Advancements in the Field of Genomics

The Human Genome Project is a worldwide research effort with the goal of analyzing the structure of human DNA and determining the location of the estimated 100,000 human genes. In parallel with this effort, the DNA of a set of model organisms will be studied to provide the comparative information necessary for understanding the

Over the last 10 years scientists have been involved in the progression and completion of the Human Genome Project. "Scientists working on this project have developed detailed maps that identify the

The eight primates whose sequences were used are: Homo sapiens sapiens (modern human), Homo sapiens neanderthalensis (Neanderthal), Pan troglodytes (chimpanzee), Pan paniscus (bonobo), Gorilla gorilla (gorilla), Pongo abelii (Sumatran orangutan), Pongo pygmaeus (Bornean orangutan), and Hylobates lar (gibbon). Based on morphological similarities, it is hypothesized that Neanderthal is the most closely related species to humans. For instance, both species walk up right, have large brains, were able to develop and create tools and had spoken language—although more research is still needed to say for certain that Neanderthals did have spoken language. Additionally, it is also hypothesized that modern human and Neanderthal are both more closely related to the sister group of bonobo and chimpanzee, then to gorilla, then to the sister taxa of Sumatran orangutan and Bornean orangutan, and lastly the gibbon (the outgroup of this data). Hence, by developing the order of these eight primates through genetic data and phylogenetic character analysis, we can gain a new insight into the evolution of

When researching primates to choose, Bonobo monkeys, caught my interest. Although, I’ve known of their existence for a few years, I never really researched into depth about the species. I chose this species for a few reasons; humankind’s closest living relatives, sharing more than 98% of our DNA, their intelligence, emotional expression, and sensitivity. While reading in chapter seven, I found out ways of categorizing a species as a primate.

First, human medical advances are discovered each day. One way of achieving these goals are comprehending the human DNA and how it functions. Another scientific approach is to uncover the potential key to the genetic break down that causes biological aspects to human diseases. The encoding of this information could give insights of the causes and may allow advance medical treatment to intervene earlier in the disease pathways and possibly find a cure. These advances may be the significant aspects to regulating

In February 2001, Venter et al., reported on the “penultimate milestone” – the feat of mapping 95% of the euchromatic portion of the human genome (Venter et al., 2001). Multiple discoveries were made in the process of mapping the human genome: the number of genes (fewer than imagined); the percent difference between individuals (less than 0.1%); and new techniques (Polymerase Chain Reaction) (Venter et al., 2001; National Human Genome Research Institute, 2012).

Also, DNA sequencing allows matching organ donors with recipients in transplant programs (Biotechnology Industry Organization, 2008). Another societal impact due to DNA sequencing is the use of it to identify paternity and other family relationships (Biotechnology Industry Organization, 2008). In addition, DNA sequencing has allowed the study of evolution through germline mutations in lineages by studying the migration of different population groups based on maternal genetic inheritance (Biotechnology Industry Organization, 2008). Thus, DNA sequencing has provided DNA identification and the understanding of evolution in

We have technology everywhere in all aspects from organ transplants to digital and social media, the internet and cell phones and so much more. All of these technologies have helped us improve as a species and evolve at a rapid pace over the last few decades. We can quickly connect, get information and decide on which choices to make. More and more we realize the importance of personal health, healthy food, and the health of the planet. Technology in Genetics is moving front and center, gaining a higher profile than it has ever previously had. The GMO has brought about changes in resources for food and medicine and even animals. The controversy both for and against combined with mixed unclear information make it a bit of a double edge sword

However, the ME for the mitochondrial 16s rRNA shows that gorilla is more closely related to the chimpanzee and the bonobo, when compared to the other primates (Figure 11.3A). Furthermore, all of the four trees produced show that modern humans and Neanderthals appear as a monophyletic clade 100% of bootstrap replication times which supports the first hypothesis stating that Neanderthals would be the closest relatives to modern humans, when compared to the other primates (Figure 11.3A, 11.3B).

The process of determining the validity of the three unknown specimens as new primate species is to generate a phylogenetic tree to represent the evolutionary relationships among the three unknown Rwanda species and other closely related species. These closely related species were taken from the diverse range of sequences given of eight other known primates using 12S ribosomal RNA.

The species Homo sapiens (human) is compared and contrasted to Pan troglodytes (chimpanzees) by the author. He rapidly clarifies, that several broad areas of research, which suggest that chimps are the closest living relatives to humans. Recently, data has ben obtained from DNA hybridization which suggests that humans, chimpanzees, and gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) are all very closely genetically related. Human DNA and chimpanzee DNA only differs by 1.6%. Gorillas differ another 2.3% from both chimps and humans. Also do gorillas carry a strong implication that the chimps and humans branched off from the rest of the primates at the same time through a common ancestor.

The primate order to which we as humans belong can be divided into two sub-orders: the Strepsirrhini, also known across much literature as prosiminans, containing lemurs and lorises and the Haplorrhini containing tarsiers, monkeys and apes. The Strepsirrhini divide further into Lemuriformes and Lorisiformes, and the Haplorrhini divide into Tarsiiformes and Simiiformes, also known as anthropoids which consist of apes and humans. The Simiiformes divide into Platyrrhini (New World monkeys) and Catarrhini (Old World monkeys and hominoids), (Napier, 2014). Fig.1 attached shows the divisions of primate classification. Primates have various characteristics that identify them from other vertebrates such as, opposable thumbs, nails

New calculations to establish when the gorilla, chimpanzee and human lineages diverged are now possible. By combining data on DNA-sequence differences between species with estimates of DNA-mutation rates operative millions of years ago, Scally and colleagues calculate the human-chimpanzee and (human+chimpanzee)-gorilla branch points to be 3.7 million and 5.95 million years ago, respectively. These dates conflict with some fossil evidence, but more complex calculations that allow for mutation rates that change with time--a reasonable possibility owing to changes in the average length of generations and other parameters--may resolve this problem.

The primate is used to refer to the group of mammals that are intelligent and most developed in comparison to other animals. In the animal kingdom they are the beings that are closest related to humans. Primate conservation has been one of the major concerns of animal experts. The animals are intelligent and required great attention with a critical understanding

The Human Genome Project (HGP), an international scientific research project, has educated the public tremendously on various topics concerning DNA and genetics. This study has been beneficial to communities alike. As stated, the HGP sought to identify all the genes in human DNA, determine the sequences of the three billion chemical base pairs that make up human DNA, store this information in databases, improve tools for data analysis, transfer related technologies to the private sector, and address the ethical, legal, and social issues that may arise from the project. In favor of achieving these goals, scientists studied the genetic makeup of several nonhuman organisms (Human Genome Management Information System, 2011).