Bat genomes illuminate adaptations to viral tolerance and disease resistance | Nature Zoonoses are infectious diseases transmitted from animals to humans. Bats have been suggested to harbour more zoonotic viruses than any other mammalian order1. Infections in bats are largely asymptomatic2,3, indicating limited tissue-damaging inflammation and immunopathology. To investigate the genomic basis of disease resistance, the Bat1K project generated reference-quality genomes of ten bat species, including potential viral reservoirs. Here we describe a systematic analysis covering 115 mammalian genomes that revealed that signatures of selection in immune genes are more prevalent in bats than in other mammalian orders. We found an excess of immune gene adaptations in the ancestral chiropteran branch and in many descending bat lineages, highlighting viral entry and detection factors, and regulators of antiviral and inflammatory responses. ISG15, which is an antiviral gene contributing to hyperinflammation during COVID-19 (refs. 4,5), exhibits key residue changes in rhinolophid and

🐵🦇Bats: Genetic masters of viral tolerance! 10 genomes analyzed by #Bat1K reveal secrets of disease resistance. Dive into their immunity magic! #BatScience PMID:39880942, Nature 2025, @Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-08471-0 #Medsky #Pharmsky #RNA #ASHG #ESHG 🧪

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Bats have a built-in anti-virus defence system! A new study of 20 bat genomes has revealed a broad range of immune adaptations that provide viral tolerance and resistance to infections: www.nature.com/articles/s41... #virus #infection #disease #immunity #bats #zoonosis #immunology #bat1k

Bats' genetic adaptations: How they tolerate coronaviruses without becoming ill New research from the University of St Andrews has shown that bats can tolerate coronaviruses and other viruses without becoming ill, thanks to special adaptations of their immune system.

#Bats' #genetic adaptations: How they tolerate #coronaviruses without becoming ill.

#evolution #selection #immunology #Bat1K #genomics #virus

phys.org/news/2025-01...

Bat genomes illuminate adaptations to viral tolerance and disease resistance - Nature A systematic analysis of 115 mammalian genomes, including 10 new bat genomes, reveals prevalent positive selection in immune genes in bats and shows key adaptations in the antiviral gene ISG15 that aid disease resistance in bats, including to coronaviruses.

🦇 Excellent effort finally out, diving deeper and deeper into bat immunology, genomics and the evolutionary adaptations dictating reservoir competence!

#bats #zoonoticdiseases #Bat1K #zoonoticreservoir #OneHealth #virology #immunology #genomics

www.nature.com/articles/s41...

Bat genomes illuminate adaptations to viral tolerance and disease resistance - Nature A systematic analysis of 115 mammalian genomes, including 10 new bat genomes, reveals prevalent positive selection in immune genes in bats and shows key adaptations in the antiviral gene ISG15 that ai...

🚨 FINALLY OUT IN @Nature.

A tour de force effort. 🦇 10 new bat genomes, excess of immune gene adaptations, species specific adaptations in ISG15, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of bat ISG15. @hillermich.bsky.social @batresearch.bsky.social #LZCI #Bat1K

www.nature.com/articles/s41...