In the video, project manager André Uitterlinden explains the goals and objectives of this ambitious initiative in a simple and visual way, demonstrating why this project will become a cornerstone for gene-based and personalized healthcare across Europe.

What is the video about?

In his address, André Uitterlinden emphasizes that while the life expectancy of Europeans is increasing, the number of “healthy life years” is not keeping pace. To change this, medicine must become more precise and preventive. The “Genome of Europe” project is a practical step toward achieving this goal. The video explains how combining national data from different countries will create a secure, shared infrastructure, allowing for a better understanding of the genetic origins of diseases and tailoring treatment to each individual.

What is the “Genome of Europe (GoE)” project?

For those not yet familiar with the scale of the project, GoE is an ambitious pan-European initiative bringing together 51 partners from 29 countries. This includes 26 EU member states, with active participation from the Latvian Biomedical Research and Study Centre, while the National Institute of Research and Innovation (NIRI) after merging with Latvian Institute of Organics Synthesis will take over the project’s ongoing implementation).

Key milestones of the project:

• The goal is to create a unique, representative genetic database of the European population, which will serve as a reference point for researchers worldwide.
• Data will not be physically transferred to a single central data center. It will remain secure within each country’s national biobanks and servers. By collaborating, partners will be able to receive analysis results while fully maintaining patient privacy and data sovereignty.
• Practical benefits: The project will allow for the recalculation and refinement of genetic risk profiles, the integration of genomics data into the European Health Data Space (EHDS), and will help national healthcare systems implement personalized medicine into daily practice.

Why is this important to us?

This video is an excellent tool for explaining to the public and decision-makers why investments in biobanks and genomics are not just theoretical science, but a real investment in a healthier future for our society. The participation of Latvia and the National Institute of Research and Innovation in this project strengthens our country’s position among the elite of European science and precision medicine, which will be further enhanced by well-regulated legislation in Latvia. Last week, Latvia took a major step forward with the Saeima (Parliament) passing the Biobank Law, which provides the foundation for the development of science and personalized medicine.

We invite you to watch the video and learn more on the official website: https://genomeofeurope.eu/

Let’s share this news and build a healthier Europe together!

The project is co-financed by the European Union’s Digital Europe Programme. Grant agreement number 101168231.