Education & Training
in Human Genetics
At the heart of the Department of Human Genetics at Amsterdam UMC lies a foundational commitment to educating and training current and future medical professionals. The department combines the latest advancements from genetic research, care, and diagnostics with social consciousness to support a dynamic and safe learning environment. This commitment is brought to life through inspiring and comprehensive educational and training programs reflecting clinical practices in the field of human genetics.
The educational and training framework at the Department of Human Genetics is coordinated by clinical geneticist and pediatrician Dr. Petra Zwijnenburg, clinical geneticists Dr. Eline Nannenberg and Dr. Mariet Elting, and clinical genetics laboratory specialist Dr. Ronald Lekanne Dit Deprez. These dedicated staff members work to ensure the department’s curriculum is comprehensive and reflects the latest breakthroughs in genetic research, care, and diagnostics.
The curriculum offered by the Department of Human Genetics is split between fundamental courses and advanced training programs.
The fundamental courses target undergraduate and graduate medical students at both the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and Vrije Universiteit (VU) faculties of medicine. These courses aim to establish a solid foundation in Human Genetics. Additionally, the department also administers a master’s program in Personalized Medicine, emphasizing tailored therapeutic strategies.
“It is quite a challenge to keep up to date as the field is moving lightning fast,” says Dr. Zwijnenburg, who is involved in patient care in addition to teaching. “This is why we target not just medical students but also practicing healthcare professionals, so they can keep pace with the advancements in genetic research, diagnostic, and therapeutic technologies.”
The training component of the department’s offerings focuses on postgraduate education and professional development. This includes laboratory training and a four-year clinical geneticist training. Educational sessions are also organized to offer continuous medical education (CME) to qualified medical professionals who wish to update their knowledge.
Undergraduate Education: Putting fun in education
Over the past few years, Dr. Zwijnenburg has focused on coordinating and strengthening the integration of genetics education, impacting both bachelor and master’s programs at the VU and UvA faculties of medicine. “Genetics now plays a role in practically every medical discipline. We’re involved in many courses – from cardiology to psychiatry – to provide students and interns with a strong foundation in human genetics.”
In addition to lecturing, Dr. Zwijnenburg organizes guest lectures by department members to enrich the curriculum with diverse expertise. “It is also important to include patient and family perspectives in the courses. Real world examples have a great impact on students, so patients and parents of children with genetic disorders also participate in lectures.”
Postgraduate Training: Training the next generation of human genetics professionals
The national certified four-year clinical geneticist training program, coordinated by Dr. Eline Nannenberg and Dr. Mariet Elting, ensures that medical doctors in training, or AIOSs (Arts in Opleiding tot Specialist), receive comprehensive education and extensive hands-on experience in clinical and laboratory practice. This program is nationally renowned for its excellence and sets a standard in high-quality medical specialized training. It offers a stimulating and supportive learning environment that supports both academic and professional growth.
Dr. Nannenberg and Dr. Elting create specialized courses that integrate diverse expert knowledge into the AIOSs’ training process. In 2023, the cutting-edge course ‘Therapy for Genetic Disorders’ was added, which was developed together with AIOS Lotte Kleinendorst and Eva van Walree, along with the Emma Center for Personalized Medicine. Furthermore, AIOSs have opportunities to expand their knowledge beyond Amsterdam UMC. For example, they can explore clinical oncogenetics through a partnership with the Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, or engage in diagnosing patients and their families with suspected congenital abnormalities in the Caribbean, thanks to an existing collaboration.
Dr. Nannenberg and Dr. Elting customize internships in Clinical Genetics to cater to individual trainee needs, ensuring a personalized approach to their professional development. “We try to match each AIOS’s interests and talents with intern positions that best fit their career aspirations and strengths,” says Nannenberg .
In addition to training AIOSs, Dr. Nannenberg and Dr. Elting coordinate the training of physician assistants and nurse specialists in clinical genetics. These professionals play vital roles in delivering personalized care to individuals and families affected by genetic disorders, combining clinical expertise with compassionate support.
Education and Training standards
Beyond the involvement at Amsterdam UMC, VU, and UvA, the Department of Human Genetics collaborates with other academic centers across the Netherlands to harmonize education standards and share teaching insights and resources via the Dutch Society for Clinical Genetics (VKGN).
These efforts align with broader initiatives to harmonize the education and training of clinical geneticists across Europe, ensuring a similar level of expertise in this rapidly evolving field.
Training Spotlight: Laboratory Specialist Clinical Genetics
Clinical Genetics is becoming increasingly vital in healthcare and diagnosis. An important part of this field is the laboratory, where the genetic analysis takes place. Comprehensive education is crucial to ensure accuracy and consistency in these analyses.
The Department of Human Genetics offers a four-year training program to become a Laboratory Specialist Clinical Genetics (LSKG). Established 25 years ago, this nationally certified program continuously evolves to keep pace with advancement in genetic research.
The program is designed to develop competence in the core activities of the profession, known as ‘Entrustable Professional Activities’ (EPAs). Trainees must master eight EPAs at level 4 (independently or with remote supervision) by the end of their training. These activities include the full scope of the profession, including assessing requests for diagnostic tests, evaluating test results, interpreting and reporting findings, providing consultations, monitoring disease and therapy in an interprofessional context, ensuring diagnostic laboratory quality, developing, validating and implementing new diagnostic methods, and managing content of the laboratory.
Since 2019, Dr. Ronald Lekanne Dit Deprez has led the program as a trainer, with Dr. Ron Hochstenbach serving as his deputy. “Of course, we don’t do this alone,” says Ronald. “All staff members and many other laboratory workers are part of this team, educating LSKG trainees together.”
In addition to in-lab modules, LSKG trainees participate in a wide range of educational activities, including training days, journal clubs, science days, reference evenings, local education, and attendance at (international) conferences. Management and specialized (international) courses in genetic diagnostics is also part of the training.
As Clinical Genetics becomes increasingly integrated into healthcare, the demand for well-trained genetic laboratory specialists is growing. The Department of Human Genetics is committed to fulfilling this need by preparing specialists equipped to meet the challenges of modern medicine.
As we continue to push the boundaries of medical science, the Department of Human Genetics at Amsterdam UMC is committed to leading the way in education and training. Our programs are designed not just to foster the next generation of experts in genetics but to integrate this crucial knowledge across all areas of medicine. By doing so, we are shaping the future of healthcare. We’re excited about what the future holds and invite both new students and experienced professionals to join us and make a meaningful impact.
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