IPD-MHC

The IPD-MHC is announcing a significant expansion with the inclusion of the cetacean taxonomic group. This development marks a major milestone in the field of marine immunogenetics, providing researchers with valuable data to study the immune system of whales, dolphins, and porpoises.

Cetaceans, which include over 80 species, are known for their complex social behaviors and impressive cognitive abilities, but their immune systems have remained largely unexplored. The integration of cetacean MHC data into the IPD-MHC Database opens new avenues for research into the evolutionary pressures these species face, especially in the context of changing ocean ecosystems and increasing human impact.

This addition is a game-changer for marine immunogenetics. Having access to cetacean MHC data will allow us to explore how these animals’ immune systems have evolved in response to their unique marine environments. Dr Dorothea Heimeier

This addition was possible thanks to the effort of researchers from the University of St Andrews (UK) and the University of Auckland (New Zealand) that described 354 alleles for both MHC Class I and Class II. Funding for this work was received form National Geographic and The Royal Society.

• Heimeier, D., Garland, E. C., Eichenberger, F., Garrigue, C., Vella, A., Baker, C. S., & Carroll,E. L. (2024). A pan-cetacean MHC amplicon sequencing panel developed and evaluated in combination with genome assemblies. Molecular Ecology Resources, 24, e13955. DOI