SGP holds first Scientific Advisory Board meeting
"This has been an extremely exciting day, discussing cutting edge work
with an outstanding group of scientists."
Professor David Goldstein, Director, Columbia Medical Genome Center, New York
7th April 2017
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The SGP Scientific Advisory Board met for the first time to review the development of the SGP Research Programme. The purpose of the Board is to provide external monitoring, give feedback and make suggestions on priorities and the direction of the research.
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Overall the Board agreed that SGP is delivering exceptionally high quality work through a cohesive strategy that is addressing biologically and clinically relevant questions. The collaborative approach across Scotland was noted specifically, as this was working very well. There were no specific issues raised by the Board, but some recommendations were made around further collaborative opportunities which could considerably strengthen an already unique and remarkable programme of work.
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The Scientific Advisory Board comprises 6 internationally regarded genomics experts:
Professor David Goldstein (chair) - Director, Columbia Medical Genome Center, New York
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Dr Inês Barroso - Senior Group Leader in Human Genetics and Group Leader, Metabolic Diseases, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
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Professor Sian Ellard - Professor of Genomic Medicine, University of Exeter; Head of Molecular Genetics, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust; Director, South West NHS GMC
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Professor Gil McVean - Professor of Statistical Genetics, University of Oxford; Director, Oxford Big Data Institute
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Professor Bill Newman - Professor of Translational Genomic Medicine, University of Manchester; Director of Greater Manchester GMC
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Dr Serena Nik-Zainal - CRUK Advanced Clinician Scientist, Cancer, Ageing and Somatic Mutation, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
L to R: Bill Newman, Tim Aitman David Goldstein, Sian Ellard, Richard Scott, Ines Barroso, Andrew Biankin and Serena Nik-Zainal
In a busy and thought-provoking programme, the Board heard about research progress from 18 members of the SGP research team. There were also important contributions to the discussions from Genomics England, NHS Scotland service commissioning, Health Economics, AstraZeneca and a parent of two children with an undiagnosed genetic disease. The meeting was attended by the programme’s funders, the Medical Research Council and Scottish Government’s Chief Scientist Office.
