2nd International GENCODYS Conference on Integrative Networks in Intellectual Disabilities

After an –according to the divers participants- excellent 1st GENCODYS Conference we are seeking to host the 2nd GENCODYS Conference in a similar spirit: top science regarding a broad spectrum of Cognition and ID in a stimulating environment for plenty of discussions.

The increasing power of sequencing allows the elucidation of causative genetic defects and risk factors in cognitive disorders (CD) by analysis of entire exomes and even complete genomes. A wide variety of chromosomal aberrations and a bewildering number of single gene mutations underlie intellectual disability (ID), and in a growing number of examples share a common etiology with other cognitive defects such as autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. Elucidation of the complete landscape of all CD-associated genes will allow us to recognize the underlying common pathological mechanisms. Already now, extensive functional interactions are seen between ID-associated proteins and intricate networks are becoming apparent. Examples include protein networks driving synaptic morphology and plasticity and the epigenetic orchestration of neuronal gene expression.

The European funded research consortium GENCODYS exploits a multilevel approach to resolve the integrative networks in intellectual disabilities. We are bringing together top researchers with complementary expertise and patient representatives to apply a systems biology approach to reveal the common molecular and cellular mechanisms leading to cognitive impairment and translational research possibilities. Our overall concept that also will be strongly reflected in the program of our conference is to: (1) Identify novel genes involved in cognitive disorders; (2) Elucidate associated molecular networks that are commonly disrupted in CD; and (3) Identify genetic modifiers and small compounds that are able to modulate the disease phenotype.

We aim to bring together about 150 top researcher, medical doctors and patient representatives, who represent the top in Cognitive Research and related activities. We will have about 20 invited speakers from the international top including speakers from our own top consortium. An additional 25 speakers will be selected on the bases of their recent achievement and submitted abstract. Talks and submissions for talks have to be related to studies of cognitive dysfunction but can be in widely varying fields, including genetics, cellular, molecular and physiological studies, genomics and epigenomics and bioinformatics. Integrative network approaches and focus on overlapping disease mechanisms between different disorders are prioritized.

If you don’t want to miss the exciting developments in neurogenetics-driven cognitive research, it makes sense to take part in this International Conference on Integrative Networks in Cognitive Dysfunction!