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2012

• ENCODE Project results published in Nature, Science and other journals. The results of the ENCODE project were published in a coordinated set of 30 papers published in multiple journals. These publications are the result of cross-consortium integrative analysis, covering more than 4 million regulatory regions in the human genome mapped as part of ENCODE. The coordinated publication set includes one main integrative paper and five other papers in the journal Nature; 18 papers in Genome Research; and six papers in Genome Biology. The ENCODE data are so complex that the three journals have developed a pioneering way to present the information in an integrated form they term "threads." Since the same topics were addressed in different ways in different papers, the Nature ENCODE website was developed to allow readers to follow a topic through all of the papers in the ENCODE publication set. In addition to these publications, six review articles are being published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, and other affiliated papers in Science, Cell, and other journals. The new Integrative Analysis page on the UCSC ENCODE portal provides links and descriptive material for these publications and related analysis resources. [News Credit: USCS Encode portal.] September, 2012.
• Illumina Launches MyGenome App for iPad; "First Tool of Its Kind for Visualizing the Human Genome", June, 2012.

2011

• Ruling Upholds Myriad Gene Patent in Cancer Test, NYT, July 30, 2011.
• Battelle HGP Report Published: $3.8 Billion Investment in HGP Drove $796 Billion in Economic Impact, Created Jobs, and Launched Genomic Revolution (May 2011); See Response From Nature: May 11, 2011.

2010

• Gene Patent Ruling Raises Questions for Industry, NYT, Nov. 1, 2010.
• 1000 Genomes Project Consortium publishes pilot paper in Nature, October 2010.

2008

• Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) Becomes Law, May 2008.
• Landmark Paper: Mapping and sequencing of structural variation from eight human genomes, Nature, May 1, 2008.
• Second-generation sequencing platforms cause dramatic price drop in sequencing costs. Prices begin to outpace Moore's Law. See associated graphs from NGHRI.

2007

• NIH Issues RFA for to support reference epigenome production centers that will develop reference epigenomes of a variety of human cells. RFA is expected to be issued in Fall 2007 with funding to begin in Fall 2008. See Roadmap Epigenomics Mapping Consortium for more information.
• Human Microbiome Project begins. See Turnbaugh, P.J. et al. (2007) The human microbiome project. Nature
  449, 804–810.

2006

• Human Chromosome 1 Completed, May 2006.
• Human Chromosome 3 Completed, April 2006.
• Human Chromosome 17 Completed, April 2006.
• Human Chromosome 11 Completed, March 2006.
• Human Chromosome 12 Completed, March 2006.
• Human Chromosome 15 Completed, March 2006.
• Human Chromosome 8 Completed, January 2006.

2005

• National Geographic magazine and IBM launch the Genographic Project, a multiyear research initiative using cutting-edge genetic and computational technologies to analyze historical patterns in DNA from participants around the world to better understand our human genetic roots.
• Human Chromosome 4 Completed, April 2005.
• Human Chromosome 2 Completed, April 2005.
• Human Chromosome X Completed, March 2005.

2004

• Human Chromosome 16 Completed, December 2004.
• Landmark Paper: Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome, Nature, Oct. 21, 2004
• Human Gene Count Estimates Changed to 20,000 to 25,000, October 2004.
• Human Chromosome 5 Completed, September 2004.
• Landmark Paper: Human genome: Quality assessment of the human genome sequence. Nature 429, 365-368 (27 May 2004)
• Human Chromosome 9 Completed, May 2004.
• Human Chromosome 10 Completed, May 2004.
• Human Chromosome 18 Completed, March 2004.
• Human Chromosome 19 Completed, March 2004.
• Human Chromosome 13 Completed, March 2004.

2003

• Human Chromosome 6 Completed, October 2003.
• NIH National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) launched a public research consortium named ENCODE, the Encyclopedia Of DNA Elements, in September 2003, to carry out a project to identify all functional elements in the human genome sequence.
• Human Chromosome 7 Completed, July 2003.
• Human Chromosome Y Completed, June 2003.
  
  
• Human Genome Project Declared Finished, April 2003.
  [Corresponding Nature and Science]
  
  
• Human Chromosome 14 Finished - Chromosome 14 is the fourth chromosome to be completely sequenced, January 2003.

2002

• International HapMap Project begins.
• Mouse Genome Sequencing Consortium publishes its draft sequence of mouse genome in the December 5, 2002, issue of Nature.
• International consortium led by the DOE Joint Genome Institute publishes draft sequence of Fugu rubripes.

2001

• Human Chromosome 20 Finished - Chromosome 20 is the third chromosome completely sequenced to the high quality specified by the Human Genome Project.
  
  
• Publication of Initial Working Draft Sequence February 12, 2001
  Special issues of Science (Feb. 16, 2001) and Nature (Feb. 15, 2001) contain the working draft of the human genome sequence. Nature papers include initial analysis of the descriptions of the sequence generated by the publicly sponsored Human Genome Project, while Science publications focus on the draft sequence reported by the private company, Celera Genomics. A press conference was held at 10 a.m., Monday, February 12, 2001, to discuss the landmark publications. Links for more information are:
  Science
  Nature
  Human Genome Project and the Private Sector: A Working Partnership
  Webcast of HGP Press Conference (Mon. Feb. 12, 2001)
  Press releases on First Analysis of Genome Sequence
• Pieter de Jong's team (now at the Oakland Children's Hospital, Oakland, CA) was a major provider of the BAC libraries used in the sequencing of the human and several other genomes.

2000

• HGP leaders and President Clinton announce the completion of a "working draft" DNA sequence of the human genome.
• Press briefing and remarks
• An Interview with Ari Patrinos, Director U.S. DOE Human Genome Program
  • Part One: Reaction to President Clinton's Announcement of the Completion of a Draft Sequence of the Human Genome
  • Part Two: Origins of the Human Genome Project, NIH Collaboration, and the Private Sector Role
  • Part Three: Application of Genome Discoveries, Next Steps in the Human Genome Project, and Ethical Considerations
• Craig Venter (head of Celera Genomics), Ari Patrinos (director of DOE Human
  Genome Program and Biological and Environmental Research Program), and Francis Collins (director, NIH National Human Genome Research Institute).
• International research consortium publishes chromosome 21 genome, the smallest human chromosome and the second to be completely sequenced.
• DOE researchers announce completion of chromosomes 5, 16, and 19 draft sequence.
  • Elbert Branscomb, Director, Joint Genome Institute
  • Trevor Hawkins, Director of Sequencing, Joint Genome Institute
• International collaborators publish genome of fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster.
• President Clinton signs executive order prohibiting federal departments and agencies from using genetic information in hiring or promoting workers. More.

1999

• First Human Chromosome Completely Sequenced! On December 1, researchers in the Human Genome Project announced the complete sequencing of the DNA making up human chromosome 22.
• Joint Genome Institute sequencing facility opens in Walnut Creek, CA.
• Major Drug Firms Create Public SNP Consortium
• The Billion Base Pair Celebration November 23, 1999. Bruce Alberts, President, National Academy of Sciences and early planner of the Genome Project; Francis Collins, Director, NHGRI; Secretary of HHS, Donna Shalala; Secretary of DOE, Bill Richardson. (Total Running Time: 01:09:45; Bandwidth: 146 Kbps)
• HGP advances goal for obtaining a draft sequence of the entire human genome from 2001 to 2000.

1998

• Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, to continue GDB data collection, curation.
• Caenorhabditis elegans genome sequence completed.
• DOE and NIH reveal new five-year plan for HGP, predict project completion by 2003.
• JGI exceeds sequencing goal, achieves 20 Mb for FY 1998.
• GeneMap'98 containing 30,000 markers released.
• Incyte Pharmaceuticals announces plans to sequence human genome in 2 years.
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacterium sequenced.
• Celera Genomics formed to sequence much of human genome in 3 years using HGP-generated resources.
• DOE funds production BAC end sequencing projects
• Largest-ever ELSI meeting attended by over 800 from diverse disciplines and sponsored by DOE; Whitehead Institute; and the American Society of Law, Medicine, and Ethics.
• Human Genome Project passes midpoint.

Acronyms

1997

• NIH NCHGR becomes National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI).
• Escherichia coli genome sequence completed.
• Second large-scale sequencing strategy meeting held in Bermuda. (see also summary)
• High-resolution physical maps of chromosomes X and 7 completed.
• DOE-NIH Task Force on Genetic Testing releases final report and recommendations.
• DOE forms Joint Genome Institute for implementing high-throughput activities at DOE human genome centers, initially in sequencing and functional genomics.
• UNESCO adopts Universal Declaration on the Human Genome and Human Rights

1996

• Methanococcus jannaschii genome sequenced; confirms existence of third major branch of life on earth.
  
• DOE initiates 6 pilot projects on BAC end sequencing.
• Health Care Portability and Accountability Act prohibits use of genetic information in certain health-insurance eligibility decisions, requires DHHS to enforce health-information privacy provisions.
• HGP Participants Agree on Sequencing Data Release Policies Bermuda Conference
• DOE and NCHGR issue guidelines on use of human subjects for large-scale sequencing projects.
• Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) genome sequence completed by international consortium.
• Sequence of the human T-cell receptor region completed.
• Wellcome Trust sponsors large-scale sequencing strategy meeting for international coordination of human genome sequencing.

1995

• LANL and LLNL announce high-resolution physical maps of chromosome 16 and chromosome 19, respectively.
• Moderate-resolution maps of chromosomes 3, 11, 12, and 22 maps published.
• Physical map with over 15,000 STS markers published.
• First (nonviral) whole genome sequenced (for the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae).
• Sequence of smallest bacterium, Mycoplasma genitalium, completed; provides a model of the minimum number of genes needed for independent existence.
• EEOC guidelines extend ADA employment protection to cover discrimination based on genetic information related to illness, disease, or other conditions.

1994

• Genetic-mapping 5-year goal achieved 1 year ahead of schedule.
• Completion of second-generation DNA clone libraries representing each human chromosome by LLNL and LBNL.
• Genetic Privacy Act, first U.S. HGP legislative product, proposed to regulate collection, analysis, storage, and use of DNA samples and genetic information obtained from them; endorsed by ELSI Working Group.
• DOE MGP launched; spin-off of HGP.
• LLNL chromosome paints commercialized.
• SBH technologies from ANL commercialized.
• DOE HGP Information Web site activated for public and researchers.

1993

• International IMAGE Consortium established to coordinate efficient mapping and sequencing of gene-representing cDNAs.
  • The Scientist 13[4]:17, Feb. 15, 1999 Hot Papers In Genomics:
    G. Lennon, C. Auffray, M. Polymeropoulos, M.B. Soares, "The I.M.A.G.E. Consortium: An Integrated Molecular Analysis of Genomes and Their Expression," Genomics, 33:151­2, 1996. (Cited in more than 290 papers since publication)
• DOE-NIH ELSI Working Group's Task Force on Genetic and Insurance Information releases recommendations.
• DOE and NIH revise 5-year goals [Science 262, 43-46 (Oct. 1, 1993)].
• French Généthon provides mega-YACs to the genome community.
• IOM releases U.S. HGP-funded report, "Assessing Genetic Risks."
• LBNL implements novel transposon-mediated chromosome-sequencing system.
• GRAIL sequence-interpretation service provides Internet access at ORNL.

1992

• Low-resolution genetic linkage map of entire human genome published.
• Guidelines for data release and resource sharing announced by DOE and NIH.

1991

• Human chromosome mapping data repository, GDB, established.

1990

• DOE and NIH present joint 5-year U.S. HGP plan to Congress. The 15-year project formally begins.
• Projects begun to mark gene sites on chromosome maps as sites of mRNA expression.
• Research and development begun for efficient production of more stable, large-insert BACs.

1989

• DNA STSs recommended to correlate diverse types of DNA clones.
• DOE and NIH establish Joint ELSI Working Group.
• First DOE Human Genome Program Contractor-Grantee Workshop scanned PDF

1988

• Reports by congressional OTA and NAS NRC committees recommend concerted genome research program.
• HUGO founded by scientists to coordinate efforts internationally.
• First annual Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory meeting on human genome mapping and sequencing.
• DOE and NIH sign MOU outlining plans for cooperation on genome research.
• Telomere (chromosome end) sequence having implications for aging and cancer research is identified at LANL.

1987

• Congressionally chartered DOE advisory committee, HERAC, recommends a 15-year, multidisciplinary, scientific, and technological undertaking to map and sequence the human genome. DOE designates multidisciplinary human genome centers.
  
• NIH NIGMS begins funding of genome projects.

1986

• Following the Santa Fe conference, DOE OHER announces Human Genome Initiative. With $5.3 million, pilot projects begin at DOE national laboratories to develop critical resources and technologies.
• First Santa Fe Conference is held, March 3-4, 1986. See Nature: Meetings that changed the world: Santa Fe 1986, (Oct. 16, 2008.)

1985

• Robert Sinsheimer holds meeting on human genome sequencing at University of California, Santa Cruz.
• At OHER, Charles DeLisi and David A. Smith commission the first Santa Fe conference to assess the feasibility of a Human Genome Initiative.

1984

• DOE OHER and ICPEMC cosponsor Alta, Utah, conference highlighting the growing role of recombinant DNA technologies. OTA incorporates Alta proceedings into report acknowledging value of human genome reference sequence.

1983

• LANL and LLNL begin production of DNA clone (cosmid) libraries representing single chromosomes.

1977 Project-Enabling Legislation

• The DOE Organization Act of 1977 (P.L. 95-91) mandated the Department "to assure incorporation of national environmental protection goals in the formulation and implementation of energy programs; and to advance the goal of restoring, protecting, and enhancing environmental quality, and assuring public health and safety," and to conduct "a comprehensive program of research and development on the environmental effects of energy technology and program."

1974 Project-Enabling Legislation

• The Federal Non-nuclear Energy Research and Development Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-577) authorized ERDA to conduct a comprehensive non-nuclear energy research, development, and demonstration program to include the environmental and social consequences of the various technologies.
• The Energy Reorganization Act of 1974 (P.L. 93-438) provided that responsibilities of the Energy Research and Development Administration (ERDA) shall include "engaging in and supporting environmental, biomedical, physical, and safety research related to the development of energy resources and utilization technologies."

1946 Project-Enabling Legislation

• The Atomic Energy Act of 1946 (P.L. 79-585) provided the initial charter for a comprehensive program of research and development related to the utilization of fissionable and radioactive materials for medical, biological, and health purposes. The Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (P.L. 83-706) further authorized the AEC "to conduct research on the biologic effects of ionizing radiation."

Acronyms

• ADA - Americans with Disabilities Act
  
• ANL - Argonne National Laboratory, a Department of Energy Laboratory
  
• BAC - bacterial artificial chromosome
  
• cDNA - complementary deoxyribonucleic acid
  
• DHHS - Department of Health and Human Services at National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  
• DNA - deoxyribonucleic acid
  
• DOE - Department of Energy
  
• EEOC - Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
  
• ELSI - ethical, legal, and social issues
• FY - federal fiscal year (October 1 to September 30)
  
• GDB - Genome Database
  
• GRAIL - Gene Recognition and Analysis Internet Link
  
• HERAC - Health and Enviornmental Research Advisory Committee
  
• HGI - Human Genome Initiative
  
• HGP - Human Genome Project, Human Genome Program
  
• HUGO - Human Genome Organisation
  
• ICPEMC - International Commission for Protection Against Environmental Mutagens and Carcinogens
  
• IMAGE - Integrated Molecular Analysis of Gene Expression
  
• IOM - Institute of Medicine
• JGI - the Department of Energy's Joint Genome Institute in Walnut Creek, California. The JGI houses the DOE's production sequencing facility.
  
• LANL - Los Alamos National Laboratory, a Department of Energy Laboratory
  
• LBNL - Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, a Department of Energy Laboratory
  
• LLNL - Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, a Department of Energy Laboratory
  
• MGP - Microbial Genome Project
  
• MOU - memorandum of understanding
  
• mRNA - messenger ribonucleic acid
  
• NAS - National Academy of Sciences
  
• NCHGR - National Center for Human Genome Research at National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  
• NHGRI - National Human Genome Research Institute at National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  
• NIGMS - National Institute of General Medical Sciences at National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  
• NIH - National Institutes of Health
  
• NRC - National Research Council
• OBER - Office of Biological and Environmental Research, U.S. Department of Energy (formerly Office of Health and Environmental Research)
  
• OHER - Office of Health and Environmental Research, U.S. Department of Energy (now Office of Biological and Environmental Research)
  
• ORNL - Oak Ridge National Laboratory, a Department of Energy Laboratory
  
• OTA - Office of Technology Assessment
  
• R&D - research and development
  
• SBH - Sequencing by hybridization
  
• STS - sequence tagged site
• UNESCO - United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization
  
• YAC - yeast artificial chromosome