Evolutionary and Biomedical Insights from the Rhesus Macaque Genome
Authors: Gibbs Richard A. , Rogers Jeffrey , Katze Michael G. , Bumgarner Roger , Weinstock George M. , Mardis Elaine R. , Remington Karin A. , Strausberg Robert L. , Venter J. Craig , Wilson Richard K. , Batzer Mark A. , Bustamante Carlos D. , Eichler Evan E. , Hahn Matthew W. , Hardison Ross C. , Makova Kateryna D. , Miller Webb , Milosavljevic Aleksandar , Palermo Robert E. , Siepel Adam , Sikela James M. , Attaway Tony , Bell Stephanie , Bernard Kelly E. , Buhay Christian J. , Chandrabose Mimi N. , Dao Marvin , Davis Clay , Delehaunty Kimberly D. , Ding Yan , Dinh Huyen H. , Dugan-Rocha Shannon , Fulton Lucinda A. , Gabisi Ramatu Ayiesha , Garner Toni T. , Godfrey Jennifer , Hawes Alicia C. , Hernandez Judith , Hines Sandra , Holder Michael , Hume Jennifer , Jhangiani Shalini N. , Joshi Vandita , Khan Ziad Mohid , Kirkness Ewen F. , Cree Andrew , Fowler R. Gerald , Lee Sandra , Lewis Lora R. , Li Zhangwan , Liu Yih-shin , Moore Stephanie M. , Muzny Donna , Nazareth Lynne V. , Ngo Dinh Ngoc , Okwuonu Geoffrey O. , Pai Grace , Parker David , Paul Heidie A. , Pfannkoch Cynthia , Pohl Craig S. , Rogers Yu-Hui , Ruiz San Juana , Sabo Aniko , Santibanez Jireh , Schneider Brian W. , Smith Scott M. , Sodergren Erica , Svatek Amanda F. , Utterback Teresa R. , Vattathil Selina , Warren Wesley , White Courtney Sherell , Chinwalla Asif T. , Feng Yucheng , Halpern Aaron L. , Hillier LaDeana W. , Huang Xiaoqiu , Minx Pat , Nelson Joanne O. , Pepin Kymberlie H. , Qin Xiang , Sutton Granger G. , Venter Eli , Walenz Brian P. , Wallis John W. , Worley Kim C. , Yang Shiaw-Pyng , Jones Steven M. , Marra Marco A. , Rocchi Mariano , Schein Jacqueline E. , Baertsch Robert , Clarke Laura , Csürös Miklós , Glasscock Jarret , Harris R. Alan , Havlak Paul , Jackson Andrew R. , Jiang Huaiyang , Liu Yue , Messina David N. , Shen Yufeng , Song Henry Xing-Zhi , Wylie Todd , Zhang Lan , Birney Ewan , Han Kyudong , Konkel Miriam K. , Lee Jungnam , Smit Arian F. A. , Ullmer Brygg , Wang Hui , Xing Jinchuan , Burhans Richard , Cheng Ze , Karro John E. , Ma Jian , Raney Brian , She Xinwei , Cox Michael J. , Demuth Jeffery P. , Dumas Laura J. , Han Sang-Gook , Hopkins Janet , Karimpour-Fard Anis , Kim Young H. , Pollack Jonathan R. , Vinar Tomas , Addo-Quaye Charles , Degenhardt Jeremiah , Denby Alexandra , Hubisz Melissa J. , Indap Amit , Kosiol Carolin , Lahn Bruce T. , Lawson Heather A. , Marklein Alison , Nielsen Rasmus , Vallender Eric J. , Clark Andrew G. , Ferguson Betsy , Hernandez Ryan D. , Hirani Kashif , Kehrer-Sawatzki Hildegard , Kolb Jessica , Patil Shobha , Pu Ling-Ling , Ren Yanru , Smith David Glenn , Wheeler David A. , Schenck Ian , Ball Edward V. , Chen Rui , Cooper David N. , Giardine Belinda , Hsu Fan , Kent W. James , Lesk Arthur , Nelson David L. , O'Brien William E. , Prüfer Kay , Stenson Peter D. , Wallace James C. , Ke Hui , Liu Xiao-Ming , Wang Peng , Xiang Andy Peng , Yang Fan , Barber Galt P. , Haussler David , Karolchik Donna , Kern Andy D. , Kuhn Robert M. , Smith Kayla E. , Zwieg Ann S. 
Published: April 2007

The rhesus macaque (
Macaca mulatta
) is an abundant primate species that diverged from the ancestors of
Homo sapiens
about 25 million years ago. Because they are genetically and physiologically similar to humans, rhesus monkeys are the most widely used nonhuman primate in basic and applied biomedical research. We determined the genome sequence of an Indian-origin
Macaca mulatta
female and compared the data with chimpanzees and humans to reveal the structure of ancestral primate genomes and to identify evidence for positive selection and lineage-specific expansions and contractions of gene families. A comparison of sequences from individual animals was used to investigate their underlying genetic diversity. The complete description of the macaque genome blueprint enhances the utility of this animal model for biomedical research and improves our understanding of the basic biology of the species.