Mouse Genome Project Laid to Rest

Scientists have successfully completed and laid down the gene mapping project of the common mouse which was underway for the past ten years. The mouse is the most common of all laboratory animals used by humans in developing aids and cures for diseases. Now, with the gene sequence accurately mapped, chances of developing novel and effective medications are high given that the mouse shares 75% of our genetic code.

The genetic sequence consists of the full description of the genetic material contained in the nucleus of a cell. A sort of instruction booklet on how to recreate the basic cell of the animal from DNA sequences. The mouse, Mus musculus, is the second mammal to have been mapped completely after homo sapiens.

The mouse is most commonly used for understanding the evolution of human illness. Researches over the past decades on the animal has lead to vast advances in treatment of cancer, rabies and diabetes. Scientists have been able to identify more than 20,000 protein sequences for the mouse, of which about 5,000 evolved after the common ancestors of humans and mice went separate ways.

The details of the work have been published by an International team of scientists in the open access journal, PLoS Biology.