1953 Watson-Crick structure of DNA published.
1975 F. Sanger, and independently A. Maxam and W. Gilbert, develop methods for sequencing DNA.
1977 Bacteriophage φ X-174 sequenced: first 'complete genome.'
1980 US Supreme Court holds that genetically-modified bacteria are patentable. This decision was the original basis for patenting of genes.
1981 Human mitochondrial DNA sequenced: 16 569 base pairs.
1984 Epstein-Barr virus genome sequenced: 172 281 base pairs
1990 International Human Genome Project launched - target horizon 15 years.
1991 J. C. Venter and colleagues identify active genes via Expressed Sequence Tags - sequences of initial portions of DNA complementary to messenger RNA.
1992 Complete low resolution linkage map of the human genome.
1992 Beginning of the Caenorhabditis elegans sequencing project.
1992 Wellcome Trust and United Kingdom Medical Research Council establish The Sanger Centre for large-scale genomic sequencing, directed by J. Sulston.
1992 J. C. Venter forms The Institute for Genome Research (TIGR), associated with plans to exploit sequencing commercially through gene identification and drug discovery.
1995 First complete sequence of a bacterial genome, Haemophilus influenzae, by TIGR.
1996 High-resolution map of human genome - markers spaced by ~ 600 000 base pairs.
1996 Completion of yeast genome, first eukaryotic genome sequence.
May 1998 Celera claims to be able to finish human genome by 2001. Wellcome responds by increasing funding to Sanger Centre.
1998 Caenorhabditis elegans sequence published.
1 September,1999 Drosophila melanogaster genome sequence announced, by Celera; released Spring 2000.
1999 Human Genome Project states goal: working draft of human genome by 2001 (90% of genes sequenced to >95% accuracy).
1 December,1999 Sequence of first complete human chromosome published.
26 June, Joint announcement of complete draft sequence of human genome.
2000
2003 Fiftieth anniversary of discovery of the structure of DNA. Target date for completion of high-quality human genome sequence by public consortium.
