Human genome project

Human Genome Project is an international scientific research project with the goal of determining the sequence of nucleotide base pairs that make up human DNA, and of identifying and mapping all of the genes of the human genome from both a physical and a functional standpoint. It remains the world's largest collaborative biological project.

History

The Human Genome Project originally aimed to map the nucleotides contained in a haploid reference human genome (more than three billion). The "genome" of any given individual is unique; mapping the "human genome" involves sequencing multiple variations of each gene.

Goals

The primary goal of the HGP was to produce a complete and accurate sequence of the 3 billion DNA base pairs that make up the human genome and to find all of the estimated 20,000 to 25,000 human genes. The project also aimed to sequence the genomes of several other organisms that are important to medical research, such as the mouse and the fruit fly.

Methods

Several methods were used to carry out the sequencing of the Human Genome Project. The first method was the hierarchical shotgun method, which involved breaking the genome into larger segments and then into smaller segments to be sequenced. The second method was the whole genome shotgun method, which involved breaking the entire genome into small segments directly and then assembling them.

Impact

The Human Genome Project has had a profound impact on a variety of fields, from biology to ethics. It has revolutionized our understanding of human genetics, enabling us to begin to understand the genetic basis of various diseases and conditions.

See also

• Genome
• Genetics
• DNA sequencing
• Bioinformatics

References

Human genome project Resources
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