Celera Genomics, which earlier had mapped the human genome, announced this week it had completed 99 percent of the mouse genome map. The Rockville, Md.-based company used technology developed and designed by its sister company, Applied Biosystems in Foster City, to map the mouse genome. The two companies are collaborating to build technology that will sequence the genetic information and interpret its meaning. Mice often are used in medical research because their genetic make-up closely resembles that of humans. Mouse models are commonly used to research treatments for diseases such as cancer.
Cancer is a product of cells replicating out of control because of malfunctioning genes.
A map of the mouse genome will provide critical information quickly to researchers, and that's expected to move the development of new treatments along faster, say local researchers. The map is valuable. It's a starting point. Deltagen and other Bay Area biotech companies are trying to determine the function of genes by extracting them one by one from a mouse and examining the results. For example, if the mouse ages rapidly, the gene likely is related to aging.