University of Hong Kong Genome Research Centre - July 2005

Some recent progress in human genetics, in the context of JBS Haldane's contributions
by Prof. Krishna R. Dronamraju
President, Foundation for Genetic Research
Houston, Texas, USA
Date and Venue:
4:00pm, 21 July 2005
Seminar Room 5, LG1, Laboratory Block
Faculty of Medicine Building, 21 Sassoon Road

Synopsis:
Much of recent progress in some aspects of human genetics can be traced to the contributions of a few pioneers. One of the most significant founders was JBS Haldane whose ideas have led to important advances in human genetics in recent years. Of particular importance are the study of human mutation rates, the construction of human gene maps and later the human genome project itself, and the population dynamics of infectious diseases and the evolutionary process. Progress today is being advanced by the application of the fundamental principles to various newly arising situations in disease epidemiology.
Although new techniques and approaches are transforming human genetics rapidly, the framework of the new discipline continues to be strongly influenced by the early foundations.