Human Genome Project Media Room
The
Human Genome Project was completed in 2003. This site contains information
on the project's history, research, and impact areas.
Contact
Us
Genome
Management Information System
millsmd@ornl.gov
865-574-0597
Request a Media
Kit
Images
free,
reproducible, high resolution
Genome
Science
overviews, backgrounders
• Genome
Primer
(PDF)
• Facts About
Genome Sequencing
• DNA
Sequencing Process
• SNP Fact Sheet
• Functional
& Comparative Genomics
• Insights
from the Sequence
• HGP
Landmark Papers
• HGP
Sequence Databases
Areas
of Impact
•
Medicine
and the New Genetics
• Pharmacogenomics
• Gene
Testing
• Gene
Therapy
• Ethical, Legal,
and Social Issues
• Genetically
Modified Foods and Organisms
• Genetics
and Privacy Legislation
• Genetics
and Patenting
• DNA Forensics
• Behavioral
Genetics
• Minorities,
Race, and Genomics
• Genetic
Anthropology, Ancestry, and Ancient Human Migration
|
U.S.
Dept. of Energy & the HGP
• Fact
Sheet about DOE's involvement in the HGP
• DOE
investments contributing to HGP's success
• Website
of the DOE Human Genome Program
Spin-off
Research Programs
• DOE
Genomic Science Program
• DOE Microbial Genome
Project
• International
HapMap Project
• Human Microbiome Project
• Genographic
Project
• Environmental Genome
Project
• Environmental
Genome Project
• Cancer Genome Anatomy Project
HGP
Background Information
• History
• Goals
• Timeline
• Budget
• What
labs were involved?
• How
did HGP catalyze biotechnology industry?
• Whose
genome was studied?
• Benefits
of Genome Research
• Human
Genome News
Archives |
News
Archive
•Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) Becomes Law (May 2008)
•Landmark Paper: Mapping and sequencing of structural variation from eight human genomes (Nature, May 1, 2008)
•Human Genome Sequence Researchers Trim Gene Count to 20,000 - 25,000 (October, 2004)
•Announcements
on the Human Genome Project Completion (April 14, 2003)
•Announcements on the First Analysis of Genome
Sequence (February 12, 2001)
• Completion of the First Survey
of the Entire Human Genome (June 26, 2000)
• DOE completes working drafts
of human chromosomes 5, 16, and 19 (April 13, 2000)
• Background
handout on chr. 5, 16, 19 (April 2000)
• Genome sequence
of fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is completed (April 2000)
• US
HGP reaches 2 billionth base --2/3 of genome is complete (March 2000)
• Human
chromosome 22 completed: first human chromosome to be sequenced (December
1999)
• HGP
leaders confirm accelerated timetable for draft sequence (October
1999)
|
What is
the Human Genome Project?
Begun formally in 1990, the U.S. Human Genome Project was a 13-year effort
coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Institutes of
Health. The project originally was planned to last 15 years, but rapid technological
advances accelerated the expected completion date to April 2003. Project goals:
- identify all the approximately 20,000-25,000 genes in human DNA,
- determine the sequences of the 3 billion chemical bases that make
up human DNA,
- store this information in databases,
- develop faster, more efficient sequencing technologies,
- develop tools for data analysis, and
- address the ethical, legal, and social issues (ELSI) that may arise
from the project.
To help achieve these goals, researchers also studied the genetic makeup of several
nonhuman organisms. These include the common human gut bacterium Escherichia
coli, the fruit fly, and the laboratory mouse. Several types of genome maps
have been completed, and a working draft of the entire human genome sequence was
announced in June 2000, with analyses
published in February 2001. The high-quality, finished version of the human genome
sequence was completed in 2003. Papers and journal articles are still forthcoming.
A unique aspect of the U.S. Human Genome Project is that it was the first large
scientific undertaking to address the ELSI implications that might arise from
the project.
Another important feature of the project was the federal government's long-standing
dedication to the transfer of technology to the private sector. By licensing
technologies to private companies and awarding grants for innovative research,
the project is catalyzed the multibillion-dollar U.S. biotechnology industry
and fostering the development of numerous technologies and new medical
applications.
Quick Facts
• Estimated
sizes of human chromosomes
• Comparative genome
sizes of humans and other organisms
• Four chemical bases present in DNA: adenine (A), thymine (T), cytosine (C),
and guanine (G)
• Number of chromosomes in the human: 24 chromosomes (1, 2, 3, ...22 + X + Y)
arranged in 23 pairs (females have 2 copies of chromosomes 1 through 22 + 2
copies of the X chromosome; males have 2 copies of chromosomes 1 through 22
+ one X and one Y chromosome)
• Estimated number of genes in the human genome: ~20,000-25,000
• Number of basepairs in the human genome: 3 billion
• U.S. HGP officially began in 1990 and was completed in 2003; see timeline
• U.S. HGP Joint Leaders: Ari Patrinos (DOE HGP) and Francis Collins (NIH NHGRI)
• HGP Research areas: sequencing,
mapping, instrumentation,
bioinformatics,
comparative and
functional genomics,
ELSI (ethical, legal,
and social issues)
For more specific information, search this site:
Request
a Media Kit
To obtain a media kit complete
this form;
specify Media/Press Kit and give your STREET ADDRESS. If you do not have access
to email,
request a kit by calling 865/574-0597.
|
