HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee

The HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC) is an organization that is responsible for the standardization of human gene nomenclature. The committee operates under the auspices of the Human Genome Organisation (HUGO) and works to ensure that each human gene is assigned a unique and meaningful name and symbol.

History

The HGNC was established in 1979 to address the growing need for a standardized system of gene nomenclature. The committee's work has become increasingly important with the advent of the Human Genome Project and the subsequent explosion of genetic information.

Objectives

The primary objectives of the HGNC are:

• To assign a unique and meaningful name and symbol to each human gene.
• To ensure that gene names and symbols are used consistently in the scientific literature.
• To provide a publicly accessible database of approved gene names and symbols.

Gene Naming Conventions

The HGNC follows specific guidelines for naming genes. These guidelines are designed to ensure that gene names are informative, concise, and unique. Some of the key principles include:

• Gene names should be based on the function of the gene or the phenotype associated with it.
• Gene symbols should be short, preferably three to five characters, and should not include punctuation or special characters.
• Gene names and symbols should be unique to avoid confusion.

Database

The HGNC maintains a comprehensive database of approved gene names and symbols. This database is freely accessible to the public and is widely used by researchers, clinicians, and other stakeholders in the field of genetics. The database includes information on gene names, symbols, aliases, and related data.

Collaboration and Outreach

The HGNC collaborates with various international organizations and research groups to ensure the consistency and accuracy of gene nomenclature. The committee also engages in outreach activities to educate the scientific community about the importance of standardized gene nomenclature.

See Also

• Human Genome Organisation
• Human Genome Project
• Gene
• Genetics
• Genomics