Biomedical Applications and Studies of Molecular Evolution: A Proposal for a Primate Genomic Library Resource: Figure 1.

Abstract

The anticipated completion of two of the most biomedically relevant genomes, mouse and human, within the next three years provides an unparalleled opportunity for the large-scale exploration of genome evolution. Targeted sequencing of genomic regions in a panel of primate species and comparison to reference genomes will provide critical insight into the nature of single-base pair variation, mechanisms of chromosomal rearrangement, patterns of selection, and species adaptation. Although not recognized as model “genetic organisms” because of their longevity and low fecundity, 30 of the ∼300 primate species are targets of biomedical research. The existence of a human reference sequence and genomic primate BAC libraries greatly facilitates the recovery of genes/genomic regions of high biological interest because of an estimated maximum neutral nucleotide sequence divergence of 25%. Primate species, therefore, may be regarded as the ideal model “genomic organisms”. Based on existing BAC library resources, we propose the construction of a panel of primate BAC libraries from phylogenetic anchor species for the purpose of comparative medicine as well as studies of genome evolution.[The following individuals kindly provided reagents, samples, or unpublished information as indicated in the paper: J. Rogers, C. Chiu, M. Olson, L. Williams, J. Erwin, M. Rocchio, V. Casagrande, O. Ryder, J. Allman, C. Williams, and members of the La Jolla Initiative on Human Origins.]