Of Plants and Men

Much attention is currently focused on the scientific, ethical, and political implications of the draft sequence of the human genome. In line with this, the next issue of CFG will carry pieces from two researchers in the field of human genetics/genomics on the impact that the draft sequence will have on their research. Andrew Simpson (Ludwig Institute, Sao Paulo, Brazil) will review the importance of ESTs after the release of both the draft sequence and the first estimate of the number of human genes based on hard data. There will also be an interview with Duncan Campbell on the changing role of the UK Medical Research Council’s Human Genome Mapping Project Resource Centre in Hinxton, now that the human genome sequence has been released. In contrast to the rather acrimonious relationships between some of the principal centres involved in sequencing the human genome, the Arabidopsis Genome Project was a highly collaborative worldwide effort and the subsequent phase of functional genomics looks like continuing in the same vein. In this issue of CFG, we have Arabidopsis as our ‘featured organism’. The article includes comments from Pam Green (Arabidopsis Functional Genomics Consortium and Michigan University, USA) and Sean May (Nottingham Arabidopsis Stock Centre, UK). We also have an interview with Mike Bevan (John Innes Centre, UK), who led the European sequencing effort. A number of funding bodies across the world are sponsoring the functional genomic analysis of the humble thale cress. The US has its 2010 program to determine the function of all Arabidopsis genes by that date. The European Union has established EXOTIC (EXOn Trapping Insert Consortium) and REGIA (REgulatory Gene Initiative in Arabidopsis) to investigate Arabidopsis gene expression patterns and transcription factors, respectively. In the UK, the BBSRC (Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council) is sponsoring Arabidopsis functional analysis through its ‘Investigating Gene Function’ initiative. In all this excitement about multicellular organisms, we should not forget my favourite beasts – the yeasts. The next issue of CFG will feature the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, one of the major models for the study of the eukaryotic cell cycle, whose genome has just been sequenced by a Sanger Centre/EU consortium. The current issue of CFG includes an article on the complete sequence of the mitochondrial genome of Yarrowia lipolytica – the hydrocarbon-utilising yeast that has been commercially exploited in the production of citric acid, as well as being an important model for the study of protein secretion.