
ABOUT THE MEETING
The NVHG organizes an annual meeting where prominent researchers in the field of Human Genetics are invited to present their recent work and part of the program is enriched by our sister associations, the VKGN, VKGL and the NACCG.
In the meeting, both fundamental and more clinically applied topics alternate encouraging a research-stimulating character.
The annual General Members Meeting of the NVHG is also held during this event.
We are pleased to confirm that the NVHG Virtual Conference will be held on:
17 September 2021
We will soon provide you with more detailed information for registration, as well as with the final program.


WELCOME
Welcome to the Annual Meeting of the Dutch Society for Human Genetics. This year is unique. Obviously, many of us have experienced the consequences of the COVID-19 related ‘intelligent lockdown’, either in the hospital or at home. Also for us, it soon became clear that there would only be a very small chance to host a live conference on 17 and 18 September 2020. We therefore decided to take the challenge of organising it as a virtual meeting. We are excited to relish this challenge, and we hope you are excited to join us.
This year is also unique because the NVHG celebrates 70 years of Human Genetics in the Netherlands. In 1949, genetics pioneers Bruins and Waardenburg founded the Nederlandse Anthropogenetische Vereniging, which we know today as the Dutch Society of Human Genetics (NVHG). Their vision: the Netherlands as frontrunner in objective and ideology-free human genetics research. In 70 years’ time, Dutch Human Genetics has become exceptional as a driving technology for health-related research, and as an established health care service.
To celebrate our 70th anniversary, we invite you to join our first digital conference. We are indebted to speakers for accepting our invitation. We are proud to announce that Han Brunner has been elected to present the Galjaard Lecture “Understanding Intellectual Disability”. Sir John Burn will present recent insights in the genetic background and opportunities for intervention of Lynch syndrome. Marion Koopmans en Andre Uitterlinden will update us on the genetic susceptibility and disease characteristics of the Covid-19 pandemic.
In the afternoon, we have a live panel discussion from our studio with Eef Grob and Sam Riedijk on the challenges associated with the implementation of gene editing. Using the digital communication options in our online platform, we also very much invite you to join the debate.
This year we will introduce a new interactive session: “Hot and Happening” where latest contributions to human genetics will be presented by Anneke Lucassen, Janneke Langedonk and Kees Harteveld. Lili Milani will finish the scientific part of this year’s meeting with an update on Biobanking and Genomics infrastructure.
Finally, we have a social event combined with our ALV. Make sure to be present to have a chance to win an Ipad mini!
We would like to thank the sponsors, for their essential and generous financial contribution to the organization of the meeting and thank all the members for their active participation.
I wish you a very inspiring meeting!

SPEAKERS







PROGRAMME
*This is preliminary programme (last updated 14 Sept 2020)
THURSDAY 17 SEPTEMBER
09:00 | Walk-in – take own coffee, look around, solve technical issues |
09:30 | Welcome and opening |
| Mieke van Haelst & Terry Vrijenhoek |
09:40 | Galjaard Lecture: Understanding Intellectual Disability |
| Han Brunner |
10:25 | Mini-break |
10:30 | Can Lynch syndrome be cured? |
| John Burn |
Professor John Burn will update us on recent insights in the genetic background and opportunities for intervention of Lynch syndrome | |
11:15 | Mini-break |
11:20 | Impact of COVID-19 |
| André Uitterlinden |
Bas Oude Munnink | |
The pandemic of COVID-19 has impacted us all, but what developments can we expect from research into genetic susceptibility and disease characteristics? Andre Uitterlinden and Bas Oude Munnink will update us. | |
12:00 | Break, make your own lunch |
12:30 | Walk-in – share lunch recipes, solve technical issues |
12:45 | DNA Dialogues |
| Sam Riedijk and Diewertje Houtman |
The NVHG hosts the DNA Dialogues – the national (public) debate on | |
14:00 | Mini-break |
14:05 | Young Investigator Award |
14:15 | Hot and Happening |
The challenges of clinical-research hybrid practice – Anneke Lucassen | |
RNAi therapy for acute porphyria – Janneke Langedonk | |
SUPT5H and beta-thalassemia; a new cause of an old disease – Kees Harteveld | |
Interactive session with a virtual tour around the latest contributions to human genetics in the Netherlands | |
15:10 | Mini-break |
15:15 | Biobanking, genomics infrastructure |
| Lili Milani |
15:55 | Closure |
| Mieke van Haelst & Terry Vrijenhoek |
16:00 | ALV and drinks |
09:00 | Walk-in – take own coffee, look around, solve technical issues |
09:30 | Welcome and opening |
| Mieke van Haelst & Terry |
09:40 | Galjaard Lecture: Understanding Intellectual Disability |
| Han Brunner |
10:25 | Mini-break |
10:30 | Can Lynch syndrome be cured? |
| John Burn |
11:15 | Mini-break |
11:20 | Impact of COVID-19 |
| André Uitterlinden |
Bas Oude Munnink | |
12:00 | Break, make your own lunch |
12:30 | Walk-in – share lunch recipes, solve technical issues |
12:45 | DNA Dialogues |
| Sam Riedijk and Diewertje Houtman |
14:00 | Mini-break |
14:05 | Young Investigator Award |
14:15 | Hot and Happening |
The challenges of clinical-research hybrid practice | |
RNAi therapy for acute porphyria | |
SUPT5H and beta-thalassemia; a new cause of an old disease | |
15:10 | Mini-break |
15:15 | Biobanking, genomics infrastructure |
| Lili Milani |
15:55 | Closure |
| Mieke van Haelst & Terry |
16:00 | ALV and drinks |
SPONSORS
We express our gratitude to all our sponsors for their continued support.






GENERAL INFORMATION
REGISTRATION FEE
Registration for the Meeting is OPEN!
When registering for the conference, you will have to agree to the General Terms & Conditions for participants.
CANCELLATIONS AND REFUNDS
Notice of cancellation must be made in writing by e-mail to the Meeting organisers: info@NVHG2020.nl
Registration fees may be refunded if written cancellation has been received as follows:
- until Sep 10, 2020: full refund
- from Sep 11, 2020: 50% refund
The cancellation will not be effective until a written acknowledgement from the NVHG organisers is received. In the case of over-payment or double payment, refund requests must be made in writing and sent to the meeting organisers by e-mail. No refunds will be granted for unattended events or early termination of attendance, in case of cancellation of speakers or any other incidents during the conference, which are beyond the control of the conference organisers.
No exceptions to the refund policy can be made, including health or family issues. By registering to the NVHG Annual Meeting 2020, participants agree that the organising committee does not assume any liability whatsoever.
ACCESS TO THE VIRTUAL PLATFORM
Participants will receive by email the instructions to access the platform once registered.
CERTIFICATES
Certificates of attendance will be sent to all participants electronically after the meeting when attendance is confirmed in the online platform.
ACCREDITATION
Accreditation will be given only when participants request it at the registration and when the attendance is confirmed by logging in to the meeting.
BIG number and full name should be provided at registration.
LANGUAGE
The official language of the meeting will be English. No simultaneous translation will be provided.