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

Isolation and molecular identifcation of laccase-producing saprophytic/ phytopathogenic mushroom-forming fungi from various ecosystems in Michoacan State, Mexico

The aim of this study was isolation and molecular identification of laccase-producing saprophytic/phytopathogen Basidiomycetes species from different geographic regions with dominant vegetation of Pinus, Abies, and Quercus spp. in the state of Michoacán, Mexico. Soil samples and visible mycelial aggregates were collected for fungal isolations. Soil samples were processed using a soil particle washing technique, where a selective Ascomycetes inhibitor and guaiacol, as an indicator of saprophytic Basidiomycetes growth, were used. Most of the isolates were obtained from samples collected in Parque Nacional, José Ma. Morelos (Km 23), Charo, Michoacán, Mexico. Based on sequence comparisons and phylogenetic analysis of internal transcribed spacer regions (ITS1-5.8S-ITS4) with respect to reference taxa, identification of saprophytic/phytopathogen Basidiomycetes species was carried out. In total, 15 isolates from 12 genera (i.e., Bjerkandera, Coriolopsis, Ganoderma, Hexagonia, Irpex, Limonomyces, Psathyrella, Peniophora, Phlebia, Phlebiopsis, Trametes, and Trichaptum) and one species from family Corticiaceae were identified. This study will be useful for further investigations on biodiversity of soil Basidiomycetes in different ecosystems. At present, these isolates are being used in our various lab experiments and can be useful in different industrial and bioremediation applications