G2MC Newsletter

November 2024

In this edition

  • Message from the President & CEO
  • Featured Early Career Investigator: Dr. Olfa Messaoud Ezzeddine, Tunisia
  • G2MC 8th International Conference: Postponing to Later Dates
  • Organizational Updates and Announcements
  • Functional Group Updates
  • Other Genomic Medicine News and Events

Know of potential funding sources or opportunities? 

Message from the President & CEO

Dear G2MC Community,

As the year is drawing to a close we reflect on the many challenges and changes we have experienced both individually and collectively in 2024. I want to take this moment, however, to consider what we have to look forward to in 2025.

After a very successful IHCC conference in Singapore a few months ago, the GGMC board of directors met. Inspiration came that we should bring the two consortia, G2MC and IHCC, closer together in areas where both groups could share and benefit. A new GGMC theme of “Cohorts to Clinics” emerged.

To make this theme a reality, and to reinvigorate the organization and its global contributors (I’m talking about you), we have created a new membership initiative. We are building an online member portal where we gather information to learn how we can support you, and then offer several membership benefits such as a resource center and project support program. More details of this initiative are coming soon.

Next year we will offer new approaches to how we work together. We will organize ourselves to support member projects and develop new partnerships. We plan to grow our membership in every country and motivate old and new members to more meaningful activities. We are thankful for your efforts on our behalf, and look forward to a more abundant new year.

Sincerely,
Grant Wood, GGMC President & CEO

Featured Early Career Investigator (ECI)

G2MC is committed to fostering the growth of Early Career Investigators (ECIs) in the field of genomic medicine through mentorship, involvement in G2MC initiatives, and dedicated ECI forums at our international conferences.

Dr-Olfa-Messaoud-Ezzeddine

Dr. Olfa Messaoud Ezzeddine, Tunisia

Dr. Olfa Messaoud Ezzeddine is a researcher at the Institut Pasteur de Tunis in Tunisia, who has dedicated her career to understanding the genetic basis of rare diseases. Her work focuses on identifying the genes responsible for these conditions and translating those findings into better care for patients and families. Dr. Ezzeddine’s commitment to improving patient health has led her to collaborate with researchers across disciplines, from physics to archaeology, and to engage with patient support groups. She is also a strong advocate for women in science, highlighting the challenges they face in her research and publications.

G2MC 8th International Conference

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G2MC 8th International Conference: Postponing to Later Dates

In order to streamline costs and organizational efforts, the decision has been made to postpone the upcoming G2MC Conference, initially planned for early April 2025 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. We are excited to potentially plan this conference as a joint effort with GGMC’s other program, the International Health Cohorts Consortium (IHCC). As soon as more details are available, we will share them with our members. 

Organizational Updates and Announcements

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IHCC & PRECISE Conference Highlights: A New Era of Global Healthcare

The IHCC and PRECISE joint conference in Singapore brought together leading genomics experts to explore the future of global healthcare. With a focus on precision medicine, the event fostered collaboration and knowledge exchange amongst researchers, clinicians, and Early Career Investigators. The vibrant city of Singapore proved to be the perfect backdrop for this cutting-edge conference, highlighting the nation’s commitment to advancing healthcare innovation. Continue reading to learn more about the conference highlights and key takeaways.

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New Resource Center Co-Lead: Bronwyn Terrill, Australia

We are pleased to share that Bronwyn Terrill (Australia) was elected in September as the new G2MC Resource Center Co-Lead, filling the vacancy left by Grant Wood, who assumed the role of GGMC President & CEO in July.

Bronwyn will be supporting co-leads Michelle Bishop and Sotiris Ouzounis in achieving the group’s aims, which include designing the Resource Center infrastructure, establishing processes for resource sharing, and populating the platform with valuable genomic medicine tools. As Co-Lead, Bronwyn also joins the G2MC Steering Committee.

Bronwyn has more than 30 years of experience leading, researching, and delivering genomics education and communication initiatives across Australia, the UK, and the USA, and we are excited to have her join the G2MC leadership team! 

Featured Young Investigator - 3

GGMC Membership Portal: Coming Soon!

Exciting news for our members! We’re thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of our exclusive membership portal, a dynamic hub designed to aid GGMC members in their professional goals and research interests. All members of GGMC’s programs, G2MC and IHCC, will have access to the portal which will include resources and tools designed to foster collaboration and innovation within our community. Individuals in industry or with industry connections will also have opportunities through the portal to help establish industry partnerships and collaboration.  Stay tuned for further updates as we get closer to the launch!

funding-grants

REMINDER: Funding and Grants Webpage

The GGMC Development Committee is requesting for G2MC members to share potential funding opportunities and sources applicable to the implementation of genomic medicine. These will be posted on our website and shared in our newsletters and social media channels, with the goal of allowing other members the opportunity to consider collaborative proposals to answer them. Visit our Funding and Grants webpage to view the current list and to submit opportunities and sources to be posted and shared.

G2MC Initiatives: Functional Group Updates

If you are interested in being a part of any of the following initiatives, please fill out the form below and we’ll get in touch!

Flagship Projects

Family Health History (FHH) Flagship Project

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Unlocking Family Secrets to Revolutionize Global Healthcare

Knowing your family’s health history can unlock the secrets to better health, and the Family Health History (FHH) Flagship Project is leading the way! The project is gaining momentum with new publications, global collaborations, and innovative approaches to integrate family history into personalized care. Continue reading to learn about the group’s progress and how to get involved.

Clinical Forums Flagship Project

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G2MC Announces New Clinical Forums Flagship Project

Exciting news! G2MC is restructuring to maximize our impact on patient care with the launch of the Clinical Forums Flagship Project. This initiative streamlines our efforts to integrate genomic medicine into various clinical areas by fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing across disease-focused forums. Our existing Rare Genetic Disorders Flagship Project transitions into a dedicated forum within this new structure, and we’re also launching a brand new Epilepsy Forum! Continue reading to learn more and get involved.

GGMC Working Groups

To enhance collaboration and streamline activities across GGMC programs, G2MC working groups now function at the GGMC level.

Resource Center Working Group

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A Collaborative Platform for Genomic Medicine Resources

The Global Genomic Medicine Collaborative (GGMC) is launching a new Resource Center, spearheaded by the GGMC Resource Center Working Group. This platform will provide GGMC members with a centralized hub for accessing a wide range of genomic medicine resources, including clinical tools, guidelines, and educational materials. Members can also contribute their own resources and engage in discussions. Continue reading to learn more.

Member Projects Working Group

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Streamlining Project Support for G2MC and IHCC Members

The Member Projects Working Group (formally the Implementation Working Group) is streamlining project support for both G2MC and IHCC members. A new Project Support Request Form will help members access resources and expertise for their clinical and research projects. The form will connect members with relevant expertise and foster collaborations within the genomics community. Stay tuned for the launch of the Project Navigator and Support Network. Continue reading to learn more.

Other News

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GGMC Secretariat Member, Susanne Haga, PhD, Awarded Pilot Grant

Congratulations to Susanne Haga, PhD, Professor in Medicine at Duke University for being awarded a pilot grant from the Duke Center for Precision Health and Precision Genomics Collaboratory. Susanne was one of five recipients from Duke University School of Medicine Faculty to receive a pilot grant to advance genomic science at Duke by leveraging and enhancing the OneDukeGen study infrastructure. Susanne is a member of the GGMC Secretariat team as a Grant Writer and we are incredibly proud of her accomplishment.

Upcoming Events

PMFG2024

Precision Medicine and the Future of Genomics (PMFG) 2024 Summit

There’s still time to register for the Precision Medicine and the Future of Genomics (PMFG) 2024 Summit taking place December 3-5, 2024 in Doha, Qatar. Join Sidra Medicine, in collaboration with local and international partners, as they celebrate a decade of advancements in precision medicine. The summit will focus on Genomics for All, Precision Diagnostics, and Advanced Therapeutics. A series of pre-summit masterclasses will take place December 1-2.

PMFG 2024 Summit Discounted Rate ⭢
PMFG 2024 Discounted Flights ⭢
PMFG Preferred Hotel with Discounted Rate ⭢

Featured Young Investigator - 152

1st Latin American Congress on Genetic Epilepsies

Register now for the 1st Latin American Congress on Genetic Epilepsies, a pivotal event set to take place January 8-10, 2025, in Santiago, Chile. The congress aims to raise awareness, educate, and provide updates on genetic epilepsies from scientific, clinical, familial, and industry perspectives. Neurologists, clinical geneticists, bioinformaticians, molecular biologists, medical students, patient families, family foundations, and all professionals interested in understanding genetic epilepsies are encouraged to attend. Free communications and posters will be considered. Sponsorship opportunities are still available.

Featured Young Investigator - 10

15th African Society of Human Genetics and the 1st Ugandan Society of Human Genetics and Bioinformatics Conference

Mark your calendars for the The 15th African Society of Human Genetics and the 1st Ugandan Society of Human Genetics and Bioinformatics Conference, taking place February 3-7, 2025 in Entebbe, Uganda. This meeting aims to highlight the relevance of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science for African genomics by showcasing ongoing work in this area.

GGMC-EWS

GGMC Educational Webinar Series

Join us each month for the Global Genomic Medicine Collaborative (GGMC) Educational Webinar Series. This series brings together leaders, educators, researchers, and professionals with all levels of expertise to share health sciences initiatives taking place in their respective fields and countries. Each month’s webinar will feature new guest speakers offering novel insights into their fields.

Publications

The following publications were written or contributed to by G2MC members.

Pharmacogenomics in Clinical Practice

Primorac, D., Höppner, W., & Bach-Rojecky, L. (Eds.). (2024). Pharmacogenomics in Clinical Practice. Springer Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-45903-0

The 1% gift to humanity: The Human Genome Project II

Liu, W., Li, Y., Patrinos, G. P., Xu, S., Thong, M., Chen, Z., Crawley, F. P., Li, L., Ekmekci, P. E., Drmanac, R., Cheong, W., Benamouzig, R., Nguyen, Q., Volchkov, P., Reichardt, J. K. V., Carninci, P., Majumder, P., Jin, X., Church, G., Wang, J., & Xu, X. (2024). The 1% gift to humanity: The Human Genome Project II. Cell Research, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41422-024-01026-y

G2MC is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) (tax-exempt in the U.S.) organization. Sponsorships and donations to help support our mission are greatly appreciated.

Join Our Community

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.