September 2005
ASHG 55th Annual Meeting, Salt Lake City, October 26-29, 2005
The international genetics community will be represented by more than 4,000 scientists, clinicians, counselors and other professionals presenting their most recent research at the 55th annual meeting of The American Society of Human Genetics in Salt Lake City, Utah. The attendees will participate in almost 30 symposia and workshops in addition to more than 2500 platform and poster presentations focusing on a variety of new research and clinical developments in human genetics, some 200 exhibits from U.S. and international vendors will highlight an unprecedented opportunity to view the latest advances in genetics-related products and services derived, in part, from work presented at this meeting in past years.
Many of the presentations will highlight the theme of the meeting "Realizing the Promise of the Human Genome Project" and will include discussion of advances that stem from resources developed during the completion of the human genome sequence. These include the use of microarrays to simultaneously analyze the expression of thousands of genes during development and disease processes, the identification of genetic factors in behavioral and communication disorders, and discussions of newly discovered genes for voice development and sensory degeneration will be presented.
The special symposium Genetics and Genomics in the Public Eye, will feature speakers discussing the use of genetic science in the judicial process, the role of genetics in the teaching of evolution in biology programs, and analysis of the media presentations and perceptions of genetics and science to the public. In addition, there will be two sessions on Saturday: a special historical session on "The Origins of the Human Genome Project" and the Distinguished Speakers' Symposium that will discuss the impact of the Human Genome Project on genetics and genomics.
The meeting is the venue for the presentation of major ASHG awards --including the William Allan Award for lifetime contributions to human genetics (to Francis Collins, NHGRI), the Curt Stern Award for major contributions in the last 10 years (to Pat Brown, Stanford University), the Award for Excellence in Education (to Joe McInerney NCHPEG)--and for the Peter Gruber Award (to Robert Waterston, University of Washington).