The NHGRI has appointed Alan Guttmacher as its second deputy director, replacing Elke Jordan, who announced her plans for retirement last spring. Guttmacher joined NHGRI in 1999 as the senior clinical advisor to the director and will retain that title until a replacement is found. In the role of deputy director, Guttmacher will help integrate genomics into medical practice, support development of new research tools to translate the findings of the Human Genome Project into diagnostic tests and therapies, and will oversee strategic planning for the institute. Gutt-macher is also the acting director of the NHGRI Office of Policy, Planning and Communications.