The PhD students belonging to the Laboratory of Genetics and Genomics of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders have presented their last findings in the III National Congress of Young Researchers in Biomedicine held at CIPF. This conference is organized by PhD students for mainly, PhD students. Paula Sancho and Lola Martínez-Rubio presented written communications focused on pathophysiology of MORC2 (CMT2Z) and genetics of NBIA, respectively. The presentation of Ana Sánchez-Monteagudo entitled “Clinical and molecular characterization of Wilson’s disease and related liver disorders”, was selected for oral communication.

Last week the Conference on Human Genetics was held in Madrid, organized by the Spanish association of human genetics (AEGH). The Dr. Espinos' team presented two communications entitled: "Clinical aspects and genetics of the Wilson's disease and related liver disorders", and "New genes associated with disorders with neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA)".

The CIPF has organized the 4th conference of female researchers on rare diseases (February 22, 2019), promoted by Carmen Espinós. This year the focus was on clinical trials for patients who suffer from PKAN (PANK2 associated neurodegeneration), retinosis pigmentaria, and fragile X syndrome. These talks were presented by M. José Martí (H. Clínic, Barcelona), Regina Rodrigo (H. U. i P. La Fe, Valencia) and Yolanda de Diego (IBIMA, Málaga). Regarding research focused on genetics and clinical aspects, the speakers were Inmaculada Calvo (H. U. i P. La Fe, Valencia), Lídia González-Quereda (H. Santa Creu i Sant Pau, Barcelona), and Anabel Teruel (H. U. Clínic, Valencia). They talked about autoimmune disorders in children, genetics of neuromuscular diseases, and cancer. Moreover, the associations of patients with fibromyalgia and toxic oil syndrome thanks to the collaboration of María López-Matallana and Carmen Cortés.

The International Day of Women and Girls in Science, celebrated each year on 11 February, was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly to promote full and equal access to and participation in science for women and girls. We must make visible women researchers to students because they are the future and they need to know that science can be carried out by women. Carmen Espinós gave a class in Riu Túria High School focused on research performed by Spanish women.