HuGENet Network of Networks Workshop - Cambridge, October 2005

Hosted jointly by the Human Genome Epidemiology Network (HuGENet) Executive Committee and Cambridge Genetics Knowledge Park (CGKP). 6-7 October 2005 King's College, Cambridge, UK.

Numerous collaborative networks of investigators are undertaking meta-analyses of literature and of individual-level data on gene-disease associations. HuGENet is building a global network of such networks to create a resource for information, offer methodological support, promote sound design and standardization of analytical practices, generate inclusive overviews of fields-at-large, facilitate rapid confirmation of findings, and avoid duplication of effort.

HuGENet hosted this workshop to bring together representatives from established and in-development networks to (i) share experiences in setting up and maintaining a consortium of investigators; (ii) identify areas in which standardization of approaches across consortia might be mutually beneficial; (iii) plan a registry of registries of epidemiologic studies; and (iv) plan future activity of the network of networks.

Click here for a report of the meeting.

Participants

Jonine Bernstein, Paolo Boffetta, Melissa Bondy, Molly Bray, Paul Brenchley, Adam Butterworth, Juan Pablo-Casas, Anand Chokkalingam, John Danesh, Siobhan Dolan, Ross Duncan, Nelleke Gruis, Marta Gwinn, Mia Hashibe, Julian Higgins, John Ioannidis, Mohamed Karmali, Muin Khoury, Julian Little, Demetrius Maraganore, Thomas O'Brien, Juan Pablo-Casas, Elio Riboli, Gurdeep Sagoo, Georgia Salanti, Daniela Seminara, Honglin Song, Emanuela Taioli, Nic Timpson, Andre Uitterlinden, Paolo Vineis, Nick Wareham, Debbie Winn, Ron Zimmern.

List of sessions

1. Introduction

• Muin Khoury
• John Ioannidis

2. Experiences in building and maintaining consortia

2a. Setting up

• Tom O'Brien (HIV)
• Andre Uitterlinden (osteoporosis)
• Siobhan Dolan (pre-term birth
• Julian Little (cranio-facial anomalies)
• Melissa Bondy (for Beatrice Malmer) (brain tumours)

2b. Scientific approach

• John Danesh (cardiovascular)
• Elio Riboli (breast and prostate cancer)
• Jim Maraganore (Parkinson's)
• Paolo Boffetta (cancer consortia)

2c. Other organisational issues

• Jonine Bernstein (radiation and cancer)
• Emanual Taioli (GSEC)
• Nelleke Gruis (melanoma)

3. Building a registry of registries

3a. The Cochrane experience

• Julian Higgins

3b. Disease or gene-specific registries

• Emanuela Taioli (GSEC)
• Daniela Seminara (NCI sponsored consortia)
• Jim Maraganore (Parkinson's)
• Paolo Vineis (DNA repair genes)

4. Summary

4a. Key Points

• John Ioannidis

4b. Vision

• Muin Khoury

  Related websites: Main HuGENet site | Greece Coordinating Centre | Canada Coordinating Centre