There is growing enthusiasm in the scientific community about the prospect of mapping and sequencing the human genome, a monumental project that will have far-reaching consequences for medicine, biology, technology, and other fields. But how will such an effort be organized and funded? How will we develop the new technologies that are needed? What new legal, social, and ethical questions will be raised? Mapping and Sequencing the Human Genome is a blueprint for this proposed project. The authors offer a highly readable explanation of the technical aspects of genetic mapping and sequencing, and they recommend specific interim and long-range research goals, organizational strategies, and funding levels. They also outline some of the legal and social questions that might arise and urge their early consideration by policymakers.

The combined power of genetic analysis and recombinant DNA technology to analyse entire genomes has moved biomedical research into a new and revolutionary phase. The complete sequencing and mapping of the human genome, as well as the genomes of other model organisms, will be the basis for our future understanding of human disease, and will allow us to answer fundamental questions about development and evolution. T The new ICRF Handbook of Genome Analysis is the essential guide to the enormous range of techniques available to the researcher for both the genetic and physical mapping of the genome, as well as the sequencing and analysis of DNA. It is both a protocol manual and a comprehensive information resource. Written by international experts, each chapter presents a state-of-the-art review of a methodology. Methods are fully described and evaluated; their advantages and disadvantages discussed; and their suitability for different investigations considered. Step-by-step protocols, including computer analyses, are given for 123 essential experimental procedures. 'Troubleshooting' sections discuss possible reasons for failure and offer remedies. The primary focus is on human genetics and the benefits of an understanding of the genome for the diagnosis and treatment of human disease. The book also considers the current state of progress in the analysis of genomes of many model organisms, including plants. A major part of the work provides detail on Internet resources as well as basic data on human and other genomes, including mapped disease genes and mouse knockouts. Covers not only the human genome in relation to cancers and other human diseases, but also the genomes of all important model organisms Contains 123 easy-to-follow protocols for essential experimental procedures Reviews a vast range of other information resources, including journals and the Internet * provides an invaluable listing of suppliers of laboratory materials Has been written by international experts from their own practical experience Is mandated by the Imperial Cancer Research Fund - a leader in research in this field Has a sturdy spiral binding within a hardback case for ease of use in the lab

The rationale for co-ordinated activities related to human genome analysis is based on its potential contribution to the understanding of the processes underlying human disease, hence to improve diagnostics, treatment and eventually disease prevention. The basic idea on how best to meet this objective at a European level was through the collective improvement of research infrastructure, broader availability of resources and co-operation of leading research groups in Europe. The emphasis of the European programmes was placed on the provision of an adequate research infrastructure, including resource centres, to the improvement in the mapping facilities and information management. In this context, a paradigm of successful international collaboration was the European Human Genetic Linkage Mapping Project (EUROGEM), and the Single Chromosome Workshops (SCWs), monitored by the Human Genome Organisation (HUGO). This book contains the final reports of all 41 research projects funded under the BIOMED 1 programme during the period 1993 to 1997.

The first Human Genome Analysis Programme (HGAP) was launched for the years 1990-1992. The aim of this programme has been to ensure a significant European contribution to the worldwide effort to map the human genome and, in the long term, to set a basis for support of European research activities in future wide-ranging medical applications.