The EJHG publishes short announcements (free of charge for ESHG members) regarding meetings in Europe, positions available and other annoucements of interest to the Human Genetics community in Europe

European School of Medical Genetics 9th Course

March 24–31, 1996, Sestri Levante, Genoa, Italy

Directors: Prof. V.A. McKusick (Baltimore), Prof. G. Romeo (Genoa and Lyon).

Faculty members: A. Aguzzi, S. Antonarakis, S. Aymé, A. Ballabio, F. Clerget-Darpoux, M. Devoto, D. Donnai, I. Hansmann, P. Kleihues, S. Leal, D. Ledbetter, V.A. McKusick, A. Monaco, B. Müller, J. Ott, B. Pasini, L. Peltonen, M. Pembrey, M. Pierotti, G. Romeo, A. Schinzel, H. Sobol, G Sutherland, G.-J.B. van Ommen, R. Winter.

Topics: Introduction to molecular and formal genetic analysis in humans, genetic analysis of complex traits, from chromosome to genes, molecular genetics I, molecular genetics II, introduction to clinical genetics, cancer genetics.

Format: Morning lectures, afternoon workshops in groups of 1520 students.

Venue: Grand Hotel dei Castelli, Sestri Levante (Genoa).

Accommodation: Half board and lodging cost per day per person 77,000-87,000-107,000 lire, depending on the room.

Registration fee: 495,000 lire covering lunches, coffee and tea breaks, welcome party, excursion, certificate of attendance.

Oral presentation If you wish to present a short paper on your research you can attach it to your letter.

Applications: Send by regular mail a short CV, a brief description of your research interests (please underline about 10 key words), a letter of recommendation, and a certificate of your fluency in English to:

Ms. Paola Quattrone

Laboratory of Molecular Genetics

Istituto G. Gaslini

Largo G. Gaslini, 5

I-16148 Genova (Italy)

Tel: +39-10-5636-400/370

Fax:+39-10-3779797

E-mail: genetica@igecuniv.cisi.unige.it

European Workshop on Organization of Networks for Genetic Counselling and Molecular Diagnostic of Cancer Syndromes

March 31, 1996, Sestri Levante, Genoa, Italy

Scientific Committee: P. Kleihues (IARC Director, Lyon), D. Maraninchi (IPC Director, Marseille), F. Rilke (INT Scientific Director, Milan).

Organizing Committee: B. Pasini (INT, Milan), H. Sobol (IPC, Marseille).

Faculty members: D. Birnbaum, B. Bressac de Paillerets, A. Cama, F. Di Stefano, F. Eisinger, G. Guanti, P. Kleihues, C. Lasset, D. Maraninchi, M. Pierotti, F. Rilke, H. Sobol, L. Varesco.

Topics: Introduction and Opening Remarks, Development of Integrated Cancer Genetic Clinics: Organization, Clinical Issues and Legal Aspects, ‘Familial Breast Cancer’ Network, ‘Familial Colon Cancer’ Network (AIRC Special Project), Molecular Aspects of Cowden Disease.

Fee: It. Lire 50,000 covering registration fee, abstract book, lunch, coffee breaks, certificate of attendance.

Venue: Grand Hotel dei Castelli, Sestri Levante (a seaside resort 40 km from Genoa).

Language: English.

Applications: Applications will be accepted until the workshop is full. For further details please contact:

Ms. Paola Quattrone

Laboratory of Molecular Genetics

Istituto G. Gaslini

Largo G. Gaslini, 5

I-16148 Genova (Italy)

Tel.: +39-10-5636-400/370

Fax.: +39-10-3779797

E-mail: genetica@igecuniv.cisi.unige.it

First European Workshop on Quality Assessment and Quality Assurance in Molecular Genetics

A Satellite Meeting to the European Society of Human Genetics Institute of Education, London, UK, April 10, 1996

Organised by the UK Clinical Molecular Genetics Society (CMGS) and the Concerted Action for Genetic Services in Europe (CAGSE)

Molecular genetic laboratory services are growing in both the number of European centres offering testing and the range of tests that can be performed. It is not surprising that there is a great deal of interest in maintaining the confidence of the public in the quality and consistency of these services. One method to improve standards is to introduce Internal Quality Assurance through training, education, and agreed ‘best practice’ guidelines. A second way to raise, equalise and maintain standards is to introduce external checks on the accuracy of molecular genetic testing; this is External Quality Assessment (EQA).

In the UK EQA has been developing in the last 4–5 years. It was started by the UK Clinical Molecular Genetic Society but is now an independent scheme funded as a pilot by the UK Department of Health. Internal QA is promoted through disease or technique specific ‘best practice’ meetings organised by the CMGS.

In brief, the EQA scheme involves the distribution of sufficient DNA samples to form a clinical referral — for instance a CF affected child plus parents to test for informativeness for a future prenatal diagnosis. The laboratory is asked to test the samples, interpret the results and return a report to the organisers. The reports are marked for accuracy of genotyping, correct interpretation of data and key points to include in the clinical report. Eight disorders are included in the current scheme: CF, DMD, FraX, Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome, myotonic dystrophy, HD, FAP and SMA.

This year the Dutch molecular genetics laboratories participated in the scheme which naturally raised questions on the requirements for schemes in Europe. Accordingly, the UK CMGS and CAGSE are organising a half-day workshop principally on External Quality Assessment but including aspects of Internal Quality Assurance. The workshop will be linked to the European Society of Human Genetics Meeting in London on the afternoon of Wednesday April 10, 1996.

The proposed main aims of the workshop are to define the diagnostic activities appropriate for EQA, assess whether there is a need for schemes, present the structure of current systems and discuss the problems foreseen in developing further schemes in the European Union.

Depending on the outcome of the discussion, the workshop may appoint a small working party to produce a document in 4–6 months outlining the current status of Internal and External QA in this area, the current and future requirements for I/EQA including costings and proposing a mechanism to encourage co-ordinated but probably nationally based schemes. The document may be the basis for an application to the EU for funding to draw together and extend the various current pilot initiatives in I/EQA.

CAGSE has a limited budget to fund travel to the workshop. Delegates will be invited by CAGSE to ensure as far as possible an equal representation of EU countries and to ensure that key interests are represented. To register for the workshop please return the questionnaire and the attached form before Friday 19th January 1996. To apply for financial support to attend the workshop, in addition to the registration form, return the separate form together with a brief CV and a letter of recommendation (in English) from a senior Molecular Geneticist in your country. Applications for support from within the UK will not be considered.

The workshop will be conducted in the English Language.

Organising group: CAGSE, Prof. Rodney Harris, CMGS, Roger Mountford, Su Stenhouse, Rob Elles, Graham Taylor.

Further information:

http://www.informatik.uni.rostock.de/HUM-MOLGEN/

or

HUM-MOLGEN@HEARN.NIC.SURFNET.NL.

First International Conference on Haploinsufficiency Diseases

June 26–29, 1996, Lac d’Annecy, France

The conference will cover those aspects of human genetics relevant to disorders caused by a reduced gene dosage. These will include novel gene identification strategies, advances in the molecular understanding of single-gene diseases and contiguous gene syndromes and the definition of animal models. Particular emphasis will be placed upon genes involved in both developmental abnormalities and tumor predisposition. Plenary sessions will include invited talks and contributions selected from submitted abstracts. Attendance being limited, participants are requested to propose a contribution and provide a complete CV.

Confirmed Speakers: Siew-Lan Ang, Strasbourg, France; Andrea Ballabio, Milan, Italy; Marc Billaud, Lyon, France; Jean-Michel Claverie, Marseille, France; Beverly Emanuel, Philadelphia, Pa., USA; Michel Fontes, Marseille, France; Peter Goodfellow, Cambridge, UK; David Ledbetter, Bethesda, Md., USA; Stanislas Lyonnet, Paris, France; Vassilis Pachnis, London, UK; Bruce Ponder, Cambridge, UK; Anne-Marie Poustka, Heidelberg, Germany; Andrew Read, Manchester, UK; Veronica van Heyningen, Edinburgh, UK.

Scientific Committee: Alain Aurias, Paris, France; Bernhard Horsthemke, Essen, Germany; Marc Lipinski, Villejuif, France; Peter Scambler, London, UK.

Information:

Marc Lipinski

CNRS URA 1156

Institut Gustave Roussy

F-94805 Villejuif Cedex (France)

Fax: 33 1 45 59 64 94

E-mail: lipinski@citl2.fr

5th Annual Meeting of the International Genetic Epidemiology Society

August 16–18, 1996

This meeting will be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in conjunction with the 9th International Congress of Human Genetics. Abstracts for consideration of oral presentations or posters will be due March 1, 1996. For abstract forms, please contact the

Center for Continuing Education

Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons

New York, NY 10032 (USA)

Telephone (212) 781–5990

Fax (212) 781–6047

For program information, please contact

Ruth Ottman, PhD

Columbia University

New York, NY 10032 (USA)

Telephone (212) 305–9188

Fax (212) 305–2426