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454 Life Sciences, Applied Biosystems, and Illumina Inc have joined an international team to help sequence the entire human genome of more than 1000 people worldwide. Complete sequence data will give scientists a broader picture of rarer diseases not identified via the HapMap catalog that was released in 2003.

The genetic blueprints, or genomes, of any two humans are more than 99 percent the same. Still, the small fraction of genetic material that varies among people holds valuable clues to individual differences in susceptibility to disease, response to drugs and sensitivity to environmental factors.

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HIV is a rapidly mutating virus that easily becomes drug resistant. To effectively eliminate the virus, all strains must be identified and destroyed. While traditional DNA sequencing produces accurate data for virus identification, researchers are combining statistics with pyrosequencing technology in an effort to produce faster and more economical results.

Using this method, medicines and vaccines against diseases caused by viral infections could be developed and deployed in a more targeted way in the future.

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Research in yeast and bacteria shows that the effects of some "bad" genetic mutations may be reduced through vitamin supplements. This news offers hope for solutions to human genetic mutations. Knowing an individual's DNA sequence could tell them more than genetic problems, it could point to a cure.

Marini and Rine estimate that the average person has five rare mutant enzymes, and perhaps other not-so-rare variants, that could be improved with vitamin or mineral supplements.

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Chemotherapy is expensive and often causes crippling side effects. With these known negatives, cancer patients face a tough choice when choosing treatment. Now consider that the patient's DNA may limit or even prevent their ability to respond to chemotherapy.

If we can get genetic information before giving a drug, we can help patients, their families and doctors by saving money and delivering faster cure.

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Looks like the USDA released the complete genetic data for 150 avian influenza viruses to improve diagnostic tests. This should help categorize and isolate the next big Bird Flu virus coming out of Asia.

The sequence data includes about 10 or 15 viruses collected in the 1930s and held at the USDA laboratory at Plum Island, New York, Suarez reported. There are also isolates from the 1970s and 1980s, but most are from the 1990s and 2000s...

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