Comparative genomics of 1600 species reveals new insights regarding “superpowers”, breast cancer, and genetic diseases

Various eukaryotes have developed extraordinary traits such as genetic resistance to cancer and hypoxia, increased life span, the ability to hibernate, regeneration of lost tissue, and adaptations to severe environmental conditions. Comparing the genomes of these and other species can reveal genetic – phenotypic – environmental crosstalk and lead to genomic approaches that will help tackle fundamental bio-medical challenges.

We have analyzed 1600 eukaryotic genomes, evaluating, simultaneously, the evolution of pathways, proteins and amino acids across the tree of life. By mapping all human genes into clusters of genes, with distinct patterns of conservation across eukaryotic phylogeny, we demonstrated that sets of genes associated with cancer, metabolic diseases or disease phenotypes, including those associated with most gene networks, have similar phylogenetic profiles.

In my talk, I will demonstrate how we use comparative genomics to predict gene function, identify disease and pathway genes, specifically hereditary breast and ovarian cancer, “improve” tumor suppressors, and develop drug-repositioning platforms.