[The National Genome Research Network. Genome research in Germany]

In 2001 Germany's Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMFM) initiated the National Genome Research Network (NGFN). The goals of the NGFN are the investigation of the molecular basis of common diseases to improve new methods for prevention, diagnosis and therapy. The disease-oriented genome networks investigate cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diseases of the nervous system, diseases due to environmental factors and infection, and inflammation. They are supported by technological platforms and a component for technology transfer. The explicit aims include better integration of public health research and economy in order to gain an efficient economical and technological utilisation and application in community health. This article describes the creation of the NGFN in the context of international and national genome research, shows the structure and content of the NGFN and gives examples for NGFN research in networks on a highly, internationally recognised level.