Charles Cantor presents a highly technical lecture on the human genome project. The human genome has approximately three billion base pairs which are polymorphic with a small percentage in variable positions. The steps in the analysis are the development of maps: (1) physical, (2) restriction, (3) cosmid, and (4) linkage. The cosmid map is cloned DNA arranged in order. For example, in E. coli the researcher can establish fragments and determine order. All the sequencing is currently done by hand. There is no standard nomenclature for the genetic maps, and if searching for a particular sequence, there is a 20 to 30 percent chance the clone is incorrect. Currently, the restriction maps are not linked. Dr. Cantor calls for someone to develop the computer capability to link the sequences.
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