The Human Genome Project is a 13-year project coordinated by the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Institute of Health. The goals of the project are:

• to identify all the more than 100,000 genes in human DNA
• to determine the sequence of the 3 billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA
• to store this information in databases
• to develop tools for data analysis
• to address the ethical, legal, and social issues that may arise from the project

Early this month scientists working on the project published a report about the first finished sequence, chromosome 22. Although this chromosome in the second smallest of the human chromosomes, it is one of the most densely packed, with 33.5 million chemical components.

More than 30 human disorders have already been associated with the genes on chromosome 22. Now scientists begin the task of analyzing these genes, to figure out what they do individually and how they work together.

Read an article about this important milestone: Scientists sequence first human chromosome.

Learn about the Problem

One of the major tasks of the Human Genome Project is sequencing the 3 billion base pairs that make up human DNA. The following activities will help you understand the concepts involved in the project:

• Biology Explorer: Mapping DNA, for understanding restriction maps
• Biology Gateways: Genetic Engineering, for understanding the generation of recombinant genes
• Biology Explorer: Genetic Engineering, for a deeper understanding of recombinant genes

For advanced students:

• Biology Explorer: Recombinant DNA, for "hands on" experience with comparative restriction mapping
• Biology Explorer: The Human Genome Database, for retrieving and analyzing data from the Human Genome Database

Think about the Problem

Visit the official site of the Human Genome Project, and using the information presented, list some of the possible applications of the data in the Human Genome database.

Scientists have developed the ability to apply all kinds of new genetic technologies, from cloning to gene therapy. All these technologies raise ethical, legal, and social issues, and dealing with them is an integral part of the Human Genome Project, called ELSI.

For the Teacher: Extending the Problem

• The official site of the Human Genome Project includes:
  • a Student Guide that offers the history and progress of the project, science information, and career information. If your students are participating in the Logal.net Math and Science Fair, the Student Guide also includes Genome Science Project Ideas.
  • Educational Resources, with links to educational resources both at this site and on other sites
  • Genome Glossary, which defines the terms related to genetics and the genome project.
    
    
• Students who want to visualize chromosomes and chromosome abnormalities will enjoy the Cytogenetics Gallery. This gallery provides pictures of what chromosomes look like under the microscope and how abnormalities of chromosomes are identified.
  
  
• Students can hear a series of radio shows-- The DNA Files--aimed at unraveling the mysteries of genetics. Topics include the Human Genome Project, Gene Therapy, Prenatal Genetic Testing, and six more.
  
  
• If you want to keep up with news in the field of genetics in particular and biology in general, keep an eye on Access Excellence, a site that posts reports on interesting developments from all areas of biology.