OU students and a chemistry professor contributed to the publication of a landmark paper on discoveries of the international Mouse Genome Sequencing Consortium, the Journal Nature announced Wednesday.

It is the first time that scientists have compared the contents of the human genome with that of another animal. The discoveries made at OU on the mouse genome project have made an important contribution in looking at the human genome and different human diseases. The mouse is the most important animal model and is widely used in the study of human diseases, according to sciencedaily.com.

"This is really an important contribution, which will hopefully lead to better treatment, tests and possible cures for human diseases," said Bruce A. Roe, George Lynn Cross professor of chemistry and biochemistry. "It is a very important next step in the stage of completion and an excellent medical model."

Roe and his students researched the mouse genome project and many of their efforts were included in a recent publication. The paper is from 20 different labs worldwide that discovered almost the entire genetic makeup of the mouse.

"We are one of the 20 labs that contributed research," Roe said.

The gene sequence of one of the smallest chromosomes, No. 22, was studied because only half of the function of the genes was known. What the other half does is unknown.

Now it is known that the mouse has almost the same set of genes as humans, and mice can be used in laboratory research. This information will allow scientists to test and learn more about human genes and have a better understanding of human disease and improved treatments and cures.

The publication is available free to the public on the Internet at genome.gov and other Web sites.
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