The Genome Sequence

Largest study of genomes and cancer treatments releases first results

The largest study to correlate genetics with response to cancer drugs has released its first results. The UK-US collaboration's work is a step towards more personalised cancer treatment. 19/07/10

Celebrating a 'decade of discovery' since the Human Genome Project

Leading scientists who helped map the human genome celebrate a decade of discovery since the first draft with the launch of the UK 10 000 Genomes Project. 25/06/10

Wellcome Trust launches study of 10 000 human genomes in UK

The Wellcome Trust has launched a project to decode the genomes of 10 000 people over three years - one of the largest genome sequencing programmes ever. 25/06/10

ICGC to sequence 25 000 cancer genomes

The International Cancer Genome Consortium is to decode the genomes from 25 000 cancer samples and create a resource of freely available data. 15/04/10

1000 Genomes Project

An international research consortium has announced the 1000 Genomes Project, an ambitious effort to sequence the genomes of at least 1000 people to create the most detailed and medically useful catalogue to date of human genetic variation. 23/01/08

Rhesus macaque genome helps illustrate what makes us human

The genome of the rhesus macaque monkey provides insights into how humans are genetically different from our primate relatives. 12/04/07

$10 million prize offered for rapid genome sequencing

The Archon X PRIZE for Genomics has been offered to the first team of scientists to devise a form of rapid genetic sequencing that allows them to decode 100 human genomes in just ten days. 09/10/06

Chromosome 1 sequenced

Researchers at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute and colleagues in the UK and USA have published the annotated sequence of chromosome 1. 17/05/06

Chromosome 17: an evolutionary black sheep

Though often mocked, the rare exceptions to the norm can sometimes be particularly instructive. And among human chromosomes, chromosome 17 is indeed an important exception. 27/04/06

Chromosome 11 sequence complete

Of all the chromosomes that adorn the human genetic landscape, few have as full a past as chromosome 11. 23/03/06

Chromosome 12 annotated sequence complete

Researchers from Baylor College of Medicine's Human Genome Sequencing Center have published the annotated sequence of chromosome 12. 16/03/06

Marsupial genome sheds light on the evolution of immunity

The genetic code of the gray, short-tailed opossum reveals insights into the evolution of the major histocompatibility complex. 30/01/06

Human chromosome 18 completed

Barren but not a wasteland. 22/09/05

Human Y chromosome stays intact while chimp Y loses genes

The human and the chimpanzee Y chromosomes went their separate ways approximately 6 million years ago. But ever since this evolutionary parting, these two chromosomes have experienced different fates, new research indicates. 01/09/05

Comparing the chimpanzee and human genomes

The first comprehensive comparison of the genetic blueprints of humans and chimpanzees shows that our closest living relatives share perfect identity with 96 per cent of our DNA sequence. 31/08/05

Scientists analyse chromosomes 2 and 4

Detailed analysis of chromosomes 2 and 4 detects the largest 'gene deserts' known in the human genome and uncovers more evidence that human chromosome 2 arose from the fusion of two ancestral ape chromosomes. 06/04/05

X chromosome unveiled

New insights into the role of sex chromosomes in health and disease. 17/03/05

Chicken genome sequenced

Genome analysis of the red jungle fowl, a wild ancestor of the domestic chicken, is completed by an international consortium. 09/12/04

Reconstructing the genome of a common mammalian ancestor

Researchers have re-created part of the genome of the common ancestor of all placental mammals that lived more than 80 million years ago. 30/11/04

Finished human genome contains even fewer genes than expected

The International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium has published an analysis of the 'gold standard' version of the human genome sequence, and has reduced the human genome number to 20-25 000. 21/10/04

Mice thrive without 'junk DNA'

Researchers have deleted 3 per cent of the mouse genome, but the mice show no apparent ill effects. 20/10/04

Human chromosome 5 completed

Researchers reach the halfway point in dotting the i's and crossing the t's of the final human genome. 15/09/04

Human chromosomes 9 and 10 completed

One-tenth of the human genome is unveiled. 27/05/04

Gene-poor chromosome 13 sequence completed

Researchers from the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute have completed the sequence of human chromsome 13. 01/04/04

Gene-rich human chromosome 19 sequence completed

The sequencing of human chromosome 19 has been completed by the United States Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute (JGI) and Stanford University. 31/03/04

Rat genome compared with human, mouse

The draft sequence of the genome of the Brown Norway strain of the laboratory rat (Rattus norvegicus) is completed. 31/03/04

Celera to release genome data

Celera Genomics, the company that 'raced' the public Human Genome Project to finish sequencing the human genome, will be depositing its human genome sequence, once only available by subscription, into the online database GenBank. 19/02/04

Chromosome 6 unravelled

The largest chromosome completed to date has many genes for the human immune system. 23/10/03

Sequence of human chromosome 7 finalised

The final, high-accuracy sequence of human chromosome 7 has been completed - joining the sequences of chromosomes 14, 20, 21, 22 and Y. 10/07/03

Y chromosome sequence unveiled

The DNA sequence of the human Y chromosome - the 'maleness' chromosome - has been published. 16/06/03

Human genome sequencing completed

The International Human Genome Consortium has announced the successful completion of the Human Genome Project more than two years ahead of schedule. 14/04/03

Mouse genome sequence draft published

An international consortium has published a draft sequence and analysis of the genome of the common mouse, Mus musculus. 05/12/02