On Sept. 15, 1990, The Human Gene Mapping database was established at Johns Hopkins University. The database provides a continuous online environment for data perusal and editing and is used as the informatics core for running the human gene mapping workshops.

Current development was primarily concentrated on extending the types of map object, means of defining map location, map storage and representation. Experimental data structures were created that permit storage of any type of map information, physical or genetic.

Editor Note: On Jan. 28, 1998, Buffeted by the shifting winds of human genome research, government officials announced they have decided to close an 8-year-old collection of human gene maps maintained by Johns Hopkins University.