China works out world's first system to decod mammalian genes

According to Shanghai-based Fudan University, researchers with the Institute of Developmental Biology and Molecular Medicine of its School of Life Sciences had worked out the world's first highly efficient and practical transposition system to decode information in mammal's genome and hopefully to study more closely the mammalian life cycle, including causes for birth defects and certain diseases.
They used PiggyBac (PB), a DNA transposon from moth, in their research on the gene function of the cells of mice and human beings.
Their achievement provides new means for large-scale research on mammalian gene function.
Their theis, "Efficient Transposition of the PiggyBac Transposition in Mammalian Cells and Mice", was published in Cell magazine on July 21, 2005.
Application for international patent has been filed.
Sources say, as tested through Human Genome Project, mammals have about 30, 000 genes. What functions do these genes have? To answer this question an instrument must be found to create large-area mutagenesis and to breed transgenic animals.
Transposon is a kind of gene carrier, which can enter different locations of the genome. Scientists can create mutagenesis by inserting them into genes, thus get to know the gene's function. Or, they can bring genes into it to cultivate transgenic organisms. Unfortunately, naturally bioactive transposon had hardly been found in mammals. Scientists all over the world have long been making great efforts in seeking an efficient and practical transposon for mammals.
In Chinese, the PiggyBac, a DNA transposon from a moth, is named after "Kua'e", the Hercules in Chinese legends. Its elements can be used for genetic manipulation of mice, including generating transgenic mice.
Since 99 percent of human genes are similar with those in mouse, mouse is the model organism for research on the function of mammalian and human genes.
The research group led by Dr. Xu Tian and Dr. Wu Xiaohui from Fudan University discovered after repeated studies: PB can transpose in mouse genome efficiently and can be used to cultivate transgenic mouse.
PB permits the expression of the marker genes it carries, which provides an efficient and convenient new system for research on somatic genetics and gene expression.
With the new research method discovered by Chinese scientists, genes related to diseases in large scope can be found quickly, multiple disease models can be established to look for mechanism of disease and target of drug so as to discover and innovate treatment and medicine. It offers a new means of genetic treatment for human diseases. The new method can also be used to identify and study genes with important biological functions and to improve commercial animals.
Currently, genome program based on PB for large-scale research on gene function has been launched by Fudan University. It is of far-reaching importance for human beings to understand themselves and to prevent and cure various diseases.