Using genome projects

• Describe genome projects

  Genome projects have determined the order of DNA bases in many organisms including humans.

  DNA sequencing process:

  1. DNA is isolated from a cell and many copies are made
  2. DNA is then cut into lots of small fragments
  3. A computer works out the base sequence of DNA by assembling overlapping fragments
• Describe the benefits of genome projects today

  Sequencing methods today are continually updated and have become automated and faster.

  Determining the genome of prokaryotes and viruses has built up our knowledge of their proteomes. This helps with identifying antigens to make vaccines.

  In eukaryotes, its harder to translate knowledge of the genome to the proteome because:

  • Non-coding DNA is present
  • There are more regulating genes (genes that code for transcriptional factors)