February 2022
G2MC members are invited and encouraged to actively participate in G2MC projects and initiatives by getting involved in G2MC Working Groups and Flagship Projects. Use the G2MC Get Involved form to indicate your interest in participation or to join our community if you’re not a G2MC member.
The G2MC 6th International Conference successfully concluded on October 1, 2021. The three-day virtual conference brought together 205 attendees from 45 countries who tuned in to listen to and engage with our panel of 56 speakers, which included genomic medicine leaders and experts spanning 23 countries. Continue reading for brief summaries and key takeaways from each session. You may also watch session recordings and view other conference materials on the event webpage.
G2MC is committed to fostering the growth of young investigators in the field of genomic medicine. Through the implementation of Young Investigator Forums at our international conferences and our G2MC Young Investigators Subcommittee, we hope to provide opportunities for our members to mentor and cultivate young talent in genomic medicine implementation all over the world.
Dr. Oluwafemi G. Oluwole is a Research Fellow and Academic Instructor at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, as well as a member of the G2MC Young Investigator Subcommittee. He works with a community of medical scientists interested in genomic medicine while providing expertise in molecular genetics and pharmacology. He is interested in the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, and treatment aspects of medicine, and developed his focus on genomic medicine during his postgraduate career.
The G2MC flagship project on Genomic Medicine Clinics for Rare Genetic Disorders is aimed at promoting implementation of Genomic Medicine in Low Middle Income Countries (LMICs). The partners in this project consist of 17 clinics in LMICs, the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and technical partners paid as fee-for-service contractors such as Centogene and Fabric Genomics. The project brings together clinical geneticists, genetic counsellors, genetic researchers, scientists, bioinformaticians and patients and families affected with rare genetic disorders. The project is funded by the RTW foundation, making it possible for G2MC to pilot the implementation model at 5 clinical sites in LMICs with capacity building for clinical evaluation, diagnostic decision making, clinical exome sequencing, genome data analysis, genetic diagnosis, and genetic/genomic counseling. Continue reading to learn more about the progress being made on this project and goals for 2022!
Board of Directors Leadership Change in 2022
We are pleased to announce the appointment of two new Officers on the Global Genomic Medicine Collaborative Board of Directors (BoD) in the positions of Chair and Treasurer. Effective December 31, 2021, Prof. Vajira H.W. Dissanayake assumed the role of Chair and Peter Goodhand as Treasurer of the G2MC BoD. These roles were previously filled by former G2MC President, Chair and Treasurer, Dr. Geoffrey Ginsburg, who was required to step down from his fiduciary duties with G2MC as he takes a new position with the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Geoff will remain as a co-chair of both the G2MC and the International HundredK+ Cohorts Consortium (IHCC). He will continue leadership of the G2MC with Dr. Catalina Lopez-Correa and Dr. George Patrinos, and for the IHCC, with Peter and Michele Ramsay.
Global Genomic Medicine Collaborative – Organizational Growth and Change
We are pleased to share with you the structural and branding changes happening with the Global Genomic Medicine Collaborative as a result of the organization’s growth and opportunities to expand our reach in the genomic medicine arena. These changes include the development of a “parent” organization that will retain the name Global Genomic Medicine Collaborative, with the acronym changing to GGMC. The current Global Genomic Medicine Collaborative will be renamed the Global Genomic Medicine Consortium, keeping the G2MC acronym. Continue reading to learn more about these changes.
G2MC 2021 Annual Report
We invite you to take a moment to view the G2MC 2021 Annual Report which provides an overview of our structure, goals, activities, and achievements during 2021, and our vision for 2022. A huge thank you to our members, leaders, partners, and funders who made 2021 a successful year for the organization!
Visit G2MC’s Functional Groups webpage for more information about the mission and activities of these groups and to learn how you can get involved.
Family Health History Flagship Project
The Family Health History (FHH) Flagship Project team is starting 2022 by continuing efforts on two major initiatives. The first is an FHH app pilot between healthcare providers in Nepal and the University of Michigan Medical Genetics. The second is the creation of a website form designed to collect and share FHH use cases from around the world. Continue reading to learn more about these initiatives and how you can get involved.
UDD Offering First Online Genetic Counseling Diploma Course in Chile
The University del Desarrollo is excited to offer the first online genetic counseling diploma course in Chile – filling a long-overlooked gap in healthcare in Chile and Latin America. The diploma will provide basic skills in genetics and genetic counseling to health care professionals. The online diploma course starts on the April 12 and applications are now being accepted.
Duke CAPGM Monthly Webinar Series
Tune in to the Duke Center for Applied Genomics & Precision Medicine (CAPGM) monthly webinar series taking place the 2nd and 4th Thursday of each month from 12 – 1 p.m. EST on Zoom. The webinars are free to attend but registration is required. Click below to learn more and register for upcoming talks.
University of Colombo Introduces Training Program in Clinical Genetics for Non-Geneticist Medical Professionals
With a view to improving the genomic literacy among non-geneticist medical professionals in Sri Lanka, the Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo, introduced a 3-month hybrid training course on the clinical applications of genetics and genomics in healthcare, in January 2021. This three-month course aims to provide an in-depth understanding and knowledge of the core concepts in clinical genetics and genomics and their applications in medicine and healthcare.
IHCC Monthly Educational Webinar Series
The International Hundred K+ Cohorts Consortium (IHCC) is continuing its Educational Webinar Series in 2022 with an excellent lineup of speakers and talks! This online series provide a collaborative platform for IHCC member cohorts to exchange scientific ideas, success stories, lessons learned, funding opportunities, and more. Visit the IHCC website to learn more and register for upcoming talks.
Interested in becoming a member of G2MC? Our community is comprised of health professionals, scientists, and policy makers in over 35 countries. We collaborate to demonstrate the value and the effective use of genomics in medicine. Join us to share and learn best practices.
