Scientists map out first Asian genome |
文章来源： 文章作者： 发布时间：2007-10-12 03:08 字体： [ 大 中 小] 进入论坛 |
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| An interpreter with Shenzhen Genomics Institute introduces the first map of the diploid genome of a Chinese on the Ninth Annual China Hi-Tech Fair in Shenzhen on October 11, 2007. |
| Oct. 12 - Scientists have successfully completed the first sequence map of the diploid genome of an Asian individual.
The sequence was worked out by a group of scientists in Shenzhen and is now on display at the Ninth Annual China Hi-Tech Fair in the city.
The results, based on a Chinese, represent only the third human genome to have been sequenced in the world. The sequence map was created using advanced sequencing technology.
American scientists earlier this year created the first two genome sequence maps, of two Caucasian people.
The Chinese project was undertaken by the Shenzhen branch of the Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI), along with the National Engineering Research Center of Systematic1 Bioinformatics and the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Exploring genetic2 codes has become a basic and essential part of the life sciences.
Wang Jun, the leader of the project and vice-director of BIG's Shenzhen branch, said that all people share the vast majority of genetic information that makes us human beings.
However, small differences, corresponding to just a fraction of the whole genome, determine traits such as skin color, height, susceptibility to diseases and responses to therapies and environments.
"We can never change our genes3, but we can understand our genetic structure better by creating a fine map of our genome sequence. This is very helpful in preventing or controlling diseases, such as cancers," Wang said.
The project picked a normal Chinese man of Han nationality, and spent half a year analyzing4 his genome sequence.
Wang said that if all of the copies of the printed reports were stacked up, they would reach more than 300m high.
Now that the first diploid reference genome of an Asian has been completed, the next step of the project will be to sequence the genomes of more individuals to identify genetic variations in Asian populations and explore the essential mechanisms5 behind many diseases.
Wang said the researchers would soon select 99 Chinese people for the project. The number of research subjects will be expanded to 10,000 in the following couple of years.
"Everyone will have his genome sequenced in the near future for better healthcare," he said.
At the same time, the project is trying to lower the cost to popularize the technology, Yang Huanming, director of the Beijing Institute of Genomics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, said.
Yang said the first two genome sequences made in America cost about $3 billion. The project in Shenzhen, however, has lowered the cost to $5 million.
It is expected that the cost will drop to 200,000 yuan ($26,300) by 2010.
"Our final goal is to reduce the cost to less than 10,000 yuan, so that the technology will benefit more people," Yang said.
He said he hoped that in the near future genome sequencing for patients would become as common as a physical examination.
The Ninth China Hi-Tech Fair ends next Wednesday.
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点击  收听单词发音
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1
systematic
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| adj.有系统的，有计划的，有方法的 |
参考例句： |
- The way he works isn't very systematic.他的工作不是很有条理。
- The teacher made a systematic work of teaching.这个教师进行系统的教学工作。
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2
genetic
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| adj.遗传的，遗传学的 |
参考例句： |
- It's very difficult to treat genetic diseases.遗传性疾病治疗起来很困难。
- Each daughter cell can receive a full complement of the genetic information.每个子细胞可以收到遗传信息的一个完全补偿物。
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3
genes
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| n.基因( gene的名词复数 ) |
参考例句： |
- You have good genes from your parents, so you should live a long time. 你从父母那儿获得优良的基因，所以能够活得很长。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- Differences will help to reveal the functions of the genes. 它们间的差异将会帮助我们揭开基因多种功能。 来自英汉非文学 - 生命科学 - 生物技术的世纪
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4
analyzing
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| v.分析；分析( analyze的现在分词 )；分解；解释；对…进行心理分析n.分析 |
参考例句： |
- Analyzing the date of some socialist countries presents even greater problem s. 分析某些社会主义国家的统计数据，暴露出的问题甚至更大。 来自辞典例句
- He undoubtedly was not far off the mark in analyzing its predictions. 当然，他对其预测所作的分析倒也八九不离十。 来自辞典例句
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5
mechanisms
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| n.机械( mechanism的名词复数 )；机械装置；[生物学] 机制；机械作用 |
参考例句： |
- The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms. 这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- He explained how the two mechanisms worked. 他解释这两台机械装置是如何工作的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
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