Vancouver (April 11, 2003): Led by Dr. Steve Scherer, Dr. Johanna Rommens, and Dr. Lap-Chee Tsui, an international team of researchers has deciphered human chromosome 7. The 'Chromosome 7 Annotation Project' involved 90 scientists from 10 countries and their report was published in the April 11 issue of Science. Dr. Scherer, Dr. Rommens, and Dr. Tsui are members of the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network.

The study revealed that chromosome 7 contains 1,455 genes, some of which cause diseases such as cystic fibrosis, colour blindness, autism, heart disease and cancer. This roughly accounts for 5% of the estimated 28,000 genes contained within the human genome. Further data on the project is available online at www.chr7.org.

Dr. Ron Woznow, CEO of the Canadian Genetic Diseases Network, remarked, "This is an important achievement that will further our understanding of genes and human health. More importantly, it will facilitate the development of diagnostic tests and innovative treatments for human diseases linked to chromosome 7."

The Canadian Genetic Diseases Network is a non-profit organization and a member of the Networks of Centres of Excellence Program. Its mission is to be the primary catalyst in advancing Canada's scientific and commercial competitiveness in genetic research and the application of genetic discoveries to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of human disease.