Scientists have reached a major milestone in genetic research—a comprehensive, searchable resource that details the functions of more than 20,000 human protein-coding genes. This groundbreaking project, developed by researchers at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and international collaborators, combines evolutionary modeling with genetic data from a variety of organisms, offering the most comprehensive understanding of human gene function to date.
A Breakthrough for Genetic Research
For more than 25 years, the Gene Ontology Consortium has provided a critical knowledge base for biomedical research. Now, with the addition of evolutionary insights, scientists can better interpret complex genetic data. The resource, called the PAN-GO functionality, is improving research into diseases like cancer, where identifying gene activity is critical to developing targeted therapies.
How it works
By analyzing data from humans and model organisms such as mice and zebrafish, the researchers categorized genes into over 40,000 biological functions, including:
Cell division
Immune response
Molecular transport
Cell signaling
This evolutionary approach helps fill gaps in scientific knowledge, making it easier to understand gene functions even when direct human data are not available.
Impact on future research
The PAN-GO functional complex is not just a static database—it is a growing resource. Scientists from around the world are encouraged to contribute by updating gene function data via the project website. Artificial intelligence-based tools further streamline data analysis, enabling researchers to extract information efficiently.
With 82% of human protein-coding genes mapped, this resource is a significant step forward. However, about 3,600 genes remain uncharacterized, paving the way for future discoveries. As genetic research advances, this encyclopedia of human genes will continue to shape biomedical breakthroughs.
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