Genre: Instruction

Anyone with a computer and an Internet connnection can now explore the draft sequence of the human genome. How can molecular biologists capitalize on these data riches, and what are the advantages of using the assembled draft sequence? This website aims to jump-start those who want make use of this information, but are not sure where or how to start. Genome showcase The development of the mammalian embryo is a tightly controlled molecular process. The mechanism that guides the way nerve cells grow in developing limbs is a hot topic for research. In mice, there is a molecule shown to be important for nerve routing, called Lmx1b. The chromosomes of cancer cells are often arranged incorrectly, or have large pieces missing or repeated. For example, on chromosome 13, there seems to be a hotspot for damage at position 13q14 that is observed in many types of leukemia. Studying the genes found in this region will give clues about how the breakage is affecting the cell at the molecular level. Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is an inherited neurodegenerative disorder that effects about 1 in 15-20,000 males. It arises through a mutation in the ALD gene, which is found on the X chromosome. People with ALD accumulate high levels of saturated, very long chain fatty acids in their brain, which causes the loss of myelin on nerve fibers. The effective detection of the ALD mutation is key for diagnosing this disease. While we've all heard of one 'ADAMs family', there's another less well-known group of relations that can be found in the human genome. The ADAM gene family codes for proteins that can both cut and paste, i.e. they are thought to have both cell adhesion and protease activities. They are at the scene of many important physiological processes, such as fertilization, and the formation of nerves and muscle. A person's disposition towards having a heart attack not only depends on factors like diet and excerise, but also on the genetic make-up of the individual. No one gene is responsible for this kind of trait - instead, lots of one-base changes (SNPs) spread over the whole genome may add up to make a contribution.