In a collaborative work Scientists now been able to map the most common minor differences in human genome. This breakthrough could change the face of future medicine.
The study called 'HapMap' study by an international team have now been able to chart genetic differences between 269 individuals that originate from different parts of the world like Africa, the Far East and Western Europe. The study involved more than 200 scientists from the US, Canada, Britain, China, Japan and Nigeria.The Human Genome Project produced the first human genetic blueprint in 2003 and this study does also have a general reference area for comparison.
The study looks at ‘haplotype’ DNA. Haplotype DNA are groups of DNA that have traveled together over evolutionary time and any difference in these haplotypes between individual races can now help in pinpointing the genetic variations that affect an individual patient's response to drugs, toxic substances and food .
More than one million of these single-letter differences in the genetic code, known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), or 'snips', are represented in the HapMap.
The mapping will greatly help scientists to track down particular snips associated with certain diseases. The HapMap may in future make the dream of personalized medicine into a reality said a report in Daily Mail.
Details of the ‘Hapmap’ project are being presented to a meeting of the American Society of Human Genetics this week.
