Having genome sequences for a wide zoo of creatures will be very important. The fruit fly's complete genome is expected next, he notes. Biologists caution that sequencing an animal's genome is but a first step toward a better understanding of the animal. More than half the newfound C. elegans genes have no identified function. Calif. Researchers plan to inactivate every one of the worm's genes in an attempt to understand each one's role in development and adult life.
Biologists also propose to make movies of every gene's activity in the worm's development and life.
To do this, they intend to fuse each of its genes to a jellyfish gene encoding a light-emitting molecule. With all this attention on C. elegans, it's easy to forget C. briggsae. That worm did land a supporting role. Scientists are now sequencing parts of its genome for comparison. It's just not as photogenic or easy to work with, notes Brenner.