Name: The secret of the bat genome
Uploaded: 2012-10-31T15:00:56Z
Duration: 16 min 8 s
Description: In Western society, bats are often characterized as creepy, even evil. Zoologist Emma Teeling encourages us to rethink common attitudes toward bats, whose unique and fascinating biology gives us insight into our own genetic makeup.

Emma Teeling: The secret of the bat genome

The secret of the bat genome

In Western society, bats are often characterized as creepy, even evil. Zoologist Emma Teeling encourages us to rethink common attitudes toward bats, whose unique and fascinating biology gives us insight into our own genetic makeup.

Bats are far more than feared creatures of the night; they are vital to healthy ecosystems, economic stability, and scientific discovery. One-fifth of all mammal species are bats, and they can live up to nine times longer than expected for their size. Their unique sensory systems provide insight into diseases like blindness and deafness, while their absence would cost U.S. agriculture billions. Unlocking the secrets in their DNA could even reveal new ways to slow aging.