Detailed Gene Mapping, So Close Yet So Far

Since the mapping of the human genome, only a handful of people have had their genes analysed using this technology. But since that time gene mapping have been a lot less expensive considered to its early days. As Dr Richard Durbin of Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute says "We can do 100 times as much sequence today as before for the same amount of money," he explained. "That allows us to think about sequencing 1,000 people in order to see directly all those differences between people and to provide a foundation for future human genetics." Even though vastly different in the physical sense, two humans, like you and I, only have about 1% of our genetic make-up different. From the project scientist are able to see that all human genetic make-up is 99% similar with only minor inheritable differences. It is through this discovery and gene map that geneticists are now striving to discover the links between the gene variations between people and its link to disease. This attempt to accurately map out the genome and understand the remaining 1% difference is called the 1000 Genomes Project. "The dream of people working in the field would be to have a picture of all the places in our DNA sequence where there are differences between people, and how these fit together when they are inherited," says Dr Richard Durbin. From these new gene maps, inherited genetic diseases like cystic fibrosis can be better understood and hopefully prevented. But this area of human genetics there is till a gap in the knowledge of scientists. There is a new push to better understand, from gene mapping, the rare changes to the more common changes in the human genetic code. Many research institutes are keen on this new project and are using volunteers in an attempt to better understand the difference that makes one person different from another and hopefully in the future rid families of painstaking genetic diseases an relieve individuals with disease like Huntington’s disease. For further information check out the few links below.
By Alex Nguyen

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/7201994.stm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gene_Mapping