The Autism Genome Project (AGP)
Recent AGP publications:
16th August 2010: AGP PAPER IN HUMAN MOLECULAR GENETICS:
- 16th August 2010. Original publication in Human Molecular Genetics. Published online 16 August 2010. A genome-wide scan for common alleles affecting risk for autism. (Free to access and download).
9th June 2010: AGP PAPER IN NATURE:
Autism Speaks PRESS RELEASE
- 9th June 2010. Original publication in Nature. doi:10.1038/nature09146. Published online 09 June 2010. Functional impact of global rare copy number variation in autism spectrum disorders (Free to access and download).
For further details, press releases from other AGP sites, and international media coverage: CLICK HERE
1. Background
The AGP is a large-scale, collaborative genetics research project that aims to identify the genetic factors underlying autism.
The AGP consortium brings together researchers from over 50 centres in the USA, Europe, and Canada.
AGP members have published more than 200 peer-reviewed manuscripts on autism since 2003.
An initial AGP research project (AGP Phase 1) was completed in 2007 (see: media reports and publications).
A second AGP project (AGP Phase 2) is currently ongoing and will be finalised in 2010. Initial results were published in June 2010 (see: media reports).
Initiated by the National Alliance for Autism Research, NAAR – now Autism Speaks – the AGP is funded by international, private and public partners (see funders).
2. Investigating the genetics of autism
Autism is a complex genetic disorder.
This means that the identification of autism risk factors requires large samples of well characterised individuals, and strong scientific cooperation between clinical and laboratory researchers.
The AGP was initiated to pool resources, and clinical and scientific expertise.
The clinicians and scientists participating in the AGP embody the phenotypic, statistical, molecular, and functional expertise needed to define the genetic architecture of autism.
Above: AGP Meeting, New York, 2008
3. Acknowledgement
The AGP would like to acknowledge and thank all the individuals with autism, and their families, who have contributed to this project.
This project would not be possible without your support!
NEW!! We recommend: Books on autism for the general public