Unfortunately, the program of GRE2007 was too full to allow for a leisurely stroll along the poster gallery. A pity, since the posters showed a interesting variety of subjects within the broad field of genomics.

Toothbrush

Some researchers presented technological developments, such as Fiona Nielsen (Radboud University), who optimized the criteria for the selection of probes on microarrays in order to get a better signal-to-noise ratio. Blaise Alako (Wageningen University) tackled the problem that biologists would rather share their toothbrush than their gene names, resulting in a mesh of different names for one and the same gene. He developed a new method, gene illuminator, to find all publications that deal with the same gene. Samira Kabil (Leiden University) developed a method to study zebra fish with MRI. Since these fish have a similar immune system to humans, they are suitable to use as an animal model, e.g. with implanted cancer cells.

Detection

Other researchers focused on new methods for diagnosis and therapy for diseases. Annemieke Aartsma (LUMC) presented a new genetic therapy for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, which could change the disease into a milder variant. The results of a first clinical trial with local injections seemed positive. Tieneke Schaaij (Utrecht University) presented a new method for the early detection of oral cancer, based on an antibody against a newly identified biomarker. Using proteomics, she found this biomarker for the precursor form of oral cancer.

Best presentation

The GRE Presentation Award 2007 (€5.000) was awarded to Ernst-Jan Geutjes (NKI), who presented a poster on the search for cancer-relevant genes in relation to apoptosis. Apoptosis is the mechanism by which the body removes disturbing cells. This mechanism is inactivated in cancer cells. Geutjes identified the gene Ube4b as a possible apoptosis gene, and therefore as a possible target for new cancer drugs. For more information on his work, also read the interview with Ernst-Jan Geutjes.

Public vote

Maris Kuningas (LUMC) won the public vote and thus the GRE Poster Award 2007 (€2.500). Unfortunately, due to illness, the poster was not presented by herself, but by two of her colleagues. Kuningas compared the immune system and the genetics of people in Ghana and The Netherlands. She showed that in Ghana there is a higher selection pressure for people with a better immune system, because of the high occurrence of infection diseases.

 

[Els van den Brink]