Did you know that if you took the entire human genome and printed it, it would be enough to fill 800 dictionaries or about 10,000 novels[1]? We humans are complex beings, each of us different from the other, so it’s not surprising that the blueprint for what goes into making each of us is just as vast. It has been about 30 years since the Human Genome Project, an ambitious initiative, was first rolled out. But what are the secrets the genome holds?
What Is The Genome?
Your entire set of DNA that gives the genetic instructions that make you who you are is called a genome. Each DNA molecule, in turn, is made of two twisted strands that consist of chemical units called bases. The human genome has a whopping 3 billion such base pairs!
The nucleus of every single cell in the body has 23 pairs of chromosomes, and each chromosome has thousands of genes.
Why Do Genes Matter?
Every gene bears the instructions to make an average of 3 proteins each[2]. Remember, proteins help build body tissue and, by extension, are building blocks of our organs. They also act as enzymes that control the various biochemical reactions in the body[3]. They determine a host of traits, such as eye colour and even how your body metabolises food.
The Power Of A Single Cell
All it takes is the data from a single cell in your body to paint a much bigger picture. And that’s precisely what sequencing does. Sequencing tells us what the precise order of base pairs is in a sample of DNA that could be taken from a strand of your hair or a drop of blood.
So, what can we do with this information from sequencing human DNA? This research is vital for understanding the molecular mechanism of human diseases, for their early detection, improved/more efficient diagnosis of illness, as well as for developing the next generation of drugs, and personalised gene therapy[4].
As individuals, it is what could alert you to being at greater risk of heart disease or cancer. It is what might help you prevent an adverse health event and could even determine the medicines you should take. And remember, we have only just begun. The exploration of the human genome is a work in progress, and who knows how many books we can write with information from our genes!
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