Bats have many superpowers such as the ability to fly, to use sound to move effortlessly in complete darkness, and to tolerate and survive potentially deadly viruses.
Past studies looked at the secret behind these superpowers, however, the coronavirus pandemic which many reports suggest it emerged from bats, has given further momentum to the Bat1K project working on sequencing the genome of 1300 types of bats. The researchers recently completed the genome sequencing of six different types, and published the results Wednesday in the Nature journal.
The Bat1K genomes are 10 times more complete than any bat genome published to date. The new study showed that a family of genes, APOBEC3 found in bats but not in other mammals, could help prevent the worst outcomes of viral diseases in other mammals, including humans.
The team compared these bat genomes against 42 other mammals to address the unresolved question of where bats are located within the mammalian tree of life. Using novel methods and comprehensive molecular data sets, the team found the strongest support for bats being most closely related to a group called Fereuungulata that consists of carnivores (which include dogs, cats, and seals, among other species).
To uncover genomic changes that contribute to the unique adaptations found in bats, the team systematically searched for gene differences between bats and other mammals, identifying regions of the genome that have evolved differently in bats and may drive their unique traits.
Thanks to a series of sophisticated statistical analyses, the researchers have started to uncover the genetics behind bats' 'superpowers,' including their strong apparent abilities to tolerate and overcome RNA viruses.
In a report published on the university's website, Liliana Dávalos, a Stony Brook University evolutionary biologist, said: "We believe the genomes providing bats with their capacity to survive RNA viruses, could play a major role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic, and may eventually lead to solutions that enhance the human ability of survival, and help prevent future pandemics."