The 23 chromosome pairs, made up of 3 billion base-pairs, 22 chromosomes of which are autosomal and 1 of which are sex determinative.
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1answer
281 views
How many people's DNA were involved in the compilation of the reference human genome?
I know that the reference human genome is complied from DNA portions from different people, most of whom were European. Do you know how many of them were involved? Do you know which ones were ...
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1answer
306 views
Are human bodies programmed to die?
Following from this question: What is the evolutionary advantage of death?:
Is there any evidence that human bodies have systemic self-destruction built into their developmental program? I'm not ...
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2answers
141 views
Shortest strings not present in the human genome
What length are the shortest strings of DNA not present in any known person's genome, and what are they?
And is there a database online by which I could find this out?
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3answers
128 views
How is the sequenced genome of a person useful to him in practice, now?
Currently it is possible and not so expensive for a person to have his genome. This is useful in general for understanding how life works. But, in practice, how is this useful for the specific person ...
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2answers
107 views
What is the contribution of viruses to the evolution of mankind?
I'm interested in horizontal gene transfer in bacteria, viruses, and organisms such as Bdelloid Rotifers. I've just read in Carl Zimmer's 'A Planet of Viruses' the following passage:
As a host ...
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3answers
911 views
What are the function(s) of Alu elements in the cell?
My 2008 biology book (1) states that some 10% of the human genome consists of relatively short (~300 nucleotides long) Alu elements which do not code for proteins but many of which are transcribed ...
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2answers
212 views
What distinguishes “coding” and “noncoding” DNA from each other?
I've been reading a bit about "junk DNA" and how much of our genome consists of this "non coding DNA" in comparison to "coding DNA".
I'm just an interested layperson but I thought all combinations of ...
5
votes
2answers
552 views
Altering the human genome
I recently had a conversation with a rather unusual gentleman who was, let's say, more than a little partial to conspiracy theories. He has this idea that governments are lowering "nanowires" from ...
5
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1answer
98 views
Are there any DNA base sequences that are fully conserved between the genomes of all humans?
That is, they don't differ throughout the entire population. I understand of course that we can't DNA sequence every human, so by "fully" I mean there's an incredibly small probability of there being ...
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1answer
70 views
Results of a complete DNA sequencing - are they 100% reusable?
Is that correct that a complete DNA sequencing (the whole genome) need only to be done once (per person)?
After that is done, it the complete genome can be stored and once the new genes (and they ...
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2answers
77 views
Can a new Y-chromosome be created?
The major gene of the Y-chromosome is SRY. Would it be possible to get the X-chromosome and add SRY to create a "fuller" Y-chromosome?
What advantage does the skinny Y-chromosome give an individual ...
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vote
1answer
69 views
Generating custom human DNA sequences based on traits such as eye colour?
I'm wondering if it would be possible to create software (unless some already exists, but I couldn't find any) to generate human DNA (the base pairs on the double helix) containing genes representing ...
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1answer
40 views
Interpreting SNP-in-gene associations from GWAS studies
For most SNPs identified in GWAS studies, is the underlying assumption that if it is indeed associated with a phenotype (and lets assume its associated because it affects protein function), that you ...
