Annual Meeting of the AGD 2020

in Bonn, December 17–18

Topic: Genomics for Health

Members and Friends of the AGD,

This year everything is different because of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. It has also affected our plans for the annual meeting 2020, which we originally planned to hold in Bonn. However, recent developments of the pandemic have prompted us to organise it as a virtual meeting instead. The fight against SARS-CoV-2 has also shaped the program of the meeting, as it is compellingly demonstrating the power of genomics to protect and foster our health. Therefore, we are going to dedicate a whole session to latest breakthroughs in COVID-19 research. Further, we will address the value of polygenic risk scores and its integration into clinics. Recently, genomics approaches have also been instrumental in the discovery of new disease mechanisms, which we want to hear of. But the broad application of genomics in diagnostics poses challenges with respect to the security of health-related data, which we need to discuss as well.

You are cordially invited to participate in the AGD virtual meeting on December 17 and 18, 2020. The meeting will address the above issues in four sessions:

Session 1 — The Power of Genomics in the COVID-19 Combat
Session 2 — Polygenic Risk Scores (PRS)
Session 3 — New Disease Mechanisms
Session 4 — Genome Diagnostics and Health Data Security

The detailled scientific program can be downloaded here.

From the presentations given at the meeting and from the discussions, we expect fruitful impulses for future developments, not only in research but also in our health care system.

We are convinced that the meeting program is very attractive, and that the excellent speakers will manage to inspire you and your future work. We are well aware of the attractiveness of a physical meeting in the pleasant atmosphere of a nice venue but the new corona virus forces us to go virtual this year.

We are looking forward to seeing you at our virtual meeting.

Sincerely yours,