“Project Jim” Watson genome sequence published in journal Nature

William Atkins
Friday, 18 April 2008 20:02

Science - Biology

The April 17, 2008 article in the journal Nature containing James Watson’s genome is entitled “The complete genome of an individual by massively parallel DNA sequencing.”

Its abstract concludes, “As a result, we further demonstrate the acquisition of novel human sequence, including novel genes not previously identified by traditional genomic sequencing. This is the first genome sequenced by next-generation technologies. Therefore it is a pilot for the future challenges of 'personalized genome sequencing'.”

A Nature paper by Meredith Wadman that discusses the paper is entitled “James Watson's genome sequenced at high speed.”

Wadman states ,”It took just four months, a handful of scientists and less than US$1.5 million to sequence the 6 billion base pairs of DNA pioneer James Watson. The achievement is first proof of principle that these rapid-sequencing machines can decipher large, complex genomes.”

She goes on to say, “Despite all the sequencing advances, very little is known about how to read the book of life that is opening before us, says Michael Egholm, vicepresident of research and development at 454. Egholm was part of a counselling session advising Watson on the meaning of the 20 mutations in his sequence that are reported to be associated with increased disease risk. 'It was so profound, how little we were actually able to say [to him] about that,' he says. 'To me, it really proved that this is the beginning, not the end.'"

Please read the Wadman article for additional information.