Skip ads and navigation
Advertising
Our network sites seattlepi.comHelp

Two UW scientists receive recognition for genome work

Wednesday, April 24, 2002

SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER STAFF

Two University of Washington scientists have been recognized as among the world's leading contributors to research aimed at deciphering the human genetic code.

Maynard Olson and Phillip Green, professors of genome and computer sciences, are among eight scientists who have been internationally recognized along with the co-discoverer of DNA, James Watson, by the Canadian Gairdner Foundation for their contributions to this branch of science.

Olson, director of the UW Genome Center and one of the leaders in the public effort to sequence the human genome, was recognized for his central role in establishing many of the conceptual and technical foundations for the Human Genome Project. The sequencing stage of that project was completed after a contentious race with a private firm, Celera, in February 2001.

Green was recognized by the foundation for creating the computer software that made the automated sequencing of 3 billion base pairs in the human genome possible. Green was also one of those who early in the project made the startling, and correct, prediction that the genome likely would contain far fewer genes than expected (about 40,000 rather than 100,000).

Both Olson and Green continue to work on the genome, refining the sequence data, assisting in the identification of genes and establishing function. Beyond genomic sequencing, scientists are now looking at how the body uses this genetic information.

That will "surely lead to major breakthroughs in medicine and health -- from the discovery of the genesis of disease to the design and delivery system of new treatments," said John Dirks, Gairdner Foundation president.

Of 255 Gairdner winners since 1959, 56 have gone on to win Nobel Prizes. The winners received $30,000. This year, the foundation is focused on the scientists who have contributed most to genomics.

Add P-I Local headlines to
My web site My Yahoo! Google *More options
advertising
INSIDE SEATTLEPI.COM

Day in Pictures
The German chancellor and more
David Horsey
Giving Chinese dissidents a choice
'Mad Men' returns
Cable hit rides wave of publicity
ADVERTISING
LOCAL HEADLINES
· Principal charged with raping teen
· 520 tolls may stretch from I-5 to Bellevue
· Plane hopper has worn out cute welcome
· Officer's firing unjustified, board says
· Christians taking on role as environmentalists
· Group proposes climate-saving strategy
· State race for public lands chief could get rough
· Fifth dental death in 3 years
· Stepson faces jury in for-hire slaying
· Agencies asked to ease safety rules
· Legacy House turns 10
· Mercer Island residents sue to stop Tent City
*more
AP LOCAL HEADLINES
· Gates, Bloomberg pool riches to fight smoking
· Amazon shrugs off high gas prices, weak economy
· WA Lotto jackpot increases to $9.7 million
· Winning lottery numbers chosen
· DNA tests confirm wild gray wolves in Okanogan Co.
*more
AP WEST HEADLINES
· WA medical school celebrates opening
· Report: Invasive species hurt Volcanoes park
· Western governors offer emissions plan
· U.S., Mexico investigating border tunnel barrier
· Fate of Alaska gas pipeline with state Senate
*more
Advertising
OUR AFFILIATES
NWsource KOMO
Pacific Publishing

Seattle Post-Intelligencer
101 Elliott Ave. W.
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 448-8000

Home Delivery: (206) 464-2121 or (800) 542-0820
seattlepi.com serves about 1.7 million unique visitors
and 30 million page views each month.

Send comments to newmedia@seattlepi.com
Send investigative tips to iteam@seattlepi.com
©1996-2008 Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Terms of Use/Privacy Policy

Hearst Newspapers