Health Information

The most important features of a DNA molecule are the nucleotide sequences, and the identification of genes and their activities. Since 1920, scientists have been working to determine the sequences of pieces of DNA. This was further extended for the complete sequence determination of genome of certain lower organism’s example plasmid pBR 322 in 1979. The mitochondrial genome was sequenced in 1981.

The birth and activity of human genome project

The human genome project (HGP) was conceived in 1984, and officially began in earnest in October 1990. The primary objective of HGP was to determine the nucleotide sequence of the entire human nuclear genome. In addition, HGP was also entrusted to elucidate the genomes of several other model organisms. James Watson (who elucidated DNA structure) was the first director of HGP.

In 1977, United States established the national human genome research institute. The HGP was an international venture involving research groups from six countries – USA, UK, France, Germany, Japan and China, and several individual laboratories and a large number of scientists and technicians from various disciplines. This collaborative venture was named as international human genome sequencing consortium and was headed by Francis Collins. A total expenditure of $3 billion, and a time period of 10-15 years for the completion of HGP were expected. A second human genome project was set up by a private company – Celera genomics, of Maryland USA in 1998. This team was led by Craig Venter. Very rapid and unexpected progress occurred in HGP with good cooperation between the two teams of workers and improved methods in sequencing.

Announcement of the draft sequence of human genome

The date 26th June 2000 will be remembered as one of the most important dates in the history of science or even mankind. It was on this day, Francis Collins and Craig Venter, the leaders of the two human genome projects, in the presence of the president of U.S., jointly announced the working drafts of human genome sequence. The detailed results of the teams were later published in February 2001 in scientific journals Nature (IHGSC) and science (Celera Genomics).

The human genome project results attracted worldwide attention. This achievement was hailed with many descriptions in the media.
• The mystery of life unraveled.
• The library of life.
• The periodic table of life.
• The holy grail of human genetics.
It may however, be noted that the draft human genome sequences were not complete, and may represent around 90%. The remaining 10% is made up of sequence where few genes are located.