Dear Colleagues,
A major focus of the scientific program will center around the post-genomic area and its impact on the patient. In this regard we are awaiting great advances and a much better understanding of genomic, transcriptomic and metabolomic regulation with regard to the pathophysiology of diseases.

With regard to laboratory diagnostic medicine, risk assessment of the patient, prediction of disease development and evaluation of preventive strategies represent major challenges. Furthermore, (sub)phenotyping hand-in-hand with the introduction of individualized and tailored pharmacotherapy are already visible at the horizon. Subsequently, pharmacogenomics and theragnostics represent novel emerging fields in laboratory medicine. All of these advances are only manageable with the dramatic and rapid development of technologies all of them requiring a new dimension of bioinformatics.

We are observing worldwide dramatic increase in non-communicable disease such as chronic inflammatory conditions, autoimmunity, allergy, diabetes, obesity, cardio-vascular disease, neuro-degenerative conditions and others. The prevalences are certainly highest in industrialized countries; however, developing countries around the world are currently observing the same trend. Therefore, concerted actions are worldwide required to obtain a better understanding of the underlying mechanisms, particularly with regard to gene-environment / lifestyle interactions. Therefore, our field of laboratory medicine stands not alone, but is closely linked with other fields in Medicine and Science such as molecular biology, biochemistry, haematology, microbiology, immunology, transfusion medicine and other neighbouring disciplines. The Berlin 2011 congress will provide the opportunity to look beyond our own field. It is the aim of the Scientific Program Committee to provide as many translational sessions as possible by including eminent representatives from clinical disciplines in the various types of sessions.

The International Scientific Committee will do its best to develop an interesting and stimulating scientific program together with the help of the International Scientific Advisory Board, the various representatives of IFCC and FESCC. All suggestions from the membership societies are most welcomed and strongly encouraged.

Yours Sincerely,
Harald Renz
Chair of the International Scientific Committee