Human Genome Project and Genomic Concepts

Vocabulary and key concepts regarding the Human Genome Project, organismal genome sizes, and genetic ethics based on lecture notes.

Percent of Coding DNA

Only about $2\%$ of the human genome makes RNA and proteins the way we teach it.

Mb

Million base pairs; the unit typically used to measure haploid genome size.

Haploid Genome Size

A measurement that represents a complete set of genetic information for an organism.

Homo sapiens Genome Stats

Has a haploid genome size of approximately $3,000\,Mb$, containing an estimated $21,300$ genes, resulting in $7$ genes per Mb.

Paris japonica

A Japanese canopy plant with an exceptionally large haploid genome size of $149,000\,Mb$.

Escherichia coli Genome Stats

A bacterium with a haploid genome size of $4.6\,Mb$ and approximately $4,400$ genes.

Drosophila melanogaster

The fruit fly, which has a genome size of $165\,Mb$ and approximately $14,000$ genes.

Zea mays

Corn; it has a genome size of $2,300\,Mb$ and approximately $32,000$ genes.

Personalized Medicine

A field that has emerged from the ability to sequence genomes cheaply, allowing for medical care tailored to an individual’s genetic makeup.

Supreme Court Ruling of 2013

The court ruled that naturally-occurring gene sequences cannot be patented.

BRCA1 and BRCA2

Genes associated with breast and ovarian cancers that were among those patented in the early 2000s before the 2013 Supreme Court ruling.

CFTR

The specific gene where mutations cause Cystic fibrosis.

Cystic fibrosis (CF)

A recessive disorder characterized by abnormally thick mucus in the lungs; it occurs in 1 in $2,500$ Caucasian newborns and has a current life expectancy of $35$ years.

HNPCC and FAP

Genes associated with colon cancers that were patented in the early 2000s.

Genetic Heritage and Race

Concepts often confused, though the lecture notes state that race has no scientific basis and is not the same as genetic inheritance.

Haemophilus influenzae

A bacterium with a genome size of $1.8\,Mb$ and $1,700$ genes.

Utricularia gibba

A floating bladderwort plant with a genome size of $82\,Mb$ and $28,500$ genes.