Additional Sequencing of the Chicken Genome

The chicken (Gallus gallus) genome represents an important non-mammalian reference sequence that will greatly facilitate the identification of functional sequences within the human genome. Our recent manuscript describing the draft sequence of the chicken genome touched upon several interesting features with direct relevance to vertebrate genome evolution (Hillier et al, 2004). Even in its current draft status, the chicken genome sequence is arguably the most useful species sequenced to date for pair-wise comparisons with the human sequence. Additionally, the chicken is in itself an important model organism, and its genome further serves as a resource for biological research aimed at improving bird health and increasing food production for humans.