UK HuGENet Coordinating Centre (UKHCC)

The UK HuGENet Coordinating Centre (UKHCC) is now hosted at the Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit of the University of Cambridge, having been previously hosted jointly by the MRC Biostatistics Unit and the PHG Foundation (formerly known as the Public Health Genetics Unit) until 2009. It aims to fulfil the general functions of a HuGENet Coordinating Centre:

• To facilitate and undertake systematic reviews of published and unpublished literature in gene prevalence, genetic association and joint effects of genes and environmental factors;
• To disseminate findings from systematic reviews and to develop succinct summaries to 'translate' results of primary research into information that could be usable by providers and the general public;
• To develop methodology for HuGE reviews and related initiatives;
• To offer training and support.

Methodology

The UKHCC has a special interest in methodology of systematic reviews, and of meta-analysis in particular. We provide major input into the HuGE Review Handbook.

Reviews and databases

HuGENet is working to establish registries, databases and information resources of information on genetic associations, interactions and genetic tests. The UK Centre is developing some of these databases. In particular we host a resource of protocols for HuGE reviews, are developing a database of genetic association studies in coronary heart disease (with the Cardiovascular Epidemiology Unit in Cambridge) and plan a database of evaluations of genetic tests.

A Network of Networks

Numerous consortia exist of investigators undertaking meta-analyses of literature and individual-level data from genetic association studies. HuGENet instigated a network of some two dozen such consortia (a 'network of networks') and developing a 'register of registers' of epidemiological studies that will underlie the proposed register of epidemiological platforms described above. This register is hosted by the Greece Coordinating Centre. The UK Centre is supporting locally-based networks, and in particular is working closely with the cardiovascular disease network (led by Prof John Danesh).

Reporting guidelines for human genome epidemiology

A statement offering guidance for improved reporting of general epidemiological studies is under development by HuGENet and others (STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology, STROBE). The UK Centre is working with the Canada HuGENet Coordinating Centre in facilitating development of a version of this statement for application to genomic exposures, bringing together primary researchers, systematic review authors and medical editors.