Mission Statement

The Genomics and Data Sciences (GDS) Special Interest Group (SIG) welcomes EMGS members who are broadly interested in using genomics, bioinformatics, computational biology and tools in related data fields to investigate the impact of the environment on the genome. In the era of “big data” and harnessing the momentum of the 50th Anniversary of EMGS to “protect the genome” (DeMarini), the GDS SIG seeks to examine and apply data-rich ‘omics’ methods and technologies to better understand the organization of the genome and how it functions and responds to environmental stresses, with the goal of improving human and environmental health. The specific objectives of the SIG are to:

• Invite and integrate investigators in fields of genome sciences, computational biology, evolutionary biology, and related fields to participate in the Society and help advance its goals in new and exciting ways.
• Discuss and integrate novel technologies to study the effects and signatures of chemicals and other environmental stresses on the genome, transcriptome and nucleome.
• Embrace genomics and data sciences in its many manifestations, including theoretical studies and statistics, practical computing solutions, population studies, human diagnostics and therapeutics, and basic science investigations in model organisms.
• Serve as a bridge to other SIGs interested in applying genomic and computational technologies to strength areas of the EMGS, e.g. germline mutagenesis, epigenomics, genetic toxicology, molecular epidemiology and risk assessment.
• Provide guidance to industry and regulatory bodies for the application of genomics data in support to safety assessment and hazard identification.
• Plan and host symposiums and workshops at the EMGS annual meeting for students and investigators to learn novel laboratory tools and analytical approaches in “omics” fields and how they are advancing our understanding of complex genome systems.
• Provide an inclusive environment for investigators of all stages and backgrounds to discuss high throughput data acquisition and downstream computational approaches, to learn how these can be used in the context of public and environmental health.
  

Through these activities the Genomics and Data Sciences SIG seeks to be a home for technology-heavy scientific activities in genomics already of interest to EMGS members. This new SIG also expands the scope of the Society to welcome researchers and trainees in data-centered scientific disciplines who have ever-increasing interests in the influence of the environment on genomics, and who bring needed computational skill sets that will enrich the ability of the EMGS to pursue its mission in environmental research and protection.

SIG Contact

If you would like more information, you can reach out to us here: Genomics and Data Sciences SIG Contact

If you are already an EMGS member and are interested in joining the Genomics and Data Sciences SIG:

Join the SIG

Search for the name of the group using the Find A Group search bar and click + Join Group.

Top Global Issues

• The capture, inclusion, and consideration of human diversity and human sociodemographics in environmental mutagen and genomics research 
• The understanding, implementation, application and ethical considerations of AI in mutagenesis, epimutagenesis, and ‘omics research 
• The collective engagement of interdisciplinary communities of data science, genomics, and computational researchers for emergent discoveries in fundamental DNA biology and mechanistic understanding of carcinogenesis and transgenerational disease associated with environmental mutagenesis 

SIG Membership

Any EMGS member may join the SIG, serve in a leadership role (SIG Chair/Co-Chair, SIG Representative to Program Committee, Student and Early Career Investigator Co-Chair (SECI), and have voting privileges. Any EMGS Annual Meeting attendees who are not EMGS members and/or SIG members are welcome to attend the SIG meeting at the Annual Meeting. EMGS members may join or leave the SIG at any time, are encouraged to check on their membership status on the EMGS website and can ask SIG leadership to update their membership status as necessary. EMGS members may belong to as many SIGs as they choose, and SIG memberships are free of charge. 

SIG Leadership

Leadership roles in this SIG include a Chair, Co-Chair (optional), Student and Early Career Investigator (SECI) Co-Chair, and a Representative to the Program Committee. Starting in February 2020, the responsibilities for these roles and the timelines and procedures for nominations and elections has been standardized across all EMGS SIGs. 

SIG Files

GDS SOP | EMGS Strategic Plan | 2024 Top Global Issues