The incorporation of genomics into ecology and environmental sciences has become a prominent endeavor in the Netherlands. This is in line with international trends, its sheer extent also is leading the way. Strong signs of the Dutch endeavor are, among others, the flourishing ecogenomic consortium “Assessing the living soil” of the Dutch Genomics Initiative (NGI) (www.ecogenomics.nl), the initiation of the Platform Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics (www.ecogenomics.eu) and the “genomics for water” initiative of Dutch key players in water management (www.waterinnovatiebron.nl)
In October 2006 the so-called Soeterbeeck meeting on ecogenomics was held, with participation of all Dutch Universities and relevant institutes. This meeting has led to a complete overview of existing activities in the area of ecogenomics research in the Netherlands. As a first result of this meeting, early 2007 the Platform Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics was started. The platform took up the task of propagating the importance and necessity of ecogenomics in the Netherlands. At this moment the platform is, together with the NGI-ecogenomics consortium and various other players in this field, working on establishing one large National Initiative Ecogenomics Research (NIER). The NIER will specifically work on bringing together ecogenomic researchers, Dutch science financing organizations and end-users in government and industry. This initiative has been very well received by the Dutch Science Foundation (ALW-NWO) and the Dutch Genomics Initiative (NGI).
As a next step the platform has organized the national Ecogenomics Day 2008. Point of departure for this day is the formulation and propagation of a research agenda for ecogenomics oriented research in the different biological disciplines. In preparation of this day eight coordinators are writing an exploration of the future of ecogenomics. They will explain why their fields need ecogenomics, what the major ecogenomic questions are, and aht is needed for a successful ecogenomics program, in terms of infrastructure and cooperation. Their contributions will be brought together in the report: Ecogenomics in the Netherlands: exploration of multidisciplinary opportunities and necessities.
At the National Ecogenomics Day 2008 each coordinator will further clarify their exploration, and will illustrate their points based on research already in progress. As a key-note speaker Prof. Michael Purugganan (University New York) was invited, who will place ecogenomics in an international framework, based on his won extensive research on Arabidopsis. At the end of the day the report will be officially presented to representatives of ALW, NGI and industry.
National Ecogenomics Day 2008
February 29, 2008
De Reehorst, Ede
>> More information: National Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics Day (dutch only)