Editing Red panda (section)

===Genomics===
Analysis of 53 red panda samples from Sichuan and Yunnan showed a high level of [[genetic diversity]].<ref>{{cite journal |author1=Su, B. |author2=Fu, Y. |author3=Wang, Y. |author4=Jin, L. |author5=Chakraborty, R. |name-list-style=amp |year=2001 |title=Genetic diversity and population history of the Red Panda (''Ailurus fulgens'') as inferred from mitochondrial DNA sequence variations |journal=Molecular Biology and Evolution |volume=18 |issue=6 |pages=1070–1076 |doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.molbev.a003878 |pmid=11371595 |doi-access=free}}</ref> The full [[genome]] of the red panda was sequenced in 2017. Researchers have compared it to the genome of the giant panda to learn the genetics of [[convergent evolution]], as both species have false thumbs and are adapted for a specialised bamboo diet despite having the digestive system of a carnivore. Both pandas show modifications to certain limb development genes ([[DYNC2H1]] and [[PCNT]]), which may play roles in the development of the thumbs.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hu|first1=Y. |name-list-style=amp |author2=Wu, Q. |author3=Ma, S. |author4=Ma, T. |author5=Shan, L. |author6=Wang, X. |author7=Nie, Y. |author8=Ning, Z. |author9=Yan, L. |author10=Xiu, Y. |author11=Wei, F. |year=2017|title=Comparative genomics reveals convergent evolution between the bamboo-eating giant and red pandas |journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |volume=114|issue=5|pages=1081–1086 |doi=10.1073/pnas.1613870114 |pmid=28096377 |pmc=5293045 |bibcode=2017PNAS..114.1081H |doi-access=free}}</ref> In switching from a carnivorous to a herbivorous diet, both species have reactivated taste receptor genes used for detecting [[Bitter (taste)|bitterness]], though the specific genes are different.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Shan|first1=L. |last2=Wu|first2=Q. |last3=Wange|first3=L. |last4=Zhang|first4=L. |last5=Wei|first5=F. |year=2017|title=Lineage-specific evolution of bitter taste receptor genes in the giant and red pandas implies dietary adaptation |journal=Integrative Zoology |volume=13 |issue=2 |pages=152–159 |doi=10.1111/1749-4877.12291 |pmid=29168616 |pmc=5873442 |name-list-style=amp}}</ref>