The international UNESCO-supported Mendel Genetics Conference will focus on current topics in the field of human genetics, with a focus on rare hereditary diseases and predisposition to cancer, as well as animal and plant genetics, including GMOs and the genetics of bacteria and viruses. Ethical issues related to the diagnosis and screening of genetic diseases, the history of genetic research and the application possibilities of new genomic technologies in medicine and agriculture will also be discussed.
The programme of the conference, which takes place from 20 to 23 July, is very topical, scientifically attractive and will feature contributions by excellent scientists and keynote speakers who have already confirmed their participation.
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry recipients Ada E. Yonath from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel and Thomas Cech from the University of Colorado, as well as Paul Nurse from the Francis Crick Institute in London, winner of the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, will arrive in Brno. This is not the first time Paul Nurse will be visiting Brno in connection with G. J. Mendel. “I am a geneticist and even during the Cold War I wanted to see the place where Mendel made his ground-breaking discoveries. I managed to visit the monastery, I discovered a small museum dedicated to Mendel and I also saw his grave. All this made a strong impression on me and I have since returned to Brno many times,” said the English scientist on the occasion of receiving an honorary degree from Mendel University in 2020. Gregor Johann Mendel’s name was also on his mind at the very moment when he learned he would receive the Nobel Prize. “At that time, I was in London making arrangements to raise some money for the operation and remodelling of the Mendel Museum in Brno,” Paul Nurse recalled.
The organisers encourage scientists and experts to not hesitate and register and tell their colleagues about the conference. While participants have until 30 June to register, the deadline for submitting abstracts is set to 31 March. The registration form is available on the conference website.
The conference will be followed by the Mendel Festival on 23 and 24 July, which will present the latest results of genetic research to the general public and also include a variety of cultural events.