Human Genome Map Is Only The Beginning
Completing the first draft of the human
genome is "a truly amazing event" but much work still needs to be
done before we have a full picture of human genetics, says UVic
biologist Dr. Ben Koop. He was one of hundreds of scientists around
the world involved in the human genome project, which announced today
that it has mapped the three billion bits of genetic code that define
the human organism. "Now the real challenge is to find all of the
genes and and what each one does," says Koop, whose contributions to
the project included identifying genes that recognize and destroy
foreign invaders such as viruses, bacteria and cancer cells. Proteins
are the real key to how our bodies work, he says. "Genes tell
proteins what to do and what their characteristics will be. Proteins
are the workhorses, genes are the brains behind them."
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Media contacts
>Dr. font Koop (biology) at (250) 472-4071