Okay, let's tackle this question about the ENCODE project. The user wants a detailed explanation for the MCQ, so I need to start by recalling what the ENCODE project is. ENCODE stands for Encyclopedia of DNA Elements. Its main goal is to identify all functional elements in the human genome. That includes not just genes but also regulatory regions, promoters, enhancers, and other non-coding elements.

The core concept here is genomics, specifically the functional annotation of the genome. The ENCODE project aims to map these elements to understand how they regulate gene expression and contribute to disease. So the correct answer should mention identifying functional elements in the genome.

Now, looking at the options, the correct answer would be the one that states the ENCODE project's purpose as identifying all functional elements in the human genome. The other options might be distractors like sequencing the genome, which was done by the Human Genome Project, or something else like protein structure or drug targets. I need to make sure each wrong option is explained clearly. For example, if an option says "sequence the human genome," that's incorrect because that was the HGP. Another wrong option might mention gene therapy, which is unrelated.

The clinical pearl here is to remember that ENCODE is about functional elements, not just gene sequences. Students often confuse ENCODE with the Human Genome Project, so highlighting that distinction is key. Also, emphasizing that it's about regulatory regions and non-coding DNA helps clarify its purpose beyond just genes.

I need to structure the explanation with all the required sections: Core Concept, why correct answer is right, why others are wrong, clinical pearl, and correct answer line. Each section should be concise, using bold for key terms. Make sure not to exceed the character limit and use proper formatting without markdown headers. Let me check the character count to stay within 2500. Alright, that should cover it.

**Core Concept**
The ENCODE (Encyclopedia of DNA Elements) project is a large-scale genomics initiative aimed at identifying functional elements in the human genome. Unlike the Human Genome Project, which focused on sequencing DNA, ENCODE emphasizes **gene regulation, non-coding RNA, and epigenetic modifications** to understand how genetic information is controlled.

**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The correct answer identifies ENCODE's primary goal as mapping **all functional elements in the human genome**, including promoters, enhancers, transcription factor binding sites, and non-coding RNAs. These elements regulate gene expression and contribute to cellular processes. By integrating data from chromatin structure, histone modifications, and RNA transcripts, ENCODE provides a comprehensive resource for studying **genomic regulatory networks** and their role in health and disease.

**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Likely refers to sequencing the human genome, which was achieved by the Human Genome Project, not ENCODE.
**Option B:** May suggest identifying protein-coding genes, which is incomplete—ENCODE also maps non-coding regulatory elements.
**Option C:** Could imply discovering drug targets, which is not ENCODE's primary objective but rather a downstream application.

**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
ENCODE data reveals that **98% of the human genome is non-coding**, yet these regions contain regulatory elements critical for gene expression. Mutations in these regions (e.g., enhancers) underlie many

✓ Correct Answer: C. To identify the functional elements of human genome