Ep5 - The Human Genome Project

Show Notes

Human Genome Project or HGP was spread as a 5-yr plan, and publications were released covering discoveries from 1988-1993, 1993 and 1998 and then the final leg from 1998-2003.

Sequencing of Human Genome was the overarching goal of HGP, but in the process they also achieved so many sub goals which were important milestones in itself. In 1988 they were aware that achievement of such a goal would require significant technological advancements in mapping, sequencing, informatics and gene identification. The HGP didn’t only sequence the human genome but sequenced other model organisms as well, like C.elegans, S. crevisae, E.coli, Drosphila Melangoster and mouse genome. Each of these publications also addressed the need to train scientists and computational personnel and the unmet need of computational processes. This also included expansion in the areas of sequencing technology - to increase the output and reduce cost.

Many sub goals were also devised to plan and elucidate the Human Genome Sequence Variaants or SNPs.

Appropriate policies were also put in place about the ethical need when collecting and using large amount of genetic data.

This formed the ELSI group or Ethical, Legal and Social Implication group which had its own goals to achieve.

HGP was an International collaboration - forming The International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium (IHGSC), an open collaboration involving twenty centres in six countries - USA, UK, France, Germany, Japan cand China.

References

1. Human Genome Project Timeline Of Events https://www.genome.gov/human-genome-project/Timeline-of-Events
2. Human Genome Project Information Archive1990–2003 https://web.ornl.gov/sci/techresources/Human_Genome/project/timeline.shtml
3. Heather, James M., and Benjamin Chain. “The sequence of sequencers: The history of sequencing DNA.” Genomics 107.1 (2016): 1-8.
4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hL-FM20fgKg
5. Dulbecco, Renato. “A turning point in cancer research: sequencing the human genome.” Science 231 (1986): 1055-1057.
6. DNA is a sttructure that encodes Biological information
7. International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium. “Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome.” Nature 431.7011 (2004): 931.
8. Collins, Francis, and David Galas. “A new five-year plan for the US Human Genome Project.” Science 262.5130 (1993): 43-46.
9. Collins, Francis S., et al. “New goals for the US human genome project: 1998-2003.” science 282.5389 (1998): 682-689.
10. Green, Eric D., James D. Watson, and Francis S. Collins. “Human Genome Project: Twenty-five years of big biology.” Nature 526.7571 (2015): 29-31.

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