Encode
30 September 2003
The Sanger Institute's Ian Dunham is taking part in a new international collaboration, the ENCyclopedia Of DNA Elements (ENCODE) project, a three-year, US$36 million project seeking to pin down all the so-called functional elements in human DNA.
Protein-coding sequences account for about 2 per cent of the human genome. Equally important are other DNA sequences that, for example, control when genes are turned on and off (promoters, enhancers and so on) and other sequences that are important in chromosome structure and function, such as origins of replication.
These sequences are less well characterised than protein-coding genes. A comprehensive encyclopedia of all of these features is needed to utilise the sequence fully and understand human biology better, to predict potential disease risks, and to stimulate the development of new therapies to prevent and treat these diseases.
The ENCODE project, which is led by the US National Human Genome Research Institute, is an international consortium involving scientists in government, industry and academia. In the pilot project, research groups will work cooperatively to test efficient, high-throughput methods for identifying, locating and fully analysing all of the functional elements contained in a set of DNA target regions covering about 1 per cent of the human genome. Dr Dunham was awarded US$730 000 in funds following an open competition.
See also
External links
- ENCODE Project at the US National Human Genome Research Institute