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Genome, Human Genome Project
A genome is an organism’s complete
set of DNA, including all of its
genes. Each genome contains all of
the information needed to build and
maintain that organism. In humans, a
copy of the entire genome—more than
3 billion DNA base pairs—is
contained in all cells that have a
nucleus.
What was the Human Genome Project
and why has it been important?
The Human Genome Project was an
international research effort to
determine the sequence of the human
genome and identify the genes that
it contains. The Project was
coordinated by the National
Institutes of Health and the U.S.
Department of Energy. Additional
contributors included universities
across the United States and
international partners in the United
Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, and
China. The Human Genome Project
formally began in 1990 and was
completed in 2003, 2 years ahead of
its original schedule.
The work of the Human Genome Project
has allowed researchers to begin to
understand the blueprint for
building a person. As researchers
learn more about the functions of
genes and proteins, this knowledge
will have a major impact in the
fields of medicine, biotechnology,
and the life sciences.
Content Courtesy : ghr.nlm.nih.gov
Note : Information herein is
provided for informational purposes
only and is not a substitute for
professional medical advice. You
should not use this information for
diagnosing or treating a medical or
health condition. If you have or
suspect you have a medical problem,
promptly contact your professional
healthcare provider. Please consult
your healthcare provider before
beginning any course of
supplementation or treatment.
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