A map of the common chimpanzee genome.
The completion of the chimpanzee genome will greatly help us determine which genetic changes are unique to humanity. Chimpanzees are our closest living relative, and a recent study has made considerable progress towards decoding the genome of our sister taxon.1 Over 75,000 common chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) bacterial artificial chromosome end sequences were aligned and mapped to the human genome. This study shows the remarkable genetic similarity (98.77%) between humans and chimpanzees, while highlighting intriguing areas of potential difference. If we wish to understand the genetic basis of humankind, the completion of the chimpanzee genome deserves high priority.
Wildman
Derek E
DE
Center for Molecular Medicine & Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, 540 E. Canfield Ave., Detroit, MI 48201, USA. dwildman@genetics.wayne.edu
D000818:Animals; D002874:Chromosome Mapping; D002891:Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21; D020440:Gene Duplication; D016678:Genome; D015894:Genome, Human; D006801:Humans; D002679:Pan troglodytes / Q000235:genetics*