Ciona genome project

The Ciona genome project involves sequencing the complete genetic blueprint of Ciona intestinalis, a small sea creature known as a sea squirt. By understanding its genes, scientists learn about the basic building blocks of chordates, the group that includes all vertebrates like humans. This research helps uncover how complex animals evolved from simpler ancestors and provides insights into developmental biology and gene functions. The project offers a valuable model for studying biology, evolution, and genetics in a simplified organism, advancing our knowledge of life’s fundamental processes.