GENE X ENVIRONMENT INTERACTION WORKSHOP IN UMEÅ

 

 

Many common diseases including some cancers, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease almost certainly result from the complex interplay of adverse lifestyle exposures and genetic predisposition. These diseases also share aspects of their etiology and pathophysiology. Accordingly, genetic information might one day facilitate personalize medical interventions for disease prevention, thus minimizing treatment costs, reducing patient exposure to ineffective therapies, and improving patient motivation and treatment outcomes. The Umeå workshop on gene x environment interactions will bring together numerous cutting-edge researchers engaged in gene x environment interaction studies who will share their knowledge and expertise through formal lectures and question and answer sessions. The main aims of the workshop are to i) briefly overview the principles of gene x environment interactions; ii) define common approaches used to discover genetic risk factors and gene x lifestyle interactions; iii) provide relevant examples of gene x lifestyle interactions; and iv) speculate on the application of genetics to the prediction, prevention and treatment of complex diseases. We will also discuss some of the methods and approaches that are likely to dominate this area of research in the future. Participants in the workshop should have a basic understanding of population genetics research and/or of epidemiological methods for complex trait research. We anticipate that the audience will include people with varying degrees of prior exposure to gene x environment interaction research. Our objective is to introduce people who are new to this area to the basic principles of gene x environment interaction research, whilst giving those who are more experienced the opportunity to develop their ideas and critical thinking through structured and unstructured discussion sessions with the panel of speakers. Umeå is situated on the east cost of Northern Sweden, with easy access to numerous downhill and cross-country ski centers that participants in the workshop may wish to take advantage of when visiting Umeå. Details of the workshop program can be viewed here

Paul W. Franks, PhD, Professor of Genetic Epidemiology

Lund University, Sweden

e-mail: Paul.Franks@med.lu.se

 

Beatrice Melin, Professor

Dept of Radiation Sciences, Oncology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden

e-mail: beatrice.melin@onkologi.umu.se

 

Language English

Number of Participants 30

Form of Symposium Lectures and discussions

Fee 2.000 SEK

The registration fee includes coffee, lunches and dinner

February 16th and 17th

Registration e-mail to Monica Sandström

 

Registration: Before February 1, 2011 at www.cancerakademin.se