Walnut Creek, Calif., Genome Institute Compares Diverse Species' Genes.

Byline: Andrea Widener

Oct. 5--In a bubbling aquarium in a comfortably cluttered lab live a colony of what look strangely like large, olive green garden slugs.

Despite their elementary look, these simple sea-dwelling animals called sea squirts are surprisingly similar to people in at least one important way.

At an early stage of development, sea squirts grow like humans and other animals with spinal cords and backbones. Scientists hope that by studying sea squirt DNA they can learn more about human development and basic evolution.

These tube-like sea creatures are just one example of a revolution in the biological sciences taking places in labs like this one at the Joint Genome Institute in Walnut Creek.

Scientists have compared different animals for centuries. But the immense DNA database provided by the Human Genome Project, and the subsequent analysis of other living creatures ranging from frogs to fruit flies to fungus, has opened a new research world.

Combining computer analysis with traditional lab science, these geneticists can compare diverse species' genes -- and, equally important, the genes' on and off switches -- to help understand the differences.

"This is really a wonderful opportunity for us. It is a giant playground and a chance to answer…