NOTE: STATUS CHANGE ON AN EXISTING NEWSGROUP - UNMODERATED TO MODERATED.

Information for DIAGNOSTICS/bionet.diagnostics (moderated)

USENET newsgroup name:  bionet.diagnostics

Status:                 moderated

One line Description:   Problems and techniques in all fields of diagnostics

Moderation address:     bionet-diagnostics@net.bio.net
                        (diagnost-moderator@net.bio.net
                         is an alias for
                         bionet-diagnostics@net.bio.net)

Moderators:             Kevin O'Donnell
                        Robert Burns

Mailing list name:      DIAGNOSTICS

Email address:          diagnost@net.bio.net

Newsgroup Charter:

The DIAGNOSTICS newsgroup (bionet.diagnostics) is a forum for
discussion of problems and techniques (primarily serological or
nucleic acid-based) involved in all fields of diagnostics.  Subjects
for discussion and comment include methodology, automation, quality
assurance and other subjects of interest and concern to those
developing and/or using diagnostic tests.

Justification

Despite the large number of scientists involved in diagnostics, there
was no newsgroup devoted to this subject.  The DIAGNOSTICS newsgroup
was set up to fill this gap.  The newsgroup has included postings on
the detection and identification of diseases, pathogens (animal and
plant) and also diagnostic functions which do not fit into either
category.  This composition has helped to establish common ground (and
therefore intellectual and methodological cross-fertilization) between
people and laboratories.  For example, the problems facing scientists
developing PCR assays for Listeria are similar to those facing
scientists developing PCR assays for bacterial soft rots in plants.

Within the various disciplines there are common problems regarding
methods, immunogens, cross-reactivity, automation, materials, quality
assurance and other issues that are not recognized by those using
similar techniques for other purposes.

The DIAGNOSTICS newsgroup will address and help solve these problems
by providing a forum for their discussion between individuals of
various experience and disciplines.

Moderation Policy: Mass-posted commercial messages, chain letters, and
similar postings not relevant to diagnostics will be deleted without
comment. Inappropriate messages posted in good faith (for example,
diagnostics-related posts which violate the BIOSCI restrictions on
commercial activity) will be returned to the sender with explanatory
comments.

Moderators:

Kevin O'Donnell odonnell@sasa.gov.uk
Robert Burns burns@sasa.gov.uk