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One percent of human genes are "turned off"
DirectoryBritain Sanger Institute Genomes Project Chris Tyler Smith Science
MADRID, 17 Feb. (REUTERS / EP) -
One percent of human genes are "inactive" according to the results of a study by the Sanger Institute in Britain. The authors of the research, they are analyzing the human genome considered inactive genes are "around 20".
This conclusion we have reached these scientists whites has led to another: "not all genes are deactivated harmful to health", they say. Therefore consider their work "will help scientists better understand the normal function of human genes."
However, the goal of his research is "to identify new disease-causing mutations." Because of this, the "1,000 Genomes Project 'aims to create a series of filters to" find common errors in the human genome, or complete genetic code, "they say.
After making the process of study, scientists found nearly 3,000 possible variations in the genomes of 185 people in Europe, East Asia and West Africa, thus earning for the study was published in the journal Science. However, "only 44 percent of them are likely to affect gene function," they say.
PREVIOUS STUDIES SUPPORT THE EXISTENCE OF VARIATIONS IN THE DNA
This change, called LoF are genetic changes "are expected to severely disrupt gene function," they say. Some of them are responsible for diseases "such as macular dystrophy or cystic fibrosis," they explain. This thesis is supported by previous projects, which have suggested that there are hundreds of these variants in DNA.
Another reason for satisfaction of the researchers is the fact that "there has developed a new way to predict whether a new gene change is found in a prone or not cause serious disease," says the professor of biomedical informatics at the University Yale (USA), Dr. Gerstein.
Finally, the research director, Chris Tyler-Smith, notes that the findings "will be immediately useful to current DNA sequencing studies in patients with specific diseases."