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

Broadening the Energy/Environmental Discourse: Why and How

Pamela Maxson remarks on research on environmental health being done at Duke University. The panel explored how to ensure the environmental and economic benefits of a green economy are extended to communities that have been disproportionately burdened by our fossil-fuel based economy

Coal Ashe Panel

The Duke Environmental Law & Policy Forum held their annual symposium on February 5, 2016. A range of experts contributed to the discussion about water law and policy.Coal Ash PanelAppearing: Moderator: Michelle Nowlin (Supervising Attorney, Environmental Law & Policy Clinic; Senior Lecturing Fellow, Duke University School of Law)Panelists:- Frank Holleman (Senior Attorney, Southern Environmental Law Center)- Ryke Longest (Director, Environmental Law & Policy Clinic; Clinical Professor of Environmental Sciences and Policy, Duke University School of Law)- Lana Pettus (Senior Trial Attorney, US Department of Justice, Environmental and Natural Resources Division, Environmental Crimes)Sponsored by the Duke Environmental Law & Policy Forum

Coal Ashe Panel

The Duke Environmental Law & Policy Forum held their annual symposium on February 5, 2016. A range of experts contributed to the discussion about water law and policy.Coal Ash PanelAppearing: Moderator: Michelle Nowlin (Supervising Attorney, Environmental Law & Policy Clinic; Senior Lecturing Fellow, Duke University School of Law)Panelists:- Frank Holleman (Senior Attorney, Southern Environmental Law Center)- Ryke Longest (Director, Environmental Law & Policy Clinic; Clinical Professor of Environmental Sciences and Policy, Duke University School of Law)- Lana Pettus (Senior Trial Attorney, US Department of Justice, Environmental and Natural Resources Division, Environmental Crimes)Sponsored by the Duke Environmental Law & Policy Forum

Distribution Channels Panel

A panel discussion from Duke Environmental Law & Policy Forum\u27s 25th Anniversary Symposium, Carrots and Sticks: Moving the US National Food System Toward a Sustainable Future. The panel topic Distribution Channels, was addressed by the following panelists: Dr. Dan Vermeer, Director, Duke Center for Energy, Development, and the Global Environment Laurie Ristino, Director, Center for Agriculture & Food Systems, Vermont Law School Michelle Nowlin, Supervising Attorney, Environmental Law & Policy Clinic Dara Bloom, Local Foods Extension Specialist, NC State University Cooperative Extensio