What does DGEMap do?
The DGEMap project finished in July 2009 but activities are continuing via the Human Developmental Studies Network (HUDSEN). Please visit the HUDSEN website with links to the electronic atlas of the developing human brain and human spatial gene expression database for the latest resources and information. These web pages have been left up as a record only.
DGEMap is designing a research service based on 8 years of experience of collecting, storing and processing human developmental material with The MRC-Wellcome Trust Human Developmental Biology Resource (HDBR) and pioneering studies of gene expression in early human development. Users' projects focus on expression analyses of key developmental and disease-related genes.
To tackle the problems faced by scientists working to understand human development and key mechanisms underlying human diseases, DGEMap is arranged into four complementary and multidisciplinary activities:
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The lab-based technology study
We are evaluating lab technologies for carrying out large-scale and systematic gene expression studies and characterising expression patterns with potential as standard markers for organ and/or stage of development.
Leader: Demetrius Vouyiouklis
Team members: Alina Andras, Casto Ramos and Mark Scott
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The computer-based technology study
Our team of software engineers and computer scientists based both in Edinburgh (NeSC and MRC HG unit) and Newcastle, will provide the tool-kit enabling processing of the sample, visualisation of the results, mapping of the data and public availability via grid-based technology as well as linking different resources together.
Leaders: Malcolm Atkinson & Richard Baldock
Team members: Jano van Hemert, Adam Barker, Yin Chen and Xunxian Wang
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The ethics study
A pan-European infrastructure dedicated to the analysis of human development implies that International regulations and legislation on the use of human embryo are identified, evaluated and that appropriate procedure are put in place to enable this activity to take place. In close collaboration with PEALS (Policy, Ethics and Life Sciences), the Ethics Study is evaluating the status of regulations and legislation on the use of human developmental material and is surveying professional standards.
Leader: Simon Woods
Team member: Ken Taylor
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The feasibility study
We want to define the nature and scope of a future research infrastructure (RI) in a feasibility study. This is where potential users are listened to and their needs assessed, so that we may suggest an appropriate structure and organisation for the RI, responding to those needs.
At the same time we are conducting a funding study where we want to assess all the sources and types of funding likely to enable the RI to take shape in the near future and deliver an efficient service to the scientific community.
Leader: Marie-Laure Muiras
Team member: Charmaine George