Human Gene Nomenclature
The naming of human genes is guided by the Human Genome Organisation (HUGO) Gene Nomenclature Committee ( HGNC) (https://www.genenames.org/ ), which provides unique symbols and names for every human gene. The process of gene naming is complex and follows prinicples intended to improve clarity in scientific communication. Key principles: Uniqueness: Each human gene is given a unique name and symbol (an abbreviation) to avoid confusion. The symbols are often derived from the gene's function or its original name, but they can also be named for the conditions they are associated with. Format: Gene symbols are brief, usually contain no more than five characters, and are written in italics. The letters are all capitalized if the gene is from a species other than humans; in humans, only the first letter is capitalized. Gene names, on the other hand, are written in full and in non-italic font. Descriptiveness: Whenever possible, gene names and symbols should reflect ...