ENCODE

The Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) is a public research project which aims to identify functional elements in the human genome. The Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) is a public research project which aims to identify functional elements in the human genome. Encode was launched by the US National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) in September 2003. Intended as a follow-up to the Human Genome Project, the ENCODE project aims to identify all functional elements in the human genome. The project involves a worldwide consortium of research groups, and data generated from this project can be accessed through public databases. The project is beginning its fourth phase as of February 2017. Humans are estimated to have approximately 20,000 protein-coding genes, which account for about 1.5% of DNA in the human genome. The primary goal of the ENCODE project is to determine the role of the remaining component of the genome, much of which was traditionally regarded as 'junk.' The activity and expression of protein-coding genes can be modulated by the regulome - a variety of DNA elements, such as the promoter, transcriptional regulatory sequences, and regions of chromatin structure and histone modification. It is thought that changes in the regulation of gene activity can disrupt protein production and cell processes and result in disease. Determining the location of these regulatory elements and how they influence gene transcription could reveal links between variations in the expression of certain genes and the development of disease. ENCODE is also intended as a comprehensive resource to allow the scientific community to better understand how the genome can affect human health, and to 'stimulate the development of new therapies to prevent and treat these diseases'. The ENCODE Consortium is composed primarily of scientists who were funded by US National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI). Other participants contributing to the project are brought up into the Consortium or Analysis Working Group.