The successor of the Human Genome Project will investigate the activity of genes

2003/12/01 Elhuyar Zientzia Iturria: Elhuyar aldizkaria

• Medikuntza

The Human Genome Project has responded, most human genes have been sequenced. But there is still much left to understand the genome: we have to understand how the activity of all these genes is controlled. Without this information, DNA sequencing would serve little. In response, the Human Epigenome Project emerges.

To a large extent, adherence to the DNA of the methyl chemical group determines which genes are activated and which are not. And that methylation pattern is precisely what aims to clarify the new project.

This methylation pattern changes as the individual develops, so genes are expressed in the embryo and others in maturity. However, incorrect methylation has been observed in certain diseases, especially in cancers. Therefore, it can also be very useful for medicine to clarify where DNA is stored.

Researchers from Berlin and England are currently working on this major project and have already identified 100,000 methylation sites. They say they have a minimum job of five years.