Human Genome Project (HGP) completed its genome sequencing
of prestigious human genome in 2003. The genome sequenced is a reference genome
and not a genome of an individual. The reference genome is from anonymous
donors and belongs to groups of individuals and not to single person.So, there exists difficulty is matching the reference
genomic information in the sequence to an individual which is the ultimate goal
of deciphering the genome or in other words personalized medicine. Now the new
discovery and new efforts of deciphering an entire genome belonging to
individual throws light to obtain new information about the gene with respect
to an individual.Recently in this year 2007, entire genome of noble laureate,
James D. Watson has been deciphered by the company 454 Life Sciences. When his
genome is been made available to public, it will reveal much information of a
person in relation to his genome. Along with Watson’s DNA the entire DNA of
another individual J. Craig Venter will be made publicly available. Dr. Watson
genome with the exception of his “apolipoprotein E” gene other entire genome
will be made available.
However both their genomes are sequenced by different
sequencing technologies independently.Both the genomes of individuals, Watson’s and Venter’s are
diploid genomes. This means they have genomic information obtained from both
their parents. The reference genome sequenced by HGP has limitation that it
cannot have these differences.We will wait for new information
about genes based on the personal genomic results, which is going to be made
available in the forth coming years. The sequencing cost has been falling so
fast. The companies like “454 Life Sciences”, “Solexa Inc.” and others in the
fray can lead to cost reduction within a few years to $10,000 per human genome.
This will open new gates in personalized medicine and with cost reducing
technologies all will have a copy of their genomic sequence in home PC.