8.3 using genome project

• genome

  the complete set of genes in a cell
• proteome

  the full range of proteins that a cell can produce (coded for by the cell’s DNA / genome)
• what is genome sequencing and why is it important

  identifying the DNA base sequence of an organism’s genome

  so amino acid sequences of proteins that derive from an organism’s genetic code can be determined
• explain how determining the genome of a pathogen could allow vaccines to be developed

  could identify the pathogen’s proteome

  so could identify potential antigens (proteins that stimulate an immune response) to use in the vaccine
• other potential applications of genome sequencing projects

  identification of genes / alleles associated with genetic diseases / cancers

  new targeted drugs / gene therapy can be developed

  can screen patients, allowing early prevention / personalised medicine

  identification of species and evolutionary relationships
• explain why the genome cannot be directly translated into the proteome in complex organisms

  presence of non-coding DNA (eg introns within genes do not code for polypeptides)

  presence of regulatory genes (which regulate expression of other genes eg by coding for miRNA)
• describe how sequencing methods are changing

  they have become automated (so are faster, more cost-effective and can be done on a larger scale)

  they are continuously updated