Micronutrient Genomics Project (MGP) workshop at The Third Human Variome Project Planning Meeting
UNESCO, Paris (FR), 10th May 2010

The Micronutrient Genomics Project (MGP) is a community driven project facilitating the development of systematic capture, storage, management, analyses, and dissemination of data and knowledge generated by biological studies focused on micronutrient – genome interactions. MGP’s workshop is the third in a series which aims to demonstrate the potential, elucidate the strategy, establish the necessary multidisciplinary links, build the organizational structures and develop the knowledge base. This MGP workshop is being held at UNESCO to foster collaborations with the Human Variome Project (HVP). The HVP and MGP share a common interest in analyzing, characterizing, and databasing genetic variation in the world’s populations. The MGP is focusing on micronutrients since they influence multiple metabolic pathways and optimum micronutrient supply is important for maintenance of homeostasis in metabolism and maintaining health throughout the lifecourse.

Existing research collects fragments of information, which are not stored systematically and not optimally disseminated. The Micronutrient Genomics Project (MGP) is a community driven project facilitating the development of systematic capture, storage, management, analyses, and dissemination of data and knowledge generated by biological studies focused on micronutrient – genome interactions. The MGP creates a public portal and open source bioinformatics toolbox for all "omics" information and evaluation of micronutrient and health studies. The core of the project focuses on access to, and visualization of, genetic/genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic information related to micronutrients. A series of additional features (modelling, flux analysis, pathway, and links between them) can be added as the portal develops.

For each micronutrient, an expert group will be established combining the various relevant disciplines. Each expert group will (i) collect all available knowledge, including genetic variation, (ii) collaborate with bioinformatics teams towards constructing the pathways and biological networks, and (iii) publish their findings on a regular basis. The project is transparently coordinated, regular meetings are organized and dissemination is arranged through a toolbox web portal, a communications website and dedicated publications. This Workshop will illustrate the purpose and usefulness of the MGP database and invite groups working on micronutrients to participate in these activities.

This MGP Workshop is sponsored by NuGO and the Division of Personalized Nutrition and Medicine of the US FDA/National Center for Toxicological Research


Draft Schedule

08:30-09:00 Introduction John Hesketh (NuGO)

09:00-09:45 Metabolites & Genetics Ahmed El-Sohemy (Toronto)

09:45-10:30 Metals and Genetics Jim Camakaris (Melbourne)

10:30-10:45 Break

10:45-11:30 Vitamins and Genetics Georg Leitz (Newcastle)

11:30-12:15 International Nutrition Barbara Burlingame (FAO)

12:30-13:30 Working Lunch

13:30-14:15 MGP Bioinformatics Chris Evelo

14:15-16:30 Discussion Coordinators - Jim Kaput & Ben van Ommen

Aims and objectives

• Common tools and needs of HVP and MGP (tools, databases, work on specific genes or gene categories, lessons learned, etc)
• How to translate a specific genetic variation into a phenotype which includes accounting for nutrition / micronutrients
• Browsing and visualisation of genetic variations (if possible in the context of biological networks)
• Building International Collaborations among HVP and MGP