Interpretation of “differences in the human genome”
In the United States magazine “Science,” the world’s top ten scientific advances of this year, the “Human Genome differences,” the study were classified as the most important scientific advances.
The so-called “differences in the human genome,” the study is not DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), a genetic significance of the clips - genes, but the basic DNA of units - single nucleotide difference between the base, the so-called single - nucleotide polymorphisms.
“Science” magazine editor responsible for judging Robert hole Mainz said: “Over the years, people talk about how we have been similar, or even how people and apes similar 2007 study of several frontier gave us that the first time , and also between the people of DNA is very different. ”
Hole Mainz said this is a conceptual leap in the understanding, treatment will be from the doctors that we look at ourselves and the protection of individual privacy, and many other events have an impact.
This year, there were more than 10 research projects using a whole genome association study analysis of single nucleotide polymorphism, this analysis is by comparing the health of the patients and DNA, to determine which will have slight differences in disease risk.
“Science” magazine, this analysis method causing people to a new understanding of many diseases. On this basis, scientists found with atrial fibrillation, autoimmune diseases, manic depression, breast cancer, colon cancer, type 1 and type 2 diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, etc. disease-related genes.
In addition, this year the birth of a new industry, that is, the individual genome sequencing. May of this year, the double helix structure of DNA discoverer Danmushiwosen become one of the world’s first possession of such patterns people. This, however, the cost of sequencing between 300,000 to 1 million US dollars between, for most people, or too expensive.
However, as technology advances, sequencing costs in the near future is expected to greatly reduced. When that day comes, many people will have their own individual genome, which will enable them know that they are susceptible to the disease.
