Welcome to PHGEN II

This is the official website of the 2nd phase of the Public Health Genomics European Network (PHGEN) project, more specifically known as PHGEN II. All information regarding the work, activities and research of PHGEN II can be found on this website. For further information, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Public Health Genomics

Modern research in genetics and molecular biology offers new opportunities for the promotion of population health. Public Health Genomics (PHG) is the responsible and effective integration of genome-based knowledge and technologies into public policy and into health services for the benefit of population health.

 

Public Health Genomics European Network (PHGEN)

The Public Health Genomics European Network (PHGEN) is a cornerstone in the development of Publich Health Genomics in Europe. PHGEN is coordinated from the European Centre for Public Health Genomics (ECPHG) at Maastricht University in The Netherlands. It operates with several sister institutions in Europe including GENAR from Turkey as the first partner in the network. PHGEN is funded by the General Directorate for Health and Consumer Protection (DG SANCO) under the Health Programme. After successful evaluaton of PHGEN I, PHGEN now moves to the second funding period (PHGEN II) from April 2009 till March 2012.

PHGEN II produces the first edition of "European Best Practice Guidelines for Quality Assurance, Provision and Use of Genome-based Information and Technologies". The guidelines assist Member States, Applicant and EFTA-EEA countries with evidence-based guidance on timely and responsible integration of population health. Since genetic determinants are hardly recognized as playing a key role in understanding diseases and target-oriented prevention, ongoing exchange of knowledge and best practice in this rapid growing field is needed. The project uses an interdisciplinary approach and reviews the available evidence including evidence emerging from relevant European research and health action networks to avoid duplication of EU work and funding and to develop agreed on best practice guidelines. Key experts such as Public Health experts, EU lawyers, Human Geneticists, Ethicists, System Biologists, HTA experts and patient groups are involved in PHGEN II. Expertise from networks like EuroGentest, EUnetHTA, NUGO is provided by the project consortium to assess existing guidelines, identify gaps and set up a coherent, evidence-based framework fro quality assurance, provision and use of genome-based information and technologies.

PHGEN II is a follow-up of PHGEN I (DG SANCO 2006-2008). Whereas PHGEN I identified the need for European best practice guidelines ("mapping  exercise"), PHGEN II systematically builds on the work of PHGEN I by developing these guidelines. It uses the concept of "genome-based information and technologies" (Bellagio-Model) which PHGEN I established as a scientific benchmark in Europe. While protecting human rights, equity in healthcare and solidarity amongst citizens, it meets the Lisbon Agenda objectives and values of the Health Strategy. In the long run, the best practice guidelines will highly contribute to the reduction of the burden of disease in Europe.

Image European Commission

PHGEN II project is supported by a grant from the European Commission
Duration period: April, 2009 - March 2012
EU-Project No. 20081302

EU project run by: 

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PHGEN I ended in March 2009. PHGEN II continues at Maastricht University and is led by Prof. Dr. Angela Brand

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European Commission launches public consultation on IVD medical devices

The European Commission has launched a public consultation process which aims to provide the Commission with input for the recast of the Directive on In Vitro Diagnostics (IVD). One focus area of the public consultation is the field of genetic tests. In particular direct to consumer services have raised concerns amongst lay people and policy makers. Many of these services currently seem to profit from the "in-house" exemptions of Art 1 (5) of the Directive. The consultation process may lead to a stronger separation between genetic tests and other medical devices whereas the life sciences increasingly advocate for an integration of genome-based information and other medical information. Policies directed towards direct to consumer services could potentially have negative side effects on other genome-based services and Public Health. The DG SANCO has provided more information on the public consultation on its website. The deadline is September 15th 2010. Further information can be found here.

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First PHGEN II Consortium Meeting

The 1st PHGEN II Consortium Meeting was held successfully from 15th to 16th April 2010 in Como, Italy. Details of the meeting be found here.

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Expert Workshop held: data protection issues in biobanking

On Jan. 28th, the Public Health Genomics European Network hosted together with the Institute for Prospective Technology Studies (JRC-IPTS) and the BBMRI project an expert workshop in Sevilla / Spain which addressed data protection issues in biobanking. The workshop addressed domains related to data protection, legal regulations for samples and the role of ethics committees. Experts from academia, industry and the European Commission shared their views and discussed the future of biobanking in Europe. Data protection and the protection of privacy have been highlighted as key elements which secure the trust of citizens in this process. More information and a summary of the meeting will become available soon. The JRC-IPTS will also publish a report in the next weeks which demonstrates different options for future collaborations in European biobanking.

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Press Notification

With a heavy heart we want to inform that Professor Leena Peltonen-Palotie, MD, PhD, Head of Human Genetics at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute passed away on 11 March 2010 at her home in Finland. She had been one of the founders of P3G and also had been partner in PHGEN I. She always supported our work. Condolences to her near and dear ones. Further information can be found from here. 

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WP5 Kick-off Meeting

Work Package 5 of PHGEN II met on 22nd December 2009. The minutes of that meeting can be found here.

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Kick-off Meeting PHGEN II

The first kick-off meeting of PHGEN II was held on 28-29 September 2009 at the Hilton Hotel Luxembourg. Details of the meeting can be found here.

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APOGEE-Net/CanGèneTest network fellowships
is offering several training fellowships:

- to students at the master (2 years), doctoral (3 years), or postdoctoral
(2 years) levels; additional information can be found here.

- and also one year training fellowships to students already enrolled at the master, doctorate, or post-doctorate. Additional information can be found here.

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Publications

Public Health Genomics Journal
(Journal published in collaboration with GRaPH-Int)
For more details please visit http://www.karger.com/phg

PHGEN II is currently also developing a Wiki. This can be accessed here. 

PHGEN II is coordinated by the European centre for Public Health Genomics (ECPHG) at Maastricht University. More information on ECPHG can be found here.

Up coming Events

The 2nd Consortium Meeting of PHGEN II will take place from 14-15 October 2010 in Seville, Spain. Partners are requested to confirm their participation as soon as possible. Further information will follow soon.