Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Indigenous Writing Retreats: Native American Community Members and Scholars in action!

Writing retreats provide time away from distractions to write manuscripts, grant applications, books, or dissertations. A unique characteristic of writing retreats is that they form a “community of scholars,” which is culturally congruent with Indigenous intellectuals, who are familiar with community as an essential way of life. This article presents two case studies and data about the experiences from a national Native American scholars’ cohort (n=6) and an Indigenous writing retreat from mainly Haudenosaunee writers in Mohawk Country (n=22). Evaluative feedback from aggregated writing retreats endorses the feasibility, growth, and advocacy of future writing retreats. Results shared that protective writing times increased meaningful productivity. Core values related to a community-based participatory research framework learned from a confederacy of tribes and their urban partners were also shared

STIGMA OF MENTAL ILLNESS AMONG AMERICAN INDIAN AND ALASKA NATIVE NATIONS: HISTORICAL AND CONTEMPORARY PERSPECTIVES

Among American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) people, the concept of mental illness has different meanings and is interpreted in various ways. This paper describes the realities of mental health care that confront AIAN people. Stigma is associated with mental illness, which can be a barrier for those individuals who are in need of mental health services. Within the context of the AIAN historical and contemporary experiences, the paper details domains that negatively influence the lives of AIAN people. Included are the failure of the U.S. government to fulfill its treaty agreements with AIAN people; the disparities in income and education, and the pervasiveness of poverty; and access to care issues. These domains help to set the stage for health disparities that frequently catapult AIAN people to early morbidity and mortality. Importantly, many of these conditions are preventable. The paper concludes with recommendations for a more diverse workforce that will include AIAN mental health professionals who are available to provide culturally competent care to AIAN people in a variety of settings