The research work presented at this the 2nd Workshop of the International 
Consortium on X-linked Myotubular Myopathy has clearly shown the benefits to be 
gained from a multinational research consortium with a common interest in 
identifying and cloning the MTM1 gene. The clinicians have rapid access to 
knowledge about the current state of the detailed physical map encompassing the 
disease gene, which is of particular importance when asked to carry out a 
linkage-based carrier risk assessment in such families, and the molecular 
geneticists benefit by having access to a large panel of samples from clinically 
well-documented XMTM patients, and their families, for the rapid testing of any 
new potential candidate genes. Strategies for the rapid exchange of information 
and material between members of the consortium to facilitate the cloning of the 
MTM gene were generated in the hope that the next Workshop will see the 
consortium discussing the clinical and histological implications of the 
mutations found. To this end it was decided to set up a Register, based in 
Cardiff, of all XMTM patients from whom tissue and DNA samples had been made 
available to the consortium. A decision was also made to collect samples from 
the very rare families with possible autosomal MTM for future study.