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| Non-human Primates Summary
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| The recent availability of the genetic blueprint for the chimp, our closest living relative, has ushered in an exciting era for primate genomics. Following our successful collaborative effort with the Broad Institute to provide the first whole genome analysis of chimp (Nature 2005; 437, 69-87.), we have in conjunction with Baylor University College of Medicine Human Genome Sequencing Center, generated the initial genome sequence assemblies for the common marmoset, the rhesus macaque and the orangutan. In addition, plans are underway to sequence the genomes of other non-human primates (NHP). Of all the NHP genome projects, both the rhesus macaque and common marmoset figure prominently in biomedical research that seeks to advance human health by a variety of approaches. Collectively, the genome sequence data derived from all these NHP projects will provide the basis for a potential explosion in research along two lines of endeavor. First, research that uses NHP models of human disease, for example AIDS, endometriosis, Parkinson's and many others will benefit greatly. Researchers who use NHP models of human disease widely have indicated the urgent need for additional genome-scale resources for these species, including SNP discovery and full-length cDNA sequencing, to make the genome sequences maximally useful for their research. Second, research that seeks to perform in-depth analysis of genome structure and function in selected non-human primate models in the context of their relationship to each other and to the human genome can significantly advance our understanding of genome evolution in the primate lineage. Overall, these genomes have the potential to make immediate and significant contributions to the overall NIH mission by accelerating progress in understanding human diseases, and to understanding our genome structure, organization and function in the context of our closely evolutionary relatives. |
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