We are very excited about this paper just published in Genome Biology. This was a collaboration with Dr. Claudio Mello’s Lab at OHSU. There are at least 274 protein coding genes missing from the avian genomes but present in all other vertebrates. These genes are located in regions associated with chromosomal rearrangements and many of them are associated with lethality and disease phenotypes in mammals. “With regards to the missing genes, birds can be considered ‘natural knockouts’ that may become invaluable model organisms for several human diseases.”