The 1000 Genomes Project is setting out to make a map of the human genome in order to find DNA variations.
They have stated that when you compare two humans, they are 99% the same in terms of their DNA. What the project is setting out to do is to figure out that 1% of DNA and the variations which are in place.
These variations lead to higher risks of people for diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and more.
They are going to map out the single-letter differences in DNA as well as make maps of bigger differences in genome structure. To do this they will have to map out the DNA of 1,000 people at least.
They will be taking DNA genome maps from people all around the world in Japan, China, Nigeria, and more.
The 1000 Genomes Project includes many institutes including the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, National Human Genome Institute, and the Beijing Genomics Institute.