title: The Merck Gene Index project.
abstract: The Merck Gene Index project (MGIP) fills an important niche in the Human Genome Project by directly identifying genes through sequences of their transcripts and placing in the public domain a set of EST sequences and associated clones for the uniquely expressed human genes. The MGIP promotes the unrestricted exchange of human genomic data, and facilitates progress in biomedical research by reducing duplication of efforts, speeding the identification of disease-related genes and furthering our understanding of disease processes. The project is stimulating biological research, which in turn is the driving force in drug discovery today.