Immune-Gene Rich Chromosome 6 Analyzed

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Scientists have finished analysis of Chromosome 6, which holds genes linked

to the body's immune response against bacteria and viruses.

It is the largest of the 23 pairs of human chromosomes completed so far,

with 2,190 genes, and forms nearly 6 percent of the human genome.

" Chromosome 6 is very rich in immune genes. These are the genes that give us

protection from pathogens, " said Stephan Beck, the head of human sequencing

at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Center in Cambridge, England, which reported

the results in the journal Nature.

After completing the sequencing of the genome, the list of coded

instructions needed to make a person, researchers are now analyzing each

chromosome in hopes of learning how to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases.

Beck said the immune genes are particularly important for transplant

medicine because doctors will be better able to match donor organs

and recipients.