Melbourne Information Seminar

14th March 9.00am - 5.30pm

The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute
7th Floor Lecture Theatre,
1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Melbourne.

Keynote Speaker: Myles Axton, Editor, Nature Genetics

Dear Colleague,

The Human Variome Project (HVP) was initiated at a meeting in June 2006 and addressed the problems of collecting genetic information and generated 96 recommendations (http://www.nature.com/ng/journal/v39/n4/full/ng0407-423.html) to overcome these, with the focus on Mendelian disease. A considerable number of projects have been added to those ongoing since that meeting. Also, a planning meeting is to be held May 25-9, 2008 in Spain (http://www.humanvariomeproject.org/HVP2008).

A dramatic boost has been given to the HVP by the preparedness and action of the International Society for Gastrointestinal Hereditary Tumours (InSiGHT; http://www.insight-group.org), in order to improve their own informatics systems for dealing with inherited colon cancer, set up a pilot system for collection and databasing mutation and phenotype information, i.e. for the HVP. This is then intended to be transferred to other genes and countries. Much relevant activity in this project is being led from and is based in Melbourne.

This meeting in Melbourne has been conceived to review the current local situation and plans for the future. We are privileged that Myles Axton, Editor of Nature Genetics, a strong supporter of the HVP (see April Nature Genetics Editorial) and has some ideas in the area (see August Nature Genetics Editorial) has agreed to be keynote speaker.

We propose that the output of this meeting might be published and with permission the abstracts placed on the website. We also hope it will inform the May HVP Planning Meeting.

Spaces are limited and for catering purposes, please register for the meeting by contacting This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Yours sincerely,

Prof. Richard Cotton DSc
Convenor Human Variome Project