The Autism Genome Project (AGP)
New! Papers acknowledging the AGP
- July 2011. "Identification of Genetic Loci Underlying the Phenotypic Constructs of Autism Spectrum Disorders". Xiao-Qing Liu et al. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Vol. 50 No. 7 (Fee to download).
- 27th April 2011: "Gene-ontology enrichment analysis in two independent family-based samples highlights biologically plausible processes for autism spectrum disorders". European Journal of Human Genetics. Ric Anney et al. (Free to access and download).
Main recent AGP publications:
- 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. 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).
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 - was initiated in 2007 and finalised in 2010. Initial results were published in June and August 2010 (see: recent news). Further publications detailing the final Phase 2 results are under preparation and are expected to be published in 2011.
In 2011 funding has been obtained for the continuation of AGP core functions only. Funding is currently being sought for further autism studies, as part of a third AGP project - AGP Phase 3.
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