If you have studied class 12th thoroughly, you will have some idea about the Genome and Human Genome Project. This article will facilitate a detailed understanding of this topic.
The Genome and Human Genome Project is a scientific research project designed to determine the base pairs that constitute the human DNA. Let us dive deep into today’s article to know more about the Genome and Human Genome Project.
Genome and human genome project definition
The Human Genome Project is an international collective investigation program. The main goals of this project were to understand the mapping of all the human genes, collectively called the genome. A genome is the complete set of DNA of any particular species or organism.
What is DNA?
Deoxyribonucleic acids are molecules made of two twisting strands that are paired in structure. There are four chemical units called nucleotide bases which are present in each strand. These nucleotide bases comprise adenine (A), thymine (T), guanine (G) and cytosine (C). The bases which are present in the opposite strands pair explicitly. An adenine (A) always pairs with thymine (T), and cytosine (C) always with a guanine (G). Hence DNA is a chemical compound that comprehends the genetic directions required to administer the activities of every species.
What is the reason for designing the Human Genome Project?
The primary mission of the Human Genome Project was to interpret the chemical sequence of the entire human genome material. They aimed to provide all the research aids and tools to analyse the genetic information. They aimed to identify all 50,000 to 100,000 genes contained within the genome. It was believed that when the genetic material contained in the DNA was isolated and analysed, the researchers and scientists could be provided with new methods to consider for their research. Their research was to identify the growth of diseases and to correspond to new approaches for treating and preventing the diseases.
All the current medical conditions which we see in human beings have evolved from the changes in the structure and functions of DNA. Common disorders and medical conditions are heritable and are inherited due to mutations in a single gene. Complex medical conditions and disorders are heritable diseases inherited due to mutations in multiple genes. Physical injuries do not fall under these conditions.
Goals of the Human Genome Project
Since the Human Genome Project is an international program, a special committee initially articulated the main goals. A detailed plan was later adopted by the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Energy.
The National Institutes of Health and the Department of Energy signed an agreement to work together and coordinate the research related to the human genome.
The major goals of the human genome project included:
- determining the way the genes were reflected in order or a sequence
- determining all the bases in the genome’s DNA
- determining the locations of the genes for all the major chromosomes
- tracking the inherited traits of human beings across generations
- determining the linkage of the inherited traits.
The main goals also included producing research material and tools for the researchers to identify the genes involved in both complex and common diseases. The main research technique included positional cloning. They researched the disease linked directly in the genome without having to identify the protein function.
Genome and human genome project classification
The human genomic regions are classified based on the experimentally revealed sites. Binding data has been arrived at for more than 100 transcription factors from multiple cell types. This large volume of data provides a valuable resource though it covers only a small fraction of all human transcription factors.
Statistical models have been constructed to capture the features of three paired region types. The regions included those which were actively or inactively binding, extremely hot and low degrees regions, regulatory modules to the genes. When the regulatory modules were recognized, it created pipelines to identify the possible enhancers which were validated. The possible enhancers were associated with the possible target transcripts. It was concluded that the three pairs of regions exhibited complicated variances in chromosomal locations. The aspects that bind them and the cell-type specificity exhibited complicated variances.
Access to the human genome data and details
All data relating to the genome are made public by the Human Genome Project. Any new details and data about the genome are also posted frequently on freely accessible sites and published in journals. A rule was passed that though the human genes are naturally occurring, they cannot be patented. However, certain private companies apply for patents on certain synthetic genes; these synthetic genes can be altered from their natural types to form a new product.
Conclusion
The Human Genome Project is an ambitious undertaking that aims to identify, map and sequence the human genome, i.e., all the human genes. It has been designed to understand location, role and possible impact of all genes on human survival and healthy longevity.