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

Environmental Considerations for Evaluating Interbasin Water Transfers in Georgia

Proceedings of the 2007 Georgia Water Resources Conference, March 27-29, 2007, Athens, Georgia.Maximizing water returns to river basins by managing interbasin transfers is one of several major objectives guiding the ongoing development of Georgia’s first Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Plan. Interbasin water transfers currently play a significant role in meeting water supply needs throughout the metropolitan Atlanta area. Continuing population growth across northern Georgia has heightened concern over the continuing use of interbasin transfers as a primary water management tool because of potentially negative environmental and economic impacts to the river basin of origin. This paper investigates the availability and quality of relevant environmental information for assessing the potential adverse environmental effects of interbasin transfers to river basins of origin in Georgia. Existing information describing environmental attributes of 14 sub-basins in seven river basins is compiled using GIS, and subbasins are ranked and analyzed with respect to natural resource values, common trends, data gaps, and its ability to support water planning efforts and decisions regarding interbasin transfers.Sponsored and Organized by: U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Natural Resources Conservation Service, The University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of TechnologyThis book was published by the Institute of Ecology, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-2202. The views and statements advanced in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not represent official views or policies of The University of Georgia, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Georgia Water Research Institute as authorized by the Water Resources Research Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-397) or the other conference sponsors

Impact Assessment for Reservoir Fisheries and Biological Assessments Underway for Programmatic Endangered Species Consultation

Proceedings of the 1999 Georgia Water Resources Conference, March 30 and 31, Athens, Georgia.This paper describes a joint effort between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), and CH2M HILL to assess the impacts of water allocation on the reservoir fisheries of the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa (ACT) and Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River Basins. We also present the approach being implemented by the Corps, in coordination with USFWS, to prepare the Biological Assessment of Federal threatened and endangered species with potential to be affected by the water allocations in each basin. These analyses are being conducted to support preparation of the environmental impact statement (EIS) for each basin.Sponsored and Organized by: U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of TechnologyThis book was published by the Institute of Ecology, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-2202 with partial funding provided by the U.S. Department of Interior, geological Survey, through the Georgia Water Research Insttitute as authorized by the Water Research Institutes Authorization Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-397). The views and statements advanced in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not represent official views or policies of the University of Georgia or the U.S. Geological Survey or the conference sponsors