Genomics

Genomics is the study of genomes and genes based on DNA sequencing.

Genome is the total gene complement of a haploid set of chromosomes and inherited as a unit from one parent.

A genome has a specific organisation and it can be artificially modified by introducing foreign genes.

Human Genome Project

It is a comprehensive international effort started in 1990 by molecular biologists to map the entire human genome by determining the complete nucleotide sequence of DNA of each chromosome.

Goals of the Project

a. To develop ways to map the human genome.

b. To develop tools for data analysis of the information.

c. To address ethical, legal and social issues that may arise.

Revelations of Genome

Some startling facts have been revealed by the human genome project.

a. We were expected to have more than 100,000 genes, but the count is much lower than expected, being about 30,000 to 40,000 genes.

b. We are 99.9% identical with each other at the DNA level.

c. Most of our genetic differences are shared among all ethnic groups and races spread over various geographic regions.

d. Different human genes vary widely in the length after over thousands of base pairs.

e. Only less than 2% of the genome is known to include the exons, the protein coding sequences.

f. Approximately 1 million copies of short 5-8 base pairs are repeated sequences clustered around the centromeres and near the ends of chromosomes representing junk DNA.

Prospects and Implications of Human Genome

The human genome sequencing holds promise for a healthier living. It will enhance the understanding of human genetics. It will provide information that will help prevent inherited diseases and lead to treatment of genetic disorders through gene therapy.