A treasure trove for biomedical science, chromosome 20 contains nearly 60 million DNA "letters", and more than 720 genes - less than half of which have been fully characterized. An intriguing discovery is that the sequence also shows that two in five of us have an extra 'chunk' of DNA. This region appears to be an 'insertion' and contains at least one gene.

Their achievement, reported in the magazine Nature today, raises hope for the prospects of completely eradicating typhoid, which currently claims 600,000 lives a year globally.

The new post-genomic period builds on the Institute's groundbreaking work in sequencing the human genome. In addition, genomes from tens of disease-causing organisms (pathogens), including the malaria parasite, are being sequenced. Teams of scientists at the Institute will now determine how genes build and control the human body. They will also study the roles that human and pathogen genomes play in health and disease.

Completion of the Yersinia pestis sequencing will hopefully allow researchers to develop more drugs to combat the disease, which is still prevalent in some parts of the world. One vaccine produced at the Ministry of Defence's Porton Down establishment is already undergoing trials.

The award means that Sir John will receive five million pesetas (£18,000), a special Joan Miró sculpture, a diploma and insignia. The awards will be presented on 26 October in Oviedo in Spain at a ceremony presided over by HRH the Prince of Asturias.

The Mouse Sequencing Consortium (MSC), announced today (Tuesday 8th May 2001) that it has completed the first phase of reading the mouse 'book of life', reaching its goal on time and within budget.

Biomedical research charity the Wellcome Trust today (Thursday 26th April 2001) launches an advertising campaign to promote the public human genome databases, including the UK-based Ensembl service, which receives the majority of its funding from the Trust. Widespread access to the public human genome databases is essential if the Human Genome Project sequence is to be translated into healthcare benefits, says the Trust

There are nearly 700,000 new cases of leprosy each year. However, doctors don't fully understand how leprosy spreads and cannot grow it in the laboratory. New research published today in Nature magazine reveals that the organism that causes leprosy may have manoeuvred itself into an evolutionary cul-de-sac.

Freely Available Mouse Data Aid Study of Human Genes