molecular, biochemiacal and evolutionary aspects of aging in N. furzeri.

An initial characterization of the N. furzeri genome has been published in Genome Biology.

Our work together with ongoing phenotypic studies and breeding experiments also provides the basis for linkage and QTL analyses. Both are a prerequisite for the identification of genetic loci controlling life span and age-related traits in N. furzeri. Our long term goal is to find aging relevant genes by positional cloning and their experimental analysis. In combination with a continued systematic analysis of both N. furzeri genome and transcriptome we will contribute to a better understanding of vertebrate aging.