The JGI is part of a consortium of five major international partners working together to provide by 2003 a high-quality reference sequence for the entire human genome the ultimate goal of the Human Genome Project. Knowledge about genes will increase understanding of how genetics influences the development of disease, help researchers find genes associated with particular diseases, and aid in the development of new pharmaceuticals. DNA Sequencing DNA sequencing determines the exact order of the individual chemical building blocks, or bases, that make up the human genome. Scientists believe that a high-quality sequence is critical for recognizing control components of genes that are very important in understanding human biology and such disorders as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. These complex diseases are thought to be influenced by multiple genes interacting among themselves and with environmental factors.
Some specific examples follow.
Human chromosomes range in size from about 50 million to 260 million bases. Last year, researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory discovered two genes on chromosome 5 that contribute to the development of asthma, a complex disease believed to be linked to a number of genes. Further work may reveal additional genes or biological pathways linked to asthma and may suggest potential target for drug interventions. Knowledge gained through HGP data will pave the way for earlier diagnostic methods and more effective treatments of this disease. Important genes that have been the focus of intense study include three involved in the repair of DNA damage caused by exposure to radiation and other environmental pollutants.