The European Society
of Human Genetics

ESHG EuroGentest Webinar

"Navigating the future of genetics"

Updates on quality assurance, regulations and professional standards in clinical and laboratory practices

The EuroGentest online seminar took place on April 1st, 2025 from 1.00-4.00 PM CEST.

The programme consisted of brief presentations providing an update on burning issues in clinical and laboratory genetics.

The seminar covered:

  • An IVDR update and the current state of European genetic laboratories, based on our ESHG-IVDR survey results,
  • Clinical and technical quality assurance challenges, using rapid exome sequencing in neonatal intensive care,
  • An overview of the current status of professional recognition in genetics (EBMG),
  • Specific EuroGentest projects aimed at promoting best practices in our field.

Be part of the EuroGentest community, working towards harmonization and quality in genetic services. Your participation contributes to advancing standards across Europe.

The EuroGentest Committee of ESHG

To learn more about EuroGentest, see https://www.eshg.org/egt

Watch the webinar's recording

Please click on the button below and log in to zoom or create a zoom account to watch the recording.

Program

Updates on quality assurance, regulations and professional standards in clinical and laboratory practices

Date: April 1st, 2025      Time: 1.00-4.00 PM CET
1.00 pm Introduction: EuroGentest  Dr. Gert Matthijs (University of Leuven, BE)
1.15 pm

SESSION 1:  IN VITRO DIAGNOSTIC REGULATION (IVDR)

We will give an update on the in vitro diagnostic regulation (IVDR) including information on the current situation in the European genetic laboratories, based on the feedback on our ESHG-IVDR survey.

2025 and IVDR: Where do we stand? - Feedback from the ESHG survey
by Dr. Els Dequeker (University of Leuven, BE)
From Data Analysis to Certification: Preparing for CE-IVD Compliance in Analysis
by Dr. Sandra van den Broek (Hartwig Medical Foundation, NL)

 Chair: Dr. Els Dequeker (University of Leuven, BE)
2.00 pm

SESSION 2:  ENSURING QUALITY AT THE CUTTING EDGE 

This session will focus on exploring the latest advancements and challenges in genetic testing. Our three expert speakers will discuss neonatal newborn sequencing, the importance of quality control in genetic testing, and the importance of genetic counselling in prenatal care. Gain valuable insights into ensuring accuracy, reliability, and patient-centred care in a rapidly evolving field.

Rapid Exome Sequencing in Pre- and Postnatal Care
by Dr. Mahdi Motazacker (AMC, NL)
Genetic counselling and patient perspective in the prenatal setting
by Dr. Gabrielle Reid (University of Melbourne, Australia)
Quality and (poor)performance
by Dr. Sian Morgan (Cardiff and Vale UHB – AWMGS, UK)

 Chair: Dr Weronika Gutowska-Ding (EMQN, UK)
3.00 pm

SESSION 3: THE IMPORTANCE OF PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION

The European Board of Medical Genetics (EBMG) is set up to serve the needs of patients who use genetic services in Europe through ensuing good standards of practice in three professional branches: Medical Geneticists, Genetic Nurses and Genetic Counsellors and Clinical Laboratory Geneticists (CLGs). Here the state of certification and professional recognition in Europe is presented.

Speaker: Dr. Joana Barbosa de Melo (University of Coimbra, PT)

 Chair: Dr. Thomas Liehr (Universitätsklinikum Jena, DE)

Contact

Mr. Jerome del Picchia
ESHG Society Office
c/o WMA GmbH, Alser Strasse 4, 1090 Vienna, Austria

[e]: courses(at)eshg.org

Genetic Education