Tag: Celera Genomics

Mice Share 97.5 Percent of Genes with Human Beings

A comparison of the mouse genome to the human genome by researchers at Celera Genomics suggests that the genome of mice is nearly identical to that of human beings.

Comparing mouse chromosome 16 with human DNA, the researchers found that 97.5 percent of the mouse genes were also present in human beings. This contradicts longstanding estimates that the mouse genome may vary from humans by as much as 15 percent.

The major lesson here is that genes are important, obviously, but it is how those genes are expressed and regulated that appears to be what is most important in differentiating between relatively closely related species (mice and human beings are believed to share a common ancestor as little as 100 million years ago).

Arguments that rely on the apparent similarity of genomes between two different species (such as, say, chimpanzees and human beings) are far less compelling than they appear.

Source:

Just 2.5% of DNA turns mice into men. NewScientist.Com, May 30, 2002.

Celera Wins Grant to Decode Rat Genome

Following its successes with decoding the genomes of humans, mice and flies, Celera Genomics recently announced it had been awarded a $58 million National Institutes Health grant, along with the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, to sequence the DNA of rats. Since rats are widely used in medical experiments already, the rat genome could provide a lot of clues to understanding human and animal diseases.

The rat’s genome is believed to be about the same size as that of human beings. Rats are preferred over mice in medical research because, among other things, they have larger bodies which make it easier to study models of human diseases.

Celera’s Craig Venter told The BBC, “WE believe that by pooling our resources [with the Baylor College of Medicine] we can quickly unlock the mysteries of this important model organism which should aid researchers in their quest for a better understanding of basic human biology and health, and thus to find improved cures and treatments for disease.”

Source:

Rat genome is next. The BBC, March 1, 2001.

Celera Anounces Decoding of Mouse Genome

On the heels of the publication of the human genome, |Celera| Genomics announced that it has completed sequencing the mouse genome. Since the mouse genome has a very large degree of overlap with the human genome, comparing the two genomes should yield important clues in understanding how human genes function.

Celera used its now-famous whole genome shotgun approach which helped it make such quick strides in sequencing the human genome. Celera used laboratory mice as the source of the genes it sequenced.

Now, Celera will turn to refining its mouse genome, annotating and analyzing the role of specific genes. Eventually extensive laboratory research will try to discern the function of specific genes by knocking them out of mice and then observing how the genetically modified mice are changed by the procedure.

Source:

The crucial mouse genome is assemblled, says Celera, the company which delivered the human genome on Monday. New Scientist, February 14, 2001.