In the November 5, 2009 issue of the Journal of Heredity, a stunning new international project was announced. Scientists from across the globe are working together with the goal of sequencing the DNA of over ten thousand different species. The data will be used for future studies involving everything from how different species evolved to comparative studies pinpointing the differences between different groups.
What is the Genome 10K Project?
The Genome 10K project may be the most ambitious DNA sequencing effort to date. Scientists involved in the project plan to first collect tissues from every vertebrate genus on earth and then sequence the DNA of these tissue samples, a total of 16,203 genomes. Some of the species involved are rare or endangered, making tissue collection difficult.
The plan is to establish a repository of genetic data that will be shared with anyone who wants to use it. All of the technology to complete the project is not in place yet, since the group is relying on genome sequencing to go down in price over the next two years.
Laboratories Involved in the Genome 10K Project
A group called the Genome 10K Community of Scientists, which includes resxearchers from various disciplines and organizations including zoos, research centers, universities and museums, is organizing the genome project.
The Importance of Sequencing Over 10,000 Vertebrate Genomes
Scientists involved in the Genome 10K Project have high hopes for its future usefulness. Some of the possible uses of the data generated from the project include:
- Helping scientists understand how animals have adapted to changes in climate, disease and competition with other species.
- Learning more about the genetic differences between species and what makes each group unique.
- Assisting in conservation efforts by providing a baseline for determining genetic diversity within a species.
- Comparing animal and human genomes to help better understand evolution and mutation.
The researchers involved with the Genome 10K project have begun to collect samples even before the technology to inexpensively sequence them is fully developed. Why are they so eager to get started? According to Scott Baker at Oregon State University, the consortium is planning ahead so that they will have a wide variety of samples ready to go when the cost of sequencing drops to less than $1000 and when sequencing of an entire genome can be accomplished in under a week, a technological feat estimated to be possible sometime in the next two years.
With a total estimated cost of approximately $50 million, the Genome 10K Project will be one of the largest undertakings of science ever attempted. The data it will generate should prove invaluable to biologists around the world for many years and will help answer many questions about life on earth.
Genome 10K Project website
Genome 10K: A Proposal to Obtain Whole-Genome Sequence for 10 000 Vertebrate Species. J Hered. 2009 Nov-Dec;100(6):659-74. Epub 2009 Nov 5.
Bridget Coila - I'm a cell and molecular biologist, freelance writer and photographer currently living in Beijing, China. I'm fascinated by science, ...
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