BAP and BRIDGE: First full sequencing of yeast chromosome
A consortium of 35 European laboratories working in the framework of the Community's biotechnology action programme, BAP, (1985-1989) has succeeded in establishing the full sequence of yeast chromosome III. This is the first time the chromosome of a living organism has been completely analysed. A large number of spin-offs are expected in the agro-food and pharmaceutical industries, where yeast is widely used. The successful research, which involved 147 researchers during 1990 and 1991, also paves the way for future analysis of the far more complex genomes of plants, animals and man. Under the current specific programme of biotechnology research for innovation, development and growth in Europe, BRIDGE (1990-1994), the same teams are working on the sequencing of chromosomes VIII, X and XIV. It is predicted that all 16 chromosomes of the yeast genome will be fully analysed by the year 2000, with over half this work carried out in European laboratories.