Encode

Encode is a project that aims to identify all functional elements in the human genome. The project is a collective effort of research groups from around the world and is coordinated by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). The name "Encode" stands for Encyclopedia of DNA Elements.

Overview

The Encode project was launched in 2003 as a follow-up to the Human Genome Project. The main goal of the project is to identify all the functional elements in the human genome, including genes, transcription factor binding sites, and regions of chromatin structure.

The project uses a variety of experimental techniques, including DNA sequencing, chromatin immunoprecipitation, and RNA sequencing, to identify and characterize these elements. The data generated by the project is freely available to the scientific community and is used in a wide range of biomedical research.

Phases of the Encode Project

The Encode project has been carried out in several phases. The pilot phase, which ran from 2003 to 2007, focused on a representative 1% of the human genome. The second phase, which ran from 2007 to 2012, aimed to identify all functional elements in the entire human genome. The third phase, which started in 2012, focuses on understanding the role of these elements in health and disease.

Impact of the Encode Project

The Encode project has had a significant impact on our understanding of the human genome. It has revealed that a large portion of the genome, previously thought to be "junk DNA", is actually functional. It has also identified thousands of new genes and regulatory elements, and has provided insights into the complex regulatory networks that control gene expression.

See Also

• Genomics
• Functional genomics
• Comparative genomics
• Genome annotation

References

Encode Resources
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