Dr. Vidal says about 20% of the project is finished, making it already the most complete map of the human protein network.

WSJ: Genes May Link Disparate Diseases

The researchers also are developing protein-network maps for other organisms, including a yeast cell and Caenorhabditis elegans, a tiny worm with some 19, 000 genes, about the same number as humans.

WSJ: Genes May Link Disparate Diseases