Definition
An international research project that was the first to determine nearly the complete sequence of the human genome, launched in 1990 and completed in 2003.
Use in clinical context
The Human Genome Project was officially completed in 2003. It covered around 99% of the regions of the human genome that contain genes. It did not quite cover the entire human genome because some sections, such as the centromeres and telomeres, are difficult to sequence due to repetitive elements, these have since been successfully sequenced.
The genome provided by the Human Genome Project has been invaluable in understanding genome structure and function, with important implications for human health and disease.
Related terms
Centromere | Genome | Sequence | Telomeres
