[Chinese Human Genome Project--opportunity and challenge].
The Chinese Human Genome Project(HGP) started in 1993 and has since made substantial progress in 3 major aspects: the genome resource conservation and genetic polymorphism studies of multiple Chinese nationalities; the development of an advanced technological system for genome research; the cloning of some desease-related genes and a large number of expressed sequence tags(ESTs). At the same time a qualified research team has been formed and some centers for genome studies have been founded in the country. The major tasks in the next phase of the project are: (1) Further expanding the genetic material conservation scope including collection of more DNA samples and establishment of more immortalized cell lines; (2) Developing morbid genomics which includes epidemiological survey and registration, collection, maintenance and banking of the data and genetic material resource; making significant progress in mapping, cloning, mutation screening, and large-scale sequencing of the genes related to tumors, inheritable diseases and particularly multigenic diseases in the hope that a number of genes for important diseases will be obtained; (3) Initiation of the functional genomics which includes studies on bioinformatics, expression spectrum of transcription and translation of the genome in physiological and pathological processes; (4) Enhancing the studies on the ethical, legal and social issues related to human genome sciences.
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Shanghai Human Genome Center, Shanghai Institute of Hematology and Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai, 200025 P. R. China. zchen@ms.stn.sh.cn
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D002681:China; D016045:Human Genome Project; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged