Scientists studying the genome say causes of diseases and other human blueprints may be contained in DNA strands previously dismissed as "junk." Prior to this find, researchers focused on studying a fraction of cell molecules. The discovery may now alter the way science views gene regulation, or in other words, pages in the "book of life."
The Herald | 06/14/07
The human genetic code is far more complex and dynamic than scientists had previously imagined, a study by experts from around the world has found.
It was previously assumed only certain stretches of DNA, the genes, had any important function. However, the study shows most of the genome, including parts dismissed as "junk," appears to be actively involved in relaying instructions to cells within the body.
Tapestry of Connections
Instead of a desert containing occasional oases, scientists now see the genome as an intricate tapestry of interwoven connections.
Tim Hubbard, from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Hinxton, England, who took part in the research, said: "The majority of the genome is copied, or transcribed, into RNA, the active molecule in our cells. This is a remarkable finding, since most prior research suggested only a fraction of the genome was transcribed."
Scientists had already learned areas of DNA outside the genes were involved in gene regulation, but the new work identifies previously unknown control regions.
"The integrated approach has helped us to identify new regions of gene regulation and altered our view of how it occurs," said Hubbard.
Five-year study
The ENCODE (Encyclopedia of DNA Elements) project involved scientists from 80 centers and took five years.
Manolis Dermitzakis, another member of the Sanger team, said: "A major surprise was that many of the novel control regions are not shared with other species. We appear to have a reservoir of active elements that seem to provide no specific or direct benefit.
"Our suggestion is these elements can provide a source for new variation between species and within the human genome. This is our genomic seedcorn for the future."
The Herald | 06/14/07
The human genetic code is far more complex and dynamic than scientists had previously imagined, a study by experts from around the world has found.
It was previously assumed only certain stretches of DNA, the genes, had any important function. However, the study shows most of the genome, including parts dismissed as "junk," appears to be actively involved in relaying instructions to cells within the body.
Tapestry of Connections
Instead of a desert containing occasional oases, scientists now see the genome as an intricate tapestry of interwoven connections.
Tim Hubbard, from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in Hinxton, England, who took part in the research, said: "The majority of the genome is copied, or transcribed, into RNA, the active molecule in our cells. This is a remarkable finding, since most prior research suggested only a fraction of the genome was transcribed."
Scientists had already learned areas of DNA outside the genes were involved in gene regulation, but the new work identifies previously unknown control regions.
"The integrated approach has helped us to identify new regions of gene regulation and altered our view of how it occurs," said Hubbard.
Five-year study
The ENCODE (Encyclopedia of DNA Elements) project involved scientists from 80 centers and took five years.
Manolis Dermitzakis, another member of the Sanger team, said: "A major surprise was that many of the novel control regions are not shared with other species. We appear to have a reservoir of active elements that seem to provide no specific or direct benefit.
"Our suggestion is these elements can provide a source for new variation between species and within the human genome. This is our genomic seedcorn for the future."
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