Pharmacogenetics & Pharmacogenomics Network Europe
Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics are emerging disciplines that focus on genetic determinants of drug response at the levels of single genes or the entire human genome, respectively. Although this is not a new field, it has recently enjoyed a surge in activity as a result of the availability of better tools and a realisation of potential benefit by both the pharmaceutical industry and government regulatory bodies. Applied objectives include, for example, improving drug efficacy, avoiding harmful side effects, and improving the efficiency and timeliness of drug response. Personalised medicines are another issue, which will need more research.
There are many research-groups in Europe that focus on pharmacogenetics and/or pharmacogenomics. Until now there was, however, no European home or network to facilitate and stimulate collaboration between these different groups in Europe.
The Task Force on Pharmacogenetics/Pharmacogenomics Europe started to explore interest in establishing a European Network on the topic. This resulted in a brainstorm workshop in November 2006, in Utrecht, the Netherlands (http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejps.2007.03.009).
EUFEPS has agreed to provide a home for this new Network as well as to help with communication within and organisation and announcements of meetings and courses.
In April 2007 a Steering committee for the Network was formed: (Ann Daly, John Caldwell, Munir Pirmomahed, Jose Lanao, Hans Linden, Ron van Schaik, Ingolf Cascorbi and Anke-Hilse Maitland-van der Zee (chair)). Furthermore the Network has an Advisory group that includes among others: Leif Bertilsson, Chris Chamberlain, Jan Raaijmakers, Philippe Beaune.
If you are interested in becoming a member of the European Network of Pharmacogenetics/genomics you can register at this website, and if you have comments, question or ideas about activities of the Network, please contact Anke-Hilse Maitland-van der Zee (a.h.maitland@uu.nl)
