Human genome data to be released By Dr David Whitehouse BBC News Online science editor
The human genetic database compiled by the private company Celera Genomics is to be released to the
public. Celera completed a draft of the human genome three years ago at the same time that a rival,
publicly funded, group of scientists finished its own draft.
Both groups announced the scientific milestone together at the White House.
Experts say the two versions of the human genetic code complement each other, and form the basis for
finding the genetic causes of disease.
'Order and orientation'
At the time of the 2001 announcement, heralded as a major achievement in science, the Celera genome
sequence was only available to paying subscribers of its database.
The rival sequence, obtained by the Human Genome Project (HGP) was publically available.
Now the Celera sequence is to join it. It will soon be deposited into GenBank, an online
DNA database.
The two sequences used different techniques to obtain their results. Celera used a technique called
the "shotgun" method. The HGP used it as well as another technique.
Writing in a forthcoming issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Craig Venter,
who led the Celera team, says that the Celera sequence had more "order and orientation" whereas the
HGP sequence had better coverage of repeat DNA sequences.
Quoted message said:From BBC
news.bbc.co.uk3499877.stmOpen ↗
Comment: Only the Exon DNA was sequenced.
Posted by Robert Karl Stonjek.