Common marmoset genome sequenced to advance Alzheimer's research

Researchers from the University of California, Santa Cruz, have successfully sequenced the first complete genome of the common marmoset, a small South American primate. Published in the journal Cell, the study was conducted as part of the Telomere-to-Telomere (T2T) Consortium.

This new, continuous DNA sequence overcomes limitations of the previous 2014 reference genome, which contained gaps and errors in complex regions. By accessing these previously unreachable areas, scientists can now more accurately identify genetic variations. The marmoset is a vital biomedical model because it shares cognitive decline characteristics with humans, including brain changes associated with aging and neurodegenerative conditions.

By analyzing the genetic information of 230 marmosets, the team identified variations in genes linked to human Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases. High-quality references were generated for 76 genes associated with these conditions, including PSEN1, which is linked to early-onset familial Alzheimer's. Additionally, the mapping provides a detailed view of the species' immune system, including the first complete mapping of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) region.