December 23 - Several genome-wide studies of human genetic diversity have been conducted on European populations. Now, for the first time, over 90 scientists from the Human Genome Organisation’s (HUGO’s) Pan-Asian SNP Consortium have extended this study to 73 Southeast Asian (SEA) and East Asian (EA) populations. This human genetic mapping of Asia has important implications, especially in the further understanding of migratory patterns in human history, and for the study of genetics and diseases. The findings were published online in a report in Science on 10 December 2009.

The Malaysian consortium is funded by MOSTI & MOHE (FRGS). The Malaysian scientists are from Monash University (Sunway Campus) - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maude E. Phipps (PI), Universiti Sains Malaysia - Assoc. Prof. Dr. Zilfalil Alwi (PI), Dr. BP Hoh (UiTM, 2009), En. Md Ros Sidek and University of Malaya – Assoc. Prof. Mahmood Ameen, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Juli Edo, En. Tim Jinam (NIG,2009).

The online version of the article can be found at http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/326/5959/1541