Science Highlights Progress in Genomics
The annual genome issue of Science (October 23, 1998) highlights progress in genomics, including the analysis and use of genomic data from a variety of organisms. Articles report on new plant genome initiatives, provide an overview of 10 years of plant comparative genetics, and assess the conceptual organization and approaches of some current genome-related databases. Other features include the latest plan for the U.S. Human Genome Project and a report on the newest physical map of human gene-based markers.
In the "Report" and "Perspective" sections, papers on the complete sequence of Chlamydia trachomatis summarize major findings of the sequencing project for this bacterium, which is an agent of trachoma. Trachoma is a major cause of blindness in Asia and Africa and the most common sexually transmitted bacterial disease in the United States (p. 11).
A fold-out chart of Arabidopsis thaliana's genome illustrates advances in characterizing the flowering plant, a popular model for studying plant biology. Genome data generated by this project hold the potential for improved crops and plant factories that generate products such as biodegradable plastics. Another potential research outcome, which has relevance to human health, is an increased understanding of basic cellular processes extending across species. Researchers expect to finish this 120-Mb genome's DNA sequence by 2000.
The electronic form of the newsletter may be cited in the following style:
Human Genome Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Human Genome News (v10n1-2).
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