Meeting to hear latest developments in mapping human genes
More than 400 scientists from around the world will converge on Brisbane in late March to hear a progress report on the Human Genome Project, an effort aimed at mapping the estimated 80,000 genes that determine each human being.
As part of the conference, which will also deal with the ethical implications of this type of research, the international Human Genome Organisation (HUGO) Ethics Committee, will release a Statement on Cloning.
Committee chair Professor Bartha Maria Knoppers from Montreal will attend the conference along with other committee members including Justice Michael Kirby from Australia.
HUGO's annual scientific meeting is being organised by scientists at the University of Queensland's Centre for Molecular and Cellular Biology (CMCB) and will be held at the Brisbane Convention Centre between March 27 and 30.
HUGO is the international organisation of scientists involved in the Human Genome Project and was established to promote international collaboration between its approximately 1000 members from 50 countries involved with human genome research programs.
According to the CMCB and Australian Genome Research Facility (AGRF) director Professor John Mattick, the Human Genome Project began in 1990 to map all human chromosomes and ultimately determine the sequence of all three billion base pairs within human DNA. Base pairs are the chemical building blocks of genes and DNA. One gene may be made up of tens of thousands of base pairs.
"With this goal likely to be achieved within the next five years, scientists will have the raw information to determine how an individual develops and what errors and differences occur that lead to the many debilitating diseases which affect us," Professor Mattick said.
"The Human Genome Project represents a major revolution in modern biology and medicine and its impact will be felt well into the new millennium.
"It is the flagship for exploring the genetic basis of life and represents one of the most exciting and important scientific projects in history.
"The journal Science recently called genomics the third technology revolution (after the industrial revolution and the information revolution) and Time Magazine has labelled the next century the ?Biotech Century', in recognition of the enormous impact and potential of this field of research in all areas of biology and medicine.
"The potential of this revolution is being recognised worldwide with governments in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and Japan all considerably increasing public monies spent on such scientific research."
In Australia, the recently tabled Health and Medical Research Strategic Review, commissioned in 1998 by Dr Michael Wooldridge, strongly recommended an increase in Australian spending on health and medical research to capitalise on the economic benefits the revolution was likely to bring, he said.
"For Australia to remain the lucky country, we need to also be the smart country," according to Review chair Peter Wills.
"We already have the raw product - the scientific excellence. If we do not act now to make Australia a part of the game, in five years time we will be the consumers as we are now for information technology."
The HUGO meeting will present the global "state-of-the-art" in genomics, Professor Mattick said.
Scientists from countries with some of the larger programs such as the United States, Britain, Germany, Australia, Japan, Canada and the Netherlands would present scientific data at the Brisbane meeting.
He said the meeting's scientific program would focus on world-wide progress in the mapping, sequencing and understanding of the human genome.
Delegates would also hear about the publicly funded human gene sequencing project from Professor Richard Gibbs, an Australian scientist now leading genome research at the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston as well as a parallel, commercially-funded venture to sequence the human genome from Dr Craig Venter, of Celera Genomics Corporation.
"Dr Venter is one of the pioneers of genome research and recently announced his company would complete the entire sequence of the human genome within three years," Professor Mattick said.
He said one of the exciting developments to be discussed at the conference would be the primate genome project enabling exploration of the genetic basis of abstract thought, language and music, all of which were unique to humans.
"The conference will also include sessions on animal, plant and microbial genomes, mutation and genetic diversity, DNA forensics, pharmaceutical development and new technologies at the intersection of genetics and electronics," he said.
The University of Queensland and the Queensland Institute of Medical Research (QIMR) have a significant involvement with the Human Genome Project with many research groups involved in human gene discovery and mapping.
The University is also the headquarters of the AGRF, a major national facility established recently in conjunction with the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research.
The AGRF is currently sequencing part of human chromosome 16 in conjunction with the Adelaide Womens and Childrens Hospital. The University of Queensland's involvement in genome research would expand greatly with the planned $55 million Institute of Molecular Bioscience, part of a $100 million research complex to be constructed in conjunction with the CSIRO over the next two years.
The research facility will house 850 world-class scientists involved in biological discovery in the areas of mammalian biology, agriculture and the environment.
Professor Mattick said the meeting would also address the ethical, legal and social issues arising from the human genome effort and would include a free public lecture on the Human Genome Project and its implications from 1pm until 2.30pm on Monday, March 29, also at the Convention Centre. The lecture is sponsored by the CMCB in conjunction with the National Science Forum.
For more information prior to the conference, contact Professor Mattick (telephone 61 7 3365 4446, facsimile 61 7 3365 4388) or Dr Carol Wicking (telephone 61 7 3365 4560). At the conference, contact Dr Carol Wicking or Dr Louise O'Gorman (mobile 0412 547827, telephone 61 7 3308 3190 or facsimile 61 7 3308 3191).
