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'''National Human Genome Research Institute''' ('''NHGRI''') is a pivotal institution in the field of genomics and genetic research. It is one of the 27 institutes and centers that make up the [[National Institutes of Health]] (NIH), located in Bethesda, Maryland, United States. The NHGRI's primary mission is to drive the understanding of the structure and function of the human genome and its role in health and disease. Through its support and conduct of genomic research, it aims to lay the foundation for advances in disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
{{DISPLAYTITLE:National Human Genome Research Institute}}
[[File:National_Human_Genome_Research_Institute_logo.svg|thumb|right|National Human Genome Research Institute logo]]
 
The '''National Human Genome Research Institute''' (NHGRI) is a division of the [[National Institutes of Health]] (NIH) in the [[United States]]. It is responsible for advancing the understanding of the [[human genome]] and its role in health and disease. The NHGRI was instrumental in the [[Human Genome Project]], which successfully mapped the entire human genome.


==History==
==History==
The NHGRI was initially established as the National Center for Human Genome Research (NCHGR) in 1989, in response to the growing interest and advancements in genomic science. Its creation was largely motivated by the ambitious goal of mapping and sequencing the human genome, a task it undertook as a lead agency in the [[Human Genome Project]]. The project, which was completed in 2003, was an international research effort to determine the DNA sequence of the entire human genome and to identify all the genes it contains.
The NHGRI was established in 1989 as the National Center for Human Genome Research. It was created to lead the NIH's efforts in the Human Genome Project, an international research initiative aimed at mapping and understanding all the genes of the human species. In 1997, the center was elevated to the status of an institute and renamed the National Human Genome Research Institute.
 
[[File:James_D_Watson.jpg|thumb|left|James D. Watson, co-discoverer of the structure of DNA]]
 
The Human Genome Project was completed in 2003, marking a significant milestone in genomics. The NHGRI has since focused on understanding the function of genes and their role in health and disease, as well as developing new technologies for genomic research.
 
==Leadership==
The NHGRI has been led by several prominent scientists in the field of genomics. [[James D. Watson]], known for his co-discovery of the structure of [[DNA]], was an early advocate for the Human Genome Project.


Following the successful completion of the Human Genome Project, the center was officially renamed the National Human Genome Research Institute in 1997, reflecting its broader focus on genomic research beyond just mapping and sequencing.
[[File:Francis_S._Collins_(from_the_NHGRI).jpg|thumb|right|Francis S. Collins, former director of the NHGRI]]


==Research and Programs==
[[Francis S. Collins]] served as the director of the NHGRI from 1993 to 2008. Under his leadership, the institute played a crucial role in the completion of the Human Genome Project. Collins later became the director of the NIH.
NHGRI's research portfolio is diverse, encompassing a wide range of topics in genomics. Its programs are designed to explore the complexities of the genome, understand the genetics of disease, and harness this knowledge to improve health outcomes. Key areas of research include:


* [[Genomic Medicine]]: Investigating how the genome can inform clinical practice and decision making to improve patient care.
[[File:Alan_Guttmacher,_former_director_of_the_NHGRI.jpg|thumb|left|Alan Guttmacher, former director of the NHGRI]]
* [[Genomic Function]]: Understanding the function of genes and the complex interactions between the genome and environmental factors.
* [[Genomics and Society]]: Examining the ethical, legal, and social implications of genomic research and its applications.


The institute also places a strong emphasis on technology development, aiming to create new and improved methods for genomic analysis. Additionally, it supports the training and development of a diverse workforce in genomics to ensure continued innovation and progress in the field.
[[Alan Guttmacher]] served as the acting director and then director of the NHGRI from 2009 to 2012. He focused on translating genomic research into medical practice.
 
[[File:Dr_Eric_D_Green,_Director_of_NHGRI.jpg|thumb|right|Dr. Eric D. Green, Director of NHGRI]]
 
[[Eric D. Green]] has been the director of the NHGRI since 2009. He has continued to advance the institute's mission of understanding the human genome and its implications for health.
 
==Research and Initiatives==
The NHGRI supports a wide range of research initiatives aimed at understanding the structure and function of the human genome. These include:
 
* '''ENCODE Project''': The Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) project aims to identify all functional elements in the human genome.
* '''Genomic Medicine''': The NHGRI is involved in efforts to integrate genomic information into clinical practice to improve patient care.
* '''Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) Research''': The institute funds research on the ethical, legal, and social implications of genomic research.


==Education and Outreach==
==Education and Outreach==
NHGRI is committed to educating the public and healthcare professionals about genomics and its implications for health and society. It offers a variety of resources, including educational materials, workshops, and seminars, to promote genomic literacy and encourage informed discussions about genomic science.
The NHGRI is committed to educating the public and healthcare professionals about genomics. It provides resources and training programs to enhance understanding of genomic science and its applications.


==Future Directions==
==Related pages==
As genomic technologies continue to evolve, the NHGRI is focused on advancing precision medicine — an approach to disease treatment and prevention that takes into account individual variability in genes, environment, and lifestyle. The institute is also working to enhance the diversity of genomic datasets, which is critical for ensuring that genomic research benefits all populations.
* [[Human Genome Project]]
 
* [[Genomics]]
==See Also==
* [[National Institutes of Health]]
* [[Genetics]]
* [[Francis S. Collins]]
* [[Genome]]
* [[Biotechnology]]
* [[Precision Medicine]]


[[Category:National Institutes of Health]]
[[Category:Genomics]]
[[Category:Genomics]]
[[Category:National Institutes of Health]]
[[Category:Research institutes in the United States]]
[[Category:Biomedical Research Institutes]]
{{medicine-stub}}
<gallery>
File:James_D_Watson.jpg|James D. Watson, co-discoverer of the structure of DNA
File:Michael_Gottesman_(41871897991).jpg|Michael Gottesman, prominent geneticist
File:Francis_S._Collins_(from_the_NHGRI).jpg|Francis S. Collins, former director of the NHGRI
File:Guttmacher20054-300.jpg|Alan Guttmacher, former director of the NHGRI
File:Dr_Eric_D_Green,_Director_of_NHGRI.jpg|Dr. Eric D. Green, Director of NHGRI
</gallery>
<gallery>
File:National_Human_Genome_Research_Institute_logo.svg|National Human Genome Research Institute logo
File:James_D_Watson.jpg|James D. Watson
File:Michael_Gottesman_(41871897991).jpg|Michael Gottesman
File:Francis_S._Collins_(from_the_NHGRI).jpg|Francis S. Collins
File:Guttmacher20054-300.jpg|Alan E. Guttmacher
File:Dr_Eric_D_Green,_Director_of_NHGRI.jpg|Dr. Eric D. Green, Director of NHGRI
</gallery>

Revision as of 18:50, 23 March 2025

National Human Genome Research Institute logo

The National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) is a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in the United States. It is responsible for advancing the understanding of the human genome and its role in health and disease. The NHGRI was instrumental in the Human Genome Project, which successfully mapped the entire human genome.

History

The NHGRI was established in 1989 as the National Center for Human Genome Research. It was created to lead the NIH's efforts in the Human Genome Project, an international research initiative aimed at mapping and understanding all the genes of the human species. In 1997, the center was elevated to the status of an institute and renamed the National Human Genome Research Institute.

James D. Watson, co-discoverer of the structure of DNA

The Human Genome Project was completed in 2003, marking a significant milestone in genomics. The NHGRI has since focused on understanding the function of genes and their role in health and disease, as well as developing new technologies for genomic research.

Leadership

The NHGRI has been led by several prominent scientists in the field of genomics. James D. Watson, known for his co-discovery of the structure of DNA, was an early advocate for the Human Genome Project.

Francis S. Collins, former director of the NHGRI

Francis S. Collins served as the director of the NHGRI from 1993 to 2008. Under his leadership, the institute played a crucial role in the completion of the Human Genome Project. Collins later became the director of the NIH.

File:Alan Guttmacher, former director of the NHGRI.jpg
Alan Guttmacher, former director of the NHGRI

Alan Guttmacher served as the acting director and then director of the NHGRI from 2009 to 2012. He focused on translating genomic research into medical practice.

Dr. Eric D. Green, Director of NHGRI

Eric D. Green has been the director of the NHGRI since 2009. He has continued to advance the institute's mission of understanding the human genome and its implications for health.

Research and Initiatives

The NHGRI supports a wide range of research initiatives aimed at understanding the structure and function of the human genome. These include:

  • ENCODE Project: The Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (ENCODE) project aims to identify all functional elements in the human genome.
  • Genomic Medicine: The NHGRI is involved in efforts to integrate genomic information into clinical practice to improve patient care.
  • Ethical, Legal, and Social Implications (ELSI) Research: The institute funds research on the ethical, legal, and social implications of genomic research.

Education and Outreach

The NHGRI is committed to educating the public and healthcare professionals about genomics. It provides resources and training programs to enhance understanding of genomic science and its applications.

Related pages