Harvesting the fruits of the first stage of the Primate Genome Project

• Published in: Dōngwùxué yánjiū Vol. 44; no. 4; pp. 725 - 728
• Main Authors: Guo, Yuan-Ting, Shao, Yong, Bi, Xupeng, Zhang, Bao-Lin, Wu, Hong, Zhou, Yang, Li, Ming-Li, Yu, Li, Zhang, Guojie, Wu, Dong-Dong, Qi, Xiao-Guang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China Kunming Institute of Zoology, The Chinese Academy of Sciences 18.07.2023
• Subjects: Adaptation; Animals; Ecological balance; Ecology; Evolution & development; Gene sequencing; Genes; Genetic resources; Genetic structure; Genomes; Genomics; Hybridization; Medical research; Metabolism; Monkeys & apes; New species; Physiology; Primates; Primates - genetics; Resource conservation; Sustainable development; Technological change; Therapeutic targets; X chromosomes; Y chromosomes
• ISSN: 2095-8137; 0254-5853
• DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2023.172

Primates are highly successful mammals with significant morphological, behavioral, and physiological diversity. Studying the genomes of non-human primates, as the closest relative of humans, can provide insights into human evolution, genetic structure, and potential drug targets relevant to human health, thus making important contributions to medical research. Additionally, primate genome research can support ecological balance and resource conservation and promote sustainable development and human well-being. Despite the existence of more than 500 primate species belonging to 80 genera and 16 families worldwide, with new species still being discovered in recent years, genome sequencing efforts have been limited to a relatively small number of species from only 22 genera. Notably, approximately 72% of primate genera remain unsequenced, leading to significant knowledge gaps in our understanding of their evolutionary history. This situation presents considerable challenges for the development, utilization, and protection of primate genetic resources. Here, Guo discusses the Primate Genome Project.