8th International HUGO-Mutation Database Initiative Meeting, April 9, 2000, Vancouver, Canada

The 8th International HUGO-Mutation Database Initiative Meeting was held on April 9, 2000, in Vancouver, Canada. Meeting highlights are here described. The discussion predominantly revolved around the concept of a central mutation database, which would serve as a repository of gene sequence variants for the community. Specifications for such a central database were prepared and presented by a working group including bioinformatics experts, LSDB operators, central database operators, and an industry representative. Refinement of the specifications and consideration of the implementation of such a database was conducted through a consortium of public and private collaborators and funding. Members were urged to generate broad community support for the project.