A Comparative Study of Haemoglobin and Myoglobin Sequences in Selected Primates using Blast and Cobalt

Abstract

Protein sequences of Haemoglobin (Hb) and Myoglobin (Mb) were downloaded from SWISSPROT and studied using bioinformatic tools BLAST and COBALT. It was found that Hb was much more conserved than Mb and that Human sequences should great similarity to Chimpanzees. Old World monkeys showed maximum differences. Phylogenetic trees constructed were consistent with previous studies which mapped the evolutionary route. Authors suggest a drastic overhaul of bioinformatic syllabi at practical and theory level so that students of zoology are equipped to use bioinformatic tools for their investigation in taxonomy, systematics, evolution etc.