Writing a dictionary of the human body

NATIONAL and worldwide cooperative groups for phenome research were set up yesterday at the second International Symposium of Human Phenoics.

It was organized by the Fudan University and International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.

The two groups will study the relationship between genes and phenome to help prevent gene-related diseases. The establishment of the International Human Phenome Consortium and Human Phenome Consortium of China will gather scientists from home and abroad for comprehensive research on the phenotypic traits of the human body from macro to micro aspects.

The international consortium involves 16 countries, 21 scientific institutes and nine academicians, while the national one gathers 30 universities and scientific institutes, 20 hospitals of 3A-grade and five well-known enterprises.

Jin Li, vice president of Fudan University, said bioscience is now entering an “Age of Discovery” with the emergence of new findings.

According to Jin, the Human Phenome Project will conduct precise measurements on various structural and functional features of the human body in fields such as the phenotype of molecules, cells, images and functions.

This will help scientists clarify the relationships between physiological and pathological processes, which can control diseases.

“It is like we are writing a dictionary for our body and with it, the scientists can find the research materials they need just as consulting a dictionary,” said Jin.