Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy Human Genome Program
Human Genome News Archive Edition
Human Genome News, May 1991; 3(1)
The NIH Human Genome Program emphasizes the construction of complete genetic and physical maps of the genomes of human and selected model organisms and development of new technology and information systems to manage mapping and sequencing data. Sequencing entire genomes will begin when the cost of sequencing is substantially below current cost.
The NIH National Center for Human Genome Research (NCHGR) explored the usefulness of cDNA isolation and analysis in helping to achieve the Human Genome Project's 5-year goals. This examination comes in light of the attention being given to cDNAs by human genome programs in the United Kingdom, some European countries, and more recently by DOE. A small group (see participants' list below) that included members of the Program Advisory Committee on the Human Genome met December 2, 1990, in Bethesda, Maryland, to discuss the role cDNAs might play in the NIH Human Genome Program.
The group identified the following advantages of pursuing cDNA studies:
The group cautioned that this is a research area not previously envisioned as part of the 5-year goals. If cDNA studies are supported, the group suggested the following considerations:
Participants suggested that NCHGR pursue development of technology with the following objectives:
The group also indicated that many cDNAs have been well characterized by biologists working in areas other than the Human Genome Project. They suggested that mechanisms be developed to facilitate identification of STSs on these cDNAs and mapping of these cDNAs to chromosomes. The group recommended that NCHGR collaborate with other NIH components on this project. (See announcement of RFA HG-91-02.)
Reported by Bettie J. Graham, Chief
NCHGR Research Grants Branch
The electronic form of the newsletter may be cited in the following style:
Human Genome Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Human Genome News (v3n1).
The Human Genome Project (HGP) was an international 13-year effort, 1990 to 2003. Primary goals were to discover the complete set of human genes and make them accessible for further biological study, and determine the complete sequence of DNA bases in the human genome. See Timeline for more HGP history.
Published from 1989 until 2002, this newsletter facilitated HGP communication, helped prevent duplication of research effort, and informed persons interested in genome research.