40th European Conference on Human Genetics
The 40th Annual Conference on Human Genetics (40th European Human Genetics Conference, ESHG 2008) was held in Barcelona, Spain from May 31 to June 3, 2008.
I would like to note the significant scope of the event: the number of registered participants was more than 1200 people from Europe, America, Japan, China and other regions of the world. The plenary lectures were given by the world's leading scientists.
I was surprised by the huge (more than 100) number of stands of companies working in the field of gene biotechnologies, from obtaining material, storing it to analysis on biological microchips. It is important to emphasize that a special focus of research is focused on the analysis of genetic material using expression chips and processing of the results obtained.
Expression chips allow studying the expression of thousands of genes simultaneously. Using this method, we can go through the "genotype – mRNA (expression profile) – phenotype" chain, i.e. trace the work of each of the studied genes from the beginning (primary structure – the presence of a particular SNP) through expression (mRNA level) to the enzyme (amount and functional activity of the protein).
Research using expression chips is already a common thing today, but it is very expensive, so only the world's leading research centers, laboratories, and more often whole groups of laboratories can afford it.
At the current level of development of expression chip technology, it is possible to learn the functions of genes that are not yet known, to study the influence of different genes on each other and, finally, to select drugs for certain diseases by studying the effect of drugs on expression.
In particular, one interesting work was devoted to the role of a number of genes in the metabolism of uric acid. The hall where this report was read was crowded, people were even standing in the corridor – so much is the interest of researchers in studying expression.
Particular attention was drawn to the company EuroGentest, under the auspices of the European Society of Geneticists, developing standards for genetic testing and engaged in education in this field. To date, more than 40 companies engaged in genetic testing in Europe meet the requirements adopted by this company (in Russia – only 1). In 2-3 years, EuroGentest plans to approve its standards at the international level and allow only certified companies to engage in genetic testing.
On the conference website, you can get acquainted with its program and download a collection of abstracts (pdf, 6.3 Mb).
The conference was so full of interesting reports that we had to carefully choose which seminar or which section to attend.
During the conference I was able to attend the following sections and seminars:
• Genetic analysis, study of the association of genes with diseases (Meta-analyses – disputes over the analysis of combined data)
• Genomics, technology, bioinformatics
• Identification of genes
• Clinical features of molecular genetic testing
• Genetic analysis, large-scale association studies (the main studies are conducted by Illumina)
• Gene networks
• Genetic counseling, education, service and government regulation
• Population genetics
• Research standards
My main tasks at the conference were the presentation of a poster report
"Development of new genetic methods for detecting predisposition to multifactorial diseases and human longevity based on the analysis of 14 genes" –
Development of new genetic methods for predictive testing of multifactorial diseases and maximum prolongation of the human active life (analysis of 14 genes)
and the presentation of the Eternal Youth Foundation, acquaintance with the participants in an informal setting, an offer to participate in a competition to support innovative projects conducted by our foundation.
Unfortunately, I was not able to get to know all the participants, but we are always open to cooperation and will gladly accept your applications for consideration and, if necessary, answer any questions.
Head of the Scientific and Expert Department
Portal "Eternal youth" www.vechnayamolodost.ru
04.07.2008