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Chair of Pathology

The Department of Pathology of The University of Hong Kong wishes to appoint a Chair of Pathology, available from September 1, 2001, or as soon as possible thereafter. He/she should be medically or scientifically qualified, with evidence of specialization and productivity in areas of anatomical/molecular pathology, hematology, immunology, or clinical chemistry; the Department's main focus is in oncology. The Department is well-equipped and the University offers a generous employment package. Informal inquiries in the first instance to Dr. David Higgins, Department of Pathology, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, Phone: +852 2855 4872; Fax: +852 2819 3859; Email:dhiggins@hku.hk.

Clinical Geneticist

The section of medical genetics in the Center for Complex Diseases at Children's National Medical Center is recruiting a full-time BC/BE clinical geneticist. Academic appointment in the Department of Pediatrics at The George Washington University School of Medicine will be at the assistant or associate professor level commensurate with experience. The successful candidate will have broad experience in clinical dysmorphology. Clinical research opportunities are available through an NIH-sponsored pediatric clinical research center. Inquiries, including curriculum vitae and three letters of reference, should be addressed to Cynthia J. Tifft, MD, PhD, Chair, Genetics, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Center for Complex Diseases, Children's National Medical Center, 111 Michigan Ave. N.W., Washington, DC 20010-2970.

Announcements

Notice from Brad Popovich, Vice President for Laboratory Genetics, regarding changes to the ACMG Standards and Guidelines for the detection of organic acids:

The analysis of organic acids in urine is a commonly ordered clinical test used to assist in the diagnosis of a wide diversity of both genetic and nongenetic conditions. The ACMG Standards and Guidelines for the detection of organic acids have been under review by a specially formed Work Group of the ACMG Lab Practice Committee in cooperation with the ACMG/CAP Biochemical and Molecular Genetic Resource Committee. Members of the Organic Acid Detection Work Group include Drs. Steve Goodman, Bill Nyhan, Piero Rinaldo, Mike Gibson, and Bob Grier. This group has revised the Standards and Guidelines for proper detection, quantification, and interpretation of organic acid profiles. We encourage all members, and particularly biochemical genetic lab personnel, to review the amended guidelines.

Annual Education Conference and Short Course

20th Annual Education Conference Current Advances—Anticipating Change November 4–7, 2001

Statement of Purpose: The much anticipated completion of the Human Genome Project promises to dramatically alter our understanding of disease etiologies, processes, and consequences. Genetic counselors can anticipate that new directions will impact changes in roles, patient care, education, legislation, and research while creating interesting ethical dilemmas. This conference will provide learning opportunities that address these recent and anticipated advances in genetics and prepare the genetic counseling for what has yet to be discovered. The conference will provide learning opportunities in didactic lectures, workshops, practice-based symposia, and, newly incorporated into the program, mini-courses (intensive, 4-hour learning experiences that allow for greater depth into select topics).

Short Course 2001 Counseling and Management of Metabolic Disorders November 7–8, 2001

This conference will provide a comprehensive review of a variety of inborn errors of metabolism, such as the leu-kodystrophies, fatty acid oxidation disorders, peroxisomal disorders, lysosomal diseases, organic acidurias, and amino acidemias. An emphasis will be placed on understanding the status of current biochemical and molecular testing options for diagnosing these conditions. Recent advances and protocols for testing during pregnancy, the newborn period and post-mortem screening and medical management and treatment for these conditions will be covered as well as counseling strategies aimed at assisting families in coping with the medical implications and psychological impact of metabolic diseases.

Sponsored by the National Society of Genetics Counselors

Contact: Audrey Lombard, NSGC Executive Office, 233 Canterbury Drive, Wallingord, PA 19086-6617, Phone: 612-872-7608; Fax: 610-565-6220; Website:http://www.nsgc.org/educationalprograms.asp.

Meeting Site: Hyatt Regency Washington on Capital Hill, Washington, DC.