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.
PHGEN II project is supported by a grant from the European Commission
Duration period: 1 June 2009 - 30 May 2012
EU-Project No. 20081302
EU project run by:
+++ NEWS ++ ACTIVITIES +++
PHGEN I ended in March 2009. PHGEN II continues at Maastricht University and is led by Prof. Dr. Angela Brand
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The 4th Consortium Meeting of PHGEN II was held from 22-23 September 2011 in Leuven, Belgium. Further details of the meeting can be found here.
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The 2nd Steering Committee Meeting of PHGEN II was held on Friday 1 July 2011 in Luxembourg. Details of the meeting can be found here.
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The Maastricht Molecular Epidemiology Expertise group (M2E2) is offering a challenging five days course (23-27 April 2012) to grasp the essentials of molecular epidemiology. The course brings together the different fields of expertise involved in molecular epidemiological research in a comprehensive and integrated manner. Participants will be confronted with issues ranging from study design to statistical analysis, and interpretation of findings in the context of public health. Focus lies especially on methodological issue, with a variety of disease settings as illustration.
The audience targeted is PhD students and postdoctoral fellows from epidemiology, biology, medicine, statistics, and related fields, as well as at those working in public health, who want to become acquainted with this expanding research area.
For more information and registration please have a look at the website and enclosed flyer.
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ITFoM is one of six pilot projects in the European Future and Emerging Technologies Flagship scheme. These projects are vying for €1 billion funding from both the European Commission, Member States and other sources over ten years in order to generate a scientific revolution. Further information can be found from here.
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Old information and news of PHGEN II can be found in the Archives here.
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Publications
Public Health Genomics Journal
(Journal published in collaboration with GRaPH-Int)
'Public Health Genomics' is the first peer-reviewed international journal to focus on the translation of genome-based knowledge and technologies into public policy, disease prevention and the improvement of population health. It is a multidisciplinary bi-monthly forum containing conceptual and original research articles, editorials, reviews, short communications, country reports, case studies, viewpoints, news and various other features about the nature of public health genomics and related concepts.
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 Institute for Public Health Genomics (IPHG) at Maastricht University. The publication list contributed by partners of PHGEN II can be found here.
The IPHG coordinated the bachelor's program Public Health Genomics. The output of the successful course was a report made by the students with supervision from their supervisors. The report can be found here.
Up coming Events
The 3rd Steering Committee Meeting of PHGEN II will take place on 23rd February 2012 in Maastricht, The Netherlands. Details will be forwarded to the aforementioned committee.
The final PHGEN II meeting (endorsement panel meeting) will take place on 19-20 April 2012 in Rome, Italy. Further information will follow in due time.