Multigenome DNA sequence conservation identifies Hox cis-regulatory elements.

To learn how well ungapped sequence comparisons of multiple species can predict cis-regulatory elements in Caenorhabditis elegans, we made such predictions across the large, complex ceh-13/lin-39 locus and tested them transgenically. We also examined how prediction quality varied with different genomes and parameters in our comparisons. Specifically, we sequenced approximately 0.

Identification of non-functional human VNO receptor genes provides evidence for vestigiality of the human VNO.

In mammals, the vomeronasal organ (VNO) contains chemosensory receptor cells that bind to pheromones and induce a variety of social and reproductive behaviors. It has been traditionally assumed that the human VNO (Jacobson's organ) is a vestigial structure, although recent studies have shown minor evidence for a structurally intact and possibly functional VNO. The presence and function of the human VNO remains controversial, however, as pheromones and VNO receptors have not been well characterized.

Five-color-based high-information-content fingerprinting of bacterial artificial chromosome clones using type IIS restriction endonucleases.

We have developed a high-information-content fingerprinting (HICF) system for bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clones using a Type IIS restriction endonuclease, HgaI, paired with a Type II restriction endonuclease, RsaI. In the method described, unknown five-base overhangs generated with HgaI are partially or fully sequenced by modified fluorescent dideoxy terminators. Using an in-lane size standard labeled with a fifth dye, fragments are characterized by both the size and the sequence of its terminal one to five bases.

The development and applications of the bacterial artificial chromosome cloning system.

The development of the Bacterial Artificial Chromosome (BAC) system was driven in part by the Human Genome Project as a means to construct genomic DNA libraries and physical maps for genomic sequencing. The BAC system is based on the well-characterized Escherichia coli F-factor, a low copy plasmid that exists in a supercoiled circular form in host cells. The structural features of the F-factor allow stable maintenance of individual human DNA clones as well as easy manipulation of the cloned DNA.

Initial sequencing and analysis of the human genome.

The human genome holds an extraordinary trove of information about human development, physiology, medicine and evolution. Here we report the results of an international collaboration to produce and make freely available a draft sequence of the human genome. We also present an initial analysis of the data, describing some of the insights that can be gleaned from the sequence.