Revealing the Secrets of Disease: A Timeline

The Human Genome Project
The human genome is the total genetic information of a human being. It is stored in 23 pairs of chromosomes. These 46 chromosomes, which are found in most cells, house DNA, a chemical compound containing the instructions needed to direct the body’s biological activities.

DNA looks like a ladder twisted into a coil—the famous double helix. By analyzing strands of DNA, scientists have identified the sections—the genes—with the coded messages that contribute to life processes. Each human being has an estimated 21,500 genes.

The Human Genome Project, conducted for the National Institutes of Health under the direction of Francis Collins, M.D., mapped 99 percent of them, although scientists are still learning what all the genes do.

Major Landmarks
1953: James Watson and Francis Crick figure out the three-dimensional structure—the double helix—of DNA.

1990: Human Genome Project begins.

1993-95: Genes discovered for breast cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, colon cancer.

2003: Human Genome Project completed.

2004: National Human Genome Research Institute awards grants for the development of $100,000 tests for individual genome sequencing.

2005: Gene discovered for macular degeneration.

2006: Genes discovered for type 2 diabetes, prostate cancer, systemic lupus erythematosus, myocardial infarction, inflammatory bowel disease. A second gene discovered for macular degeneration.

Cancer Genome Project launched.

2007: Project launched to find genetic and environmental causes of common disease.

More type 2 diabetes genes and breast cancer genes found.

James Watson becomes the first person to receive his own genome map.

2008: Grants awarded to develop $1,000 tests for individual genome sequencing.

Illustration by Mirko Ilic