There are approximately 20,000 genes in the human genome. 20,000 packets that house the blueprints for every human cell. And every cell contains a complete copy of that genome. It's an incredible feat of bioengineering. But here's the question: If every human cell contains every single human gene, how does the cell know what to do? What process determines whether the cell becomes a pancreas or a patella? And what happens if that process falters - if the right gene is selected but is cast in the wrong role?


Published

September 14, 2021

Created by

Dana-Farber