Published synopses of the cumulative evidence for genetic factors in disease could supplement systematic reviews and meta-analyses, which tend to focus only on one or a few specific gene-disease associations at a time. The HuGENet Working Group on Assessment of Evidence organized a workshop in Venice on November 9-10, 2006, where a multi-disciplinary panel of around 25 experts discussed their experiences in developing synopses of cumulative evidence. Additional topics included ways to link human genome epidemiology with other biological and experimental evidence; the framework for causal inference; and methods for the efficient assessment of quantity and quality of cumulative evidence. An initial set of guidelines was agreed upon and will be refined over the coming months. The workshop presentations will be made available on the Canadian HuGENet Coordinating Centre website (http://www.hugenet.ca).  

• Learn more about this Workshop
• Read about other HuGE Workshops

The Emergence of Networks in Human Genome Epidemiology: Challenges and Opportunities (111 KB)
Daniela Seminara, et al
Epidemiology 2007 Jan;18(1):1-8

On the synthesis and interpretation of consistent but weak gene–disease associations in the era of genome-wide association studies(82 KB)
Muin J. Khoury, Julian Little, Marta Gwinn and John PA Ioannidis
Int. J. Epidemiol. December (2006)

Genomics and public health
Marta Gwinn, Scott Bowen, Muin J. Khoury and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2006 Dec 22;55 Suppl 2:20-1.

> View all HuGENet Publications and learn how to submit a paper for the HuGENet website

The HuGENet™ staff has compiled a list of funding opportunities for population-based research on the prevalence of human genetic variation, the association between genetic variants and human diseases, gene-gene or gene-environment interaction, or the evaluation of genetic tests for screening and prevention.  Items are pulled from the National Institutes of Health Office of Extramural Research.  Additional information and application details can be found by clicking on the respective links.  New program announcements or requests for applications will be posted in future issues of the “What's New?” as they become available.

• The Genes, Environment, and Development Initiative (U01)
  (RFA-DA-07-012)
  National Institute on Drug Abuse
  National Cancer Institute
  Application Receipt Date(s): March 15, 2007

>> View Entire List of Funding Opportunities for Population-Based Research in Human Genome Epidemiology

PLoS ONE  is an international, peer-reviewed, open-access, electronic journal from the Public Library of Science (PLoS) that aims to publish scientifically rigorous papers from all disciplines within science and medicine without judging their novelty. This journal creates new potential for HuGE by promoting more complete publication of sound research, tools for research synthesis, and a medium for better interdisciplinary communication.

In December, PLoS One published its first HuGE article, “Catechol-O-Methyltransferase Gene Polymorphism Modifies the Effect of Coffee Intake on Incidence of Acute Coronary
Events” , by Pertti Happonen, et al. Read, add annotations, start a discussion, or rate this and other articles at http://www.plosone.org. 

Numerous collaborative networks of investigators are undertaking meta-analyses of literature and of individual-level data on gene-disease associations. HuGENet™ is building a global network of such networks to create a resource for information, offer methodological support, promote sound design and standardization of analytical practices, generate inclusive overviews of fields-at-large, facilitate rapid confirmation of findings, and avoid duplication of effort. Visit the HuGENet™ Network of Networks Website  to learn more about this initiative and for information about how to join.

As of January 1, 2007, the HuGENet™ website contains 24,790 research studies indexed in the HuGE Published Literature database, referencing 2,602 genes, 871 factors (personal or environmental), and 3,031 health outcomes/diseases.  Both epidemiologic studies and review articles can be found in the database which includes 53 HuGE Reviews and 428 meta-analyses.  Please see the GDPInfo Summary of Contents for more details.

Note: The count of health outcomes indexed in the database is based on a query that groups similar outcomes according to ICD-9 codes.  This figure is different from the total numbers of records listed in the Genomics and Disease Prevention Information system (GDPInfo) portal Health Topics A-Z.

Search for specific HuGENet™ content using the Advanced Search feature in the GDPInfo query tool.

Provides link to non-governmental sites and does not necessarily represent the views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.