The Human Genome Project transformed biology

Twenty yearsHGPDNACRISPRDNA ago the unveiled a mostly complete sequence of the roughly 3bn base pairs of found in every set of human chromosomes. The project was , but also heralded the rapid improvements and dramatically lower costs of sequencing. This fed the success of the burgeoning field of genomics, which has —and still holds plenty of promise.Genomics has added a new dimension to the study of life and evolution. It has helped scientists understand genes and proteins, and how they govern the growth and function of cells. gene editing—a way to precisely modify the in cells—gives researchers a handle on cellular function and dysfunction. The first treatments based on gene editing could be approved within a year. Plant scientists have acquired ways to create disease- and heat-resistant crops.