Human Genome Project: Difference between revisions
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===[[Episode:Six Months Ago|Six Months Ago]]=== |
===[[Episode:Six Months Ago|Six Months Ago]]=== |
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[[Chandra Suresh|Dr. Chandra Suresh]] reveals that he used data from the Human Genome Project to compile a [[The list|list]] of [[evolved humans|people]] he believed would have unusual [[powers]] as a result a new structure [[evolution|evolving]] in the human [[brain]]. |
[[Chandra Suresh|Dr. Chandra Suresh]] reveals that he used data from the Human Genome Project to compile a [[The list|list]] of [[evolved humans|people]] he believed would have unusual [[powers]] as a result a new structure [[evolution|evolving]] in the human [[brain]]. |
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===[[Episode:Unexpected|Unexpected]]=== |
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[[Dale Smither]] asks [[Mohinder Suresh]] how he was able to locate her. Mohinder reminds Dale that she donated blood eleven years ago and signed a form to allow its use in the Human Genome Project. |
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Revision as of 21:30, 22 February 2007
| Human Genome Project | |
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 The logo of the Human Genome Project | |
The Human Genome Project is an international effort to determine the sequence of nucleotides in human DNA and identify all of the genes encoded therein.
About
The Human Genome Project was started in 1990 as a joint effort between the United States (the Department of Energy and the National Institute of Health) and researchers in China, France, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom, at an estimated cost of (US) $3 billion. A "rough draft" of the human genome was made public in the year 2000, followed by a announcement of a nearly complete sequencing of all human genes in 2003. In May 2006, researchers announced that they had fully sequenced all genes in Chromosome 1 (the largest human chromosome).
Current technology limits the ability to decode many parts of the human genome, including the centromeres (repetative centers of the chromosomes), the telomeres (tips of the chromosomes, believed to be controls of cell aging), and some dense areas that appear to produce immunity defenses to disease. It is estimated that 92% of the human genome has been sequenced to date.
One interesting discovery was that as much as 98% of the DNA sequence found in the human chromosomes are not involved in protein encoding — these sequences are often referred to as "junk DNA". While their true functions are unknown, the "junk DNA" may still serve important roles: as mounting points for the protein-producing RNA, as radiation shielding for the more critical genes, or as sites of new evolving genes.
References
Six Months Ago
Dr. Chandra Suresh reveals that he used data from the Human Genome Project to compile a list of people he believed would have unusual powers as a result a new structure evolving in the human brain.
Unexpected
Dale Smither asks Mohinder Suresh how he was able to locate her. Mohinder reminds Dale that she donated blood eleven years ago and signed a form to allow its use in the Human Genome Project.