Prof. Dr. Elena Bužan and her co-authors published a research paper entitled “Diversity of MHC class II DRB alleles in the Northern chamois genus Rupicapra” in the Journal of Mammalogy.
The scientists studied a group of major histocompatibility complex immunogens in the northern chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra). These genes are under the influence of natural selection, helping the species to adapt to its environment and offering insights into the genetic and evolutionary potential of the species. Using advanced next-generation sequencing technology, they have found that genetic variation maintains balanced selection in different groups of populations that have similar gene frequencies. This mechanism works even in small, isolated groups that are severely affected by random changes in genetic transcripts, known as genetic drift.
