Question: The common star fish with its ability to regrow lost limbs and open mussels even just by a few mm is impressive even without having a brain and I'm guessing that with them being closely related to Humans and other vertebrates the usefulness of there sequenced DNA would be greatly increased. But how would you determine what is allowing them to use such abilities mentioned above, and what is your reasoning as to why do you now wish to construct DNA sequencing on the common Starfish?

Common Starfish answered on 23 Nov 2017:

Obtaining the entire genome (DNA) sequence of the common starfish would enable us to identify all of the proteins that are encoded in the genome. It is the proteins encoded by genes that enable starfish to do many of the amazing things they do. So for example:
1). We could find out what features of the collagen proteins in starfish enable them to switch their body from from being soft to stiff – which is what they have to do when they open up a mussel.
2). We could find proteins that enable their tube feet to stick strongly to mussels when they are opening them.
3). We could find proteins that enable their nerves and arms to regenerate.
The genome sequence would provide the basis for all of this and much more.