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HPP: Human Pangenome (reference) Project

The Human Pangenome Project (HPP; or also known as PGP) is an effort funded and led by the USAs NHGRI to develop a more comprehensive and complete model of the human genome across all people. One of the major, early result subprojects that has developed the technology for this effort is the Telomere to Telomere project co-led at UCSC.

PGP stands for PanGenome Project and is not to be confused with the Harvard University initiated Personal Genome Project which is simply a public collection spot for personal / consumer DNA test results. Likely due to this confusion, PGP is rarely used for this project now.

Sometime in 2022, the group more formally organized into the Human Pangenome Reference Consortium. Although running in parallel, this is really the follow-on and active work of the previous GRCh. Much like the 1kGenome project brought about a great improvement and polishing of the human genome from the initial HGP that ended in 2003, the HPRC is taking the banner to build a graph-based (non-linear) model of the human genome that can incorporate the true genetic diversity found stable and worldwide. As a result, HPP is no longer used and everyone simply refers to HPRC.

This technology and approach, spear-headed by the above named projects, has been expanded elsewhere. Most notably, a Chinese Pangenome Project (CPC) that studies the unique variations within that ancient community. While HPRC truly tries to be all encompassing, more detailed studies on some more isolated ancient populations like in Asia and Africa is warranted.

External Resources