A History of Genomics

History of Genomics Gregor Mendel first uncovered the core concepts of genetics and inherited traits in 1865 using pea plants. Twenty or so years later, inherited diseases were first linked to chromosomes. Years later, a number of other genetic disorders were found and described by various geneticists.

In the 1950s, a number of discoveries were made about DNA, including the bases that make it up, and the fact that bases work in complementary pairs. This is where the "grandfathers of DNA" James Watson and Francis Crick, "found the secret of life." They figured out the structure of DNA—a double helix that can unzip to make copies of itself. This confirmed previous researchers' theories that DNA carried life's hereditary information.

A number of other discoveries have been made since then. Today, genomics is becoming more and more routine and accessible. The last few years in particular have seen rapid advances in related technology and science. Most notably, the Human Genome Project was completed in 2003. This was a massive international 13-year effort to determine the complete sequence of the three billion DNA bases, identifying all human genes, and making them accessible for further study. The Human Genome Project was a remarkable feat that helped shape where we are headed in our genetic exploration.

 
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