1.

1 Journey to the Genetic Interior

Wednesday, September 2, 2 015

The Encyclopedia of DNA Elements ( ENCODE) is a project that had scientists search
the double helix for anything with a biological purpose
Previously, it was said that 97% of the sequence had no function ( Human Genome
Project findings)
Now 20-91%
Should retire the phrase "junk DNA" to be replaced with something more like a
jungle
Same protein-coding genes in humans and other animals, but regulatory genes differ
Humans have more complex regulation of genes and more rapid evolution of
these regulatory elements
Helping understand human inheritance and disease
Showing loci not close to protein-coding gene, but really close to the newly
discovered elements
ENCODE allows scientists to examine different ways in which to study a
particular disease
ENCODE is like the latest edition in the "book of life" ( started with the Human
Genome Project)
ENCODE poses many more questions than it directly answers