Question

What is the Human genome project? Briefly write about the salient features of the human genome project?

Answer 1

Hint: Genetic make-up of an organism or an individual lies in the DNA sequences. The differences in two individuals will naturally be reflected in the difference of their nucleotide sequence. They can be known only if the entire human genome is mapped. With the establishment of genetic engineering techniques where it was possible to isolate and clone any piece of DNA and availability of simple and fast techniques for determining DNA sequences, a project of sequencing human genome was launched in the year 1990.

Complete answer:
Human Genome Project was the international, collaborative research program whose goal was the entire mapping and understanding of all the genes of citizenry. All genes together of the haploid set of chromosomes are referred to as the genome.
Human genome project as a “mega project” was a 13- years old project, co-ordinated by the US Department of Energy and the National Institute of Health. Soon Welcome Trust of UK joined the project as a major partner, additional contributions came from Japan, France, Germany, China et al. The project was completed in 2003.
It was called as a mega project because-
Huge cost estimated to be 9 billion US dollars, the cost of sequencing 1 bp is USD 3.
Very huge number of base pairs to be identified and sequenced with the help of this project.
Requires a large number of scientists, technicians and supporting staff.
Storage of Data generated which requires some 3300 books, each with 1000 pages and each page having 1000 words typed letters. However, high speed computational devices for storage, retrieval and analysis of knowledge made it easier to try to do an equivalent.
Features of HGP are: -
Identification of all the approximately 20,000 to 25,000 genes in the human DNA.
To determine all the sequence of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that makes up the human DNA.
To store this information in databases.
To improve tools for data analysis.
Transfer related technologies to other sectors, such as industries.
To solve any ethical, legal and social issues i.e., ELSI.
Bioinformatics i.e., close association of HGP with the very fast development of a new area in biology.

Note:
Non-human organisms’ DNA sequences can lead to an understanding of their natural capabilities that can be applied towards solving challenges in health care, agriculture, energy production, environmental remediation. Many non-human model organisms such as bacteria, yeast, Drosophila, etc. have been sequenced.