Mouse Sequencing Consortium

Mouse Sequencing Consortium

Expert Commentary

"Sequencing the mouse genome is an important next step toward better understanding the human genome. We look forward to expediting this next step to realize the potential of genomic technology in creating vitally needed medicines."

Tadataka Yamada, M.D.
Chairman
Research and Development, Pharmaceuticals
SmithKline Beecham

"The Merck Genome Research Institute is pleased to support the completion of the sequencing of the mouse genome, by the National Institutes of Health and the Sanger Center. Having these data in the public domain will facilitate research efforts that ultimately will lead to new medicines for patients all over the world."

Roger M. Perlmutter, M.D.
Executive Vice President
Worldwide Basic Research
Merck Research Laboratories

"Affymetrix is delighted to be part of this important scientific endeavor, which will ensure that the public has full access to the mouse genomic sequence. In the future, Affymetrix plans to download this information onto GeneChip probe arrays to enable scientists to make the most effective use of the flood of new genomic information, leading to greater knowledge of ourselves and others."

Stephen P.A. Fodor, Ph.D.
Chairman and CEO
Affymetrix, Inc.

"Now that the International Human Sequencing Consortium has deciphered most of the human DNA sequence, the major emphasis of the Human Genome Project has turned toward interpreting its meaning. The human sequence is written in a language we don't understand, rather like hieroglyphics. Having the mouse sequence to compare it to is rather like discovering the Rosetta stone. Comparing these two 'languages,' the human and the mouse, allows us to better understand them both."

Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D.
Director
National Human Genome Research Institute

"The National Cancer Institute is pleased to be participating in this project, which will have great impact on cancer research, both because of the importance of the mouse as an experimental organism and via the ability of the mouse sequence to shed light on the human genome."

Richard D. Klausner, M.D.
Director
National Cancer Institute

"There is no question that to take full advantage of the information gleaned from the human genome sequence, we will need a corresponding mouse genome sequence to allow cross-species comparison. This comparison will be a powerful tool for identifying the presumed or known function of the sequences of both genomes, and the sooner the research community can have available a draft mouse genome sequence, the better."

James F. Battey, Jr., M.D., Ph.D.
Director
National Institute of Deafness and Communication Disorders

"Accelerating access to the mouse genome sequence is vital to the interests of NIDDK-funded investigators. Availability of the mouse sequence should enhance both the efforts to identify causative genes in mouse models of diseases of interest to NIDDK (such as the NOD mouse with Type I diabetes), as well as efforts to identify human genes responsible for Types I and II diabetes, obesity, inflammatory bowel disease and various kidney disorders."

Allen M. Spiegel, M.D.
Director
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

"The Trust sees the mouse sequence as being an essential part of its overall strategy for the translation of sequence information to health care benefits. The value of forming the Mouse Sequencing Consortium is that by pooling resources this data will be freely available to all much earlier than originally planned. Our membership in this consortium ensures that the U.K. continues to play a leading role in this important area of scientific research."

Michael Dexter D.Sc., FIBiol, FRCPath, HonFRCP, FRS
Director
Wellcome Trust

"It is possible to perform genetic manipulations in mice that permit the analysis of the functions of specific genes. This allows us to test theories about the roles of genes in normal brain activity and in mental disorders. This speeds our understanding of the role of genes and for us, the faster, the better."

Steven E. Hyman, M.D.
Director
National Institute of Mental Health

"This effort will provide essential genomic tools to map genetic mutations onto specific neural circuits and complex behaviors in the mouse. This in turn will accelerate our understanding of the fundamental neurobiology of mental disorders."

Steven Moldin, Ph.D.
Director of the Human Genetics Program
National Institute of Mental Health

"The new consortium will greatly accelerate progress on the sequencing of the mouse genome. Data from this project will be invaluable to us in annotating the final draft of the human genome. It is exciting that we are moving rapidly toward completion of both projects."

John D. McPherson, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Genetics
Washington University School of Medicine