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A NETWORK OF BIORESOURCES
The
DMMC's Programme for Human Genomics (PHG) is establishing a unique
Irish bioresource comprising genes, proteins and tissues integrated
with uniform and accurate phenotypic data.
Coupled
with the relative genetic homogeneity of the Irish population this
will confer Irish biomedical researchers with a significant advantage
over international competitors placing them at the fulcrum of international
collaborative research efforts in genomics and proteomics. The BioResource
will seamlessly integrate state-of-the-art genotypying and phenotyping
activities in Dublin's major teaching hospitals with cutting-edge
core laboratory research programmes of the DMMC.

The core components
of the Irish Bioresource are:
1. A network of Genome Resource Units in Dublin hospitals, designed
to access genetic material, phenotypic data and tissues from patients
drawn from approximately half of the Irish patient population;
2. A central management and implementation
structure to: (a) ensure uniformity and quality in clinical phenotyping,
(b) standardise methods for harvesting and storage of clinical materials,
and (c) ensure that investigators have appropriate access to the
resource;
3. Core expertise in genetic epidemiology,
bioinformatics and data management that will complement laboratory-based
programmes in functional genomics and proteomics;
4. A trans-institutional bioethical review
committee to ensure that the scientific programme adheres to the
highest ethical standards.
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