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| Fluorescence
image of DNA microarray. |
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What are your feelings about global trends
for genome research in the 21st century?
From now on, it will be necessary to focus
on the genetic differences among individuals. In the case of humans,
it is believed that the differences at base pair level occur at
a rate of 1 base(nucleotide) in 1,000 bases (nucleotides). Consequently,
there should be about 3 million different bases in the total of
total 3 billion bases. In practical sense, it is important to establish
methods to identify the differences quickly, accurately and economically
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In other words, the work from now on will
focus on detecting differences in base pairs which are termed single
nucleotide polymorphism (SNP). These SNPs will be the basis to
find genes responsible for major diseases.
Of the 3 million SNP people are said to have,
already approximately 2 million have been determined. Celera Genomics
says that they have already gone through the genomes of nearly
10 people and that they have already found 2 million SNPs. However,
ten people are not enough to understand all the differences. This
research, however, will contribute to identify the genes that cause
common diseases of people.
How exactly is the Kazusa DNA Research Institute
tackling the issue of DNA based medicine or pharmacogenomics?
We believe that there are several stages as
far as human genome research is concerned. First is the use of
genome informationof people to find the genes that are responsible
for common diseases or lifestyle related diseases, such as heart
disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, rheumatism and Alzheimer's.
The reason these haven't been found so far is because they are
not caused simply by a single gene.
There are already several thous and cases known as monogenic hereditary diseases
like Huntington's disease and cystic fibrosis and genes responsible for these
diseases have already been found. This is because they can generally be found
by tracking down with a help of genealogies. However, in the case of common diseases,
they are caused by the defects among several or more genes. Thus we call them
polygenic diseases. Generally they are hidden in their youth when the body is
strong enough to overwhelm defects but appear when one gets old. The competition
to find these genes has begun.
Assuming that people have about 60,000 genes (a recent estimate is - 35,000),
it is said that about one percent (300) of these genes are related to familiar
common diseases. If we identify the gene responsible for an illness, we can at
least guess the nature of the product of the gene, a protein, and we can figure
out how its defect causes the illness.
If the gene and its defect that causes diabetes
can be determined, then the function of the gene will be clarified.
We are then able to determine where this illness begins.
Of course, this in only the beginning. We
next have to confirm it by introducing the same defective gene
in mouse genome to find out whether the introduction causes the
same symptom as that of human's.
The important aspect for technology is how
to accurately, quickly and inexpensively discern changes in genes.
By the way, aren't the hurdles for obtaining samples for genetic analysis too
high in Japan compared to the West?
Yes, they are. In U.S., things are not so
simple like one phone call does it all, but you can solicit for
500 healthy people by much easier ways. You have donors who provide
blood and pay them on the condition that donors cannot be identified.
We already have an anonymous donor system in
place. Unfortunately, it isn't working because of very high hurdles
to clear. I'm afraid we might be getting a slow start once again.
Objectively speaking, it is clear that U.S.
took the lead in the first round concerning information technology
and biotechnology of the latter half of the 20th century. Why did
this happen? It's because both are new technologies based upon
new concepts. When something new emerges in Japan, people tend
to sit back and wait until they can at least get some image of
it. This attitude is shutting outnew possibilities. On the other
hand, since the future market of biotechnology will be enormous,
andthere will be countless business chances, we have to realize
that competitions among industrial countries will continue for
several generations.
As I've mentioned a little while ago, Japan should make use of most of her current
advanced technologies. That, I believe, is the strong point of Japan although
I may sound a little boastful. We can fight the battle against U.S. if we effectively
utilize our strengths.
In addition, the level of molecular biology in Japan is considerably high. Moreover,
Japan has been leading the world in fermentation technology, breeding technology,
enzyme production technology, quality control and so on. |
