Scientists Finish Mapping Human Genome (For Real This Time)

Twenty years ago, headlines claimed that scientists finished sequencing the human genome. In reality, it is a little more complicated. They had indeed finished most of the genome, but a repetitive section representing about 8% was left unfinished. Now that 8% is, finally, finished.

The now complete genome sheds light on human evolution, describes variants in 622 medically relevant genes, and clarifies details about the region around the centromere - the section where chromosomes divide during cellular division. Researchers found newer, more stable DNA sequences overlaying older, more mutated sequences, which suggests the trial and error period in our evolution. 

The analysis was done by scientists who are part of the Telemere-to-Telomere Consortium (T2T). They plan to continue the work by expanding the donor DNA pool, in order to eventually better represent the range of humanity.

For more, head over to SciTechDaily.