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Human Genome News, July 1994; 6(2)

NCHGR Intramural Program Reaches Out

The Division of Intramural Research of the National Center for Human Genome Research (NCHGR) was established in 1993 to study genes that cause diseases, including cancer; and to focus on medical genetics, clinical gene-therapy research, and the development of clinical diagnostic tests. With a broader scope than the U.S. Human Genome Project, which is composed of the NCHGR extramural and DOE genome programs, the intramural program also complements and fosters collaboration with other NIH research efforts in human molecular genetics, structural biology, and gene therapy.

To make information about the latest advances available to scientists and others outside NIH, the intramural program has established education and outreach activities, including the following.

Genetics Education Program: Designed to increase knowledge among teachers, students, policymakers, news media personnel, health-care professionals, and the general public about human gene-mapping and cloning technologies, cancer genetics, and gene therapy. Director Paula Gregory said of the program, "We hope to give people the knowledge they need to understand genetics so they can make informed and responsible decisions about how they will use genetic technologies in their lives."

Through a variety of formats, including courses and hands-on workshops, Gregory teaches DNA science and helps teachers learn creative and effective ways to communicate this information to their students. Several programs are aimed at cultivating minority participation in genome research, including a short course for faculty from minority colleges and universities.

Program staff also maintain a comprehensive computer listing of genetics education programs throughout the country; prepare informational brochures, slide sets, and videos; coordinate mentor programs among genome scientists and local college and high school faculty; work with state and national teacher organizations; and publish and distribute a national newsletter on genetics for educators. A workshop for science and medical writers is planned for September 30 on the NIH campus in Bethesda.

Contact: Paula Gregory, NCHGR; Bldg. 10, Rm. 10C100; 9000 Rockville Pike; Bethesda, MD 20892 (301/496-3978, Fax: -7157, Internet: edcore@helix.nih.gov ).

Visiting Investigator Program (begins January 1, 1995): Allows tenured or tenure-track university scientists to use NCHGR resources for 3 to 12 months. Visting investigators can learn new technologies, conduct research collaborations, or pursue sabbatical research in genetic diseases; gene transfer; cancer genetics; development of diagnostic techniques; clinical gene therapy; medical genetics; and ethical, legal, and social implications of genomic research. Betty Wolf, Director of the Visiting Investigator Program, says, "This program is designed to respond to the increasing need for access to new technol-ogies among the genetics community and to encourage implementation of such technologies when investigators return to their home institution."

Partial funding of salary support and all funding for research-related expenses while at NIH are available to visiting investigators. Project proposals extending to 1 year are preferred so that research objectives may be accomplished. Applications are accepted throughout the year, with selection based on potential or demonstrated excellence in a clinical or research discipline.

Contact: Betty Wolf, NCHGR; Bldg. 49, Rm. 4A38; 9000 Rockville Pike; Bethesda, MD 20892 (301/402-2012, Fax: -2440, Internet: wolfie@helix.nih.gov ).


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The electronic form of the newsletter may be cited in the following style:
Human Genome Program, U.S. Department of Energy, Human Genome News (v6n2).

Human Genome Project 1990–2003

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.

Human Genome News

Published from 1989 until 2002, this newsletter facilitated HGP communication, helped prevent duplication of research effort, and informed persons interested in genome research.