Timetable and organization
The action is planned for five years. The management committee will meet as soon as the programme starts.
Starting point: First meeting of the management committee.
Definition of the aims: directory, workshops, scientific cooperation, guidelines for diagnostic services.
The coordinator will aggregate all the information provided by the members of the management committee and will assemble the directory of the European labs and scientists involved in basic research and diagnostics concerning molecular cytogenetics of solid tumours. The directory will appear on a web page dedicated to this COST Action and aimed at spreading information on it. The coordinator will be in charge of updating the directory, communicating the workshops which will be organized and the documents/guidelines produced by the COST network.
Based upon an inventory of the activities and interests of the participating groups, the initial meeting of the management group will specify the two areas as described in general terms in the program and will indicate how (what by whom) implementation will take.
WG 1 : Working Group for identification of reference labs/experts of specific solid tumours.
WG 2 : Working Group on cytogenetics of carcinomas.
WG 3 : Working Group on genome resources for FISH analysis.
WG 4 : Working Group on advanced molecular cytogenetic technologies.
WG 5 : Working Group on genetic predisposition to cancer.
0.5-1 year Plenary assembly
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General meeting of the Working Group in charge of defining reference groups for specific solid tumours ("reference" WG): planning activities of the identified subgroups. |
Meeting of the Working Group on cytogenetics of carcinomas.
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Joined meeting of the Working Groups on genome resources and advanced molecular technologies bringing together experts from academia and industry. Communication on the web site of all the proposals and news from the working groups. |
First release of the directory.
1.5-2years Meeting of the WG on Genetic predisposition to cancer.
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Specific solid tumours Working Groups stimulating research efforts in the area related to development of new diagnostic and predictive tools for cancer patient management. |
"Rare solid tumours" meeting: set up of European consortia.
Release of updated directory.
Communication on the web site of the agenda of future activities.
2,5-3 years Plenary assembly.
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Integrated Meeting of the Working Groups on Genome Resources for FISH analysis and Advanced Molecular Cytogenetic technologies: progress report on the application and evaluation of molecular cytogenetic technologies directed to cancer diagnosis, prognosis and prediction of response to particular therapies. Specific solid tumours workshops: research advances and transfer into diagnostic activity. Release of updated directory. Release of recommendations and guidelines for diagnosis of specific solid tumours. |
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3-4 years Meeting of the WG on Genetic Predisposition to Cancer: diagnostic and prognostic use of cytogenetic markers. Meeting of the WG on cytogenetics of carcinomas: research advances and transfer into diagnostic activity: progress report on new cytogenetic markers. Specific solid tumours meetings: set up of guidelines to optimize diagnosis. Release of the updated directory. |
4-5 years Plenary assembly and meeting of all Working Groups.
| Release of guidelines to optimize diagnosis of
specific solid tumours and update of existing guidelines.
Plenary assembly and production of a concluding document summarizing the action. |