Human Genome Project leader to speak at Florida Genetics 2008

April 25, 2008

The leader of the Human Genome Project, Francis S. Collins, M.D., Ph.D., has accepted an invitation to speak at the UF Genetics Institute’s annual symposium this fall, announced Indra Vasil, Ph.D., chairman of the organizing committee for Florida Genetics 2008. Collins, a physician-geneticist, is widely known for his landmark discovery of disease genes and his leadership of the complex scientific enterprise that directed the mapping and sequencing all of the human DNA.

Collins announced a working draft of the human genome in June 2000 with President Bill Clinton and rival scientist Craig Venter at his side. A finished version of the sequence was completed in April 2003.

“In grand style, Dr. Collins will continue our tradition of bringing leading geneticists to the University of Florida for interaction with faculty and students,” said Vasil, a graduate research professor emeritus and associate director of the Genetics Institute.

Additional speakers will be announced later. The symposium is slated for Oct. 29-30 at the UF Cancer & Genetics Research Complex.