Up for comparison: Chimp DNA posted alongside human's

Houston Chronicle ^ | 12-10-03 | not given

[DeepDish]

Up for comparison: Chimp DNA posted alongside human's Los Angeles Times Scientists have completed a draft of the chimpanzee genetic blueprint and placed the information into a free, public database, scientists announced Wednesday.

The draft, covering an estimated 88 percent to 90 percent of the genome's gene-coding regions, has been carefully aligned with the human genome on the Web site, allowing a direct comparison of the two.

"We want to let the scientific community know that the sequence is available and they can have access to it," said Richard K. Wilson, director of the genome sequencing center at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

[DeepDish]

I found this at the Houston Chronicle who got it from the LA times. So I posted only an excerpt.

I haven't found the database yet, but all I have done is four or five google searches from the Washington University site. This something that would be interesting to see. But if it a side by side comparison of the human/chimp genomes base pairs, I am going to need a bigger hard drive. :)

[Waco]

The socialist/lib/RAT/communist gene unraveled??? Ain't science great Monica?

[DeepDish]

The socialist/lib/RAT/communist gene unraveled??? Ain't science great Monica?

No, it was a chimpanzee gene which is only 7 base pairs different from the species you describe. :)

[ThirstyMan]

"...it was a chimpanzee gene which is only 7 base pairs different from the species you describe. :)"

And thank God for the "7 base pairs" difference!!!

[Blueflag]

Consider the diversity of the human species, which statistically would match 100%, to two significant figures, when comparing the genotype of two individuals. My point is that what we view as tiny differences in the gene sequence represent huge differences in expression.

Brilliant scientists used to believe 'one gene/one protein'. Now they know how wrong they were.

You know what they say about statistics...

The 12% difference in the gene sequence between humans and another species is huge. Imagine what would happen if it were determined that going through airport scanner (or smokin' weed) might alter "up to .1% of your gene sequences". You think folks would view that as a good outcome????

Chimps are not nearly humans. 12% difference is HUGE genetically.

[BSunday]

Gee, I hope my F-150 doesn't evolve into a Silverado. After all, they both have engines, fenders, transmissions, beds, wheels, cabs, etc.

[DeepDish]

I hope that you do not think that I have bought the "we are more closely related than you think" argument. With a 1.5% difference in human/chimp dna, which sounds small, there is a stunning number of base pairs involved. If I remember correctly, there are about 4 billion sequences in the human genome. 1.5% of that number is about 60 million, this is not a number of little consequence. It does tend to support the argument that when nature, or God, depending on your C/E beliefs, finds a combination or sequence useful, that combination is used widely.

The small percentage difference is impressive to the guys who were playing pocket pool in high school while the math teacher had his back to the class explaining the subject at the blackboard.

[Blueflag]

Not at all. Just adding my 1.98874532 cent's worth

;-)

[RightWhale]

Are there 30,000 genes that seem to be functional in the genome? Clearly there are more than 30,000 traits, so the genes work in combinations and the number of combinations would be astronomical. It's like an alphabet with 30,000 letters rather than 24 or 40, or a musical scale with 30,000 pitches in an octave rather than 12. Plus, most of the sequences don't do anything at all and might not be considered genes. That's all I know, and more.

[DeepDish]

Thanks for this idea. I have looked at this mechanistically and have not yet considered the effects overall of the ineractions of various genes when they express themselves.
That is: gene a with gene b produces a set of traits. But gene a with gene c will not necessarily give 50% gene a traits. This concept vastly expands the possible results for differences of outcome in the genetic code. You have made my day.

[RightWhale]

A well-known jazz band leader and performer whose name escapes me [someone on FR probably knows] was asked how he was able to play and compose jazz, it is so complicated.
He said: what could be hard? There are only 12 notes.