1-Day Satellite Meeting
(in conjunction with the joint RSA-ISBRA 2014 World Congress, Washington, USA)
V
st
Discoveries through genomic technologies and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are increasing evidence for genetic determinants of liver damage and progression to cirrhosis, and have implicated novel etiologic pathways.
Genomics
Cirrhosis
Genomics
Alcoholic liver disease remains the most significant cause of alcohol related deaths and contributes 50% to the liver disease burden. We know that not all heavy drinkers ever progress to cirrhosis. So the question remains why some people progress to cirrhosis, while others who drink to similar levels don’t? Evidence from twin studies, variability in inter-ethnic ALD mortality rates and the recent association of PNPLA3 variant with alcoholic cirrhosis indicate that there is an underlying genetic basis that may account for the variability of liver damage observed in heavy drinkers, independent of alcohol dependence. The GenomALC Consortium is an international group of alcohol and liver researchers and clinicians with a common goal to understand the genetic basis of alcohol-induced liver cirrhosis by undertaking the first international GWAS study funded by the NIAAA.
Purpose of Meeting: We aim to focus on the recent developments in the genomics and postgenomics era with special relevance to liver and alcohol related diseases.
 To update the research community on the establishment and progress of GenomALC

Consortium conducting GWAS in Alcoholic Liver Cirrhosis (ALC)
To provide a comprehensive update on genomics/genetics in alcohol use disorders and

 other liver diseases
To build future collaborations and potential spin offs from our data and sample resource for genomics and beyond
Discuss facilitation of further research effort for biological understanding of the liver and alcohol genomics/genetics
Devanshi Seth, Ph: +61 2 95157201; Email: d.seth@sydney.edu.au
Svetlana Radaeva, Ph: +1 +1 301 3358986; Email: sradaeva@mail.nih.gov