Introduction
The Society of PEth Research (PEth-NET) is thrilled to announce its upcoming 2024 conference, titled “PEth in Mind.” This highly anticipated event will be held as a two-day in-person meeting in the picturesque city of Lucerne, Switzerland. Participants can look forward to immersing themselves in a dynamic and engaging conference experience in one of the most captivating destinations in the country.
Date: 31st of May and 1st of June 2024
Location: the conference will be held at the HSLU (Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts) located at Zentralstrasse 9 in the beautiful city of Lucerne, Switzerland. This central and well-appointed venue ensures convenient access for attendees, offering state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant environment that is conducive to productive discussions and knowledge sharing.
Audience: PEth-NET members and laboratories actively involved in PEth measurement, as well as clinicians who utilize PEth in their professional practice. By catering to these two important segments, the conference aims to create a focused and collaborative environment where researchers, laboratory experts, and medical professionals can come together to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and foster advancements in the field of PEth analysis.
Language: The official language of the conference will be English. All presentations, discussions, and materials will be conducted and provided in English to ensure effective communication and inclusivity for all participants.
Format: The conference will be conducted exclusively as an in-person event, providing a valuable opportunity for attendees to network, engage in face-to-face discussions, and forge meaningful connections with fellow researchers, laboratory experts, and clinicians.
Accommodation: While accommodation arrangements are the responsibility of each attendee, there are numerous hotels conveniently situated in the city center near the conference venue. This provides participants with a wide range of options to choose from, ensuring a comfortable and convenient stay during the event.
Dinner: Join us for a unique dining experience at the Brasserie-Restaurant of the Swiss Museum of Transport, where we’ll be hosting a captivating “Beer & Wine Battle” themed dinner. Delve into the intriguing world of beverage pairing as we challenge traditional notions. Why is wine often overlooked as a pairing for salad, and why does white wine usually accompany fish? Is red wine genuinely the ultimate match for meat and cheese, or does beer offer an equally delightful pairing? Prepare for a delightful exploration and experimentation of flavors and pairings during this Beer & Wine Battle dinner.
Confirmed Speakers and Topics
Research and clinical uses of PEth, and future directions for broader application
Judith Hahn, Professor of Medicine in the HIV, ID, and Global Medicine Division, Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco
“In her plenary, Dr. Judy Hahn will review the uses of PEth in behavioral and HIV research, addiction research, and liver care, and discuss what steps and considerations are needed for broader application of PEth.”
The applicability of phosphatidylethanol (PEth) in the liver transplant setting
Susana G. Rodrigues, MD, PhD, Consultant Hepatologist, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern
“Data on phosphatidylethanol’s (PEth) applicability, use and reliability in the setting of liver disease has been limited. This lecture aims at provide an evidence-based overview on the applications, challenges and remaining open questions concerning the incorporation of PEth testing in identifying alcohol intake in liver disease patients. The focus will be on its use in the liver transplant setting.”
The application of PEth in Belgium
Christophe Stove, PharmD, PhD, associate-professor at Ghent University, heading the Laboratory of Toxicology at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences
“Belgium has recently introduced the use of PEth. This lecture aims to provide an overview about the transformation process (from CDT), sampling procedures, regulatory aspects, and the legal framework for monitoring alcohol consumption behaviour with alcohol biomarkers.”
Experiences and insights into a population-based algorithm for abstinence prediction
Katleen van Uytfanghe, Quality manager and technical supervisor of the accredited reference laboratory (Ref4U) and routine laboratory at the Laboratory of Toxicology of the University of Ghent, Belgium
“This talk will focus on the use of a population-based algorithm capable of predicting abstinence while accounting for intra- and interindividual variability in PEth scores”
The window of detection of PEth after consumption of low alcohol amounts
Wolfgang Weinmann, Professor of Forensic Toxicology at the University of Bern
“This talk will discuss whether low drinking amounts can result in a positive PEth concentration above 20 ng/mL”
Preliminary Program
Day 1: The initial day will prioritize delving into the technical aspects of PEth analysis, including methodology, cutoff concentrations, microsampling strategies, harmonization, and inter-laboratory comparison. The day will culminate with a conference dinner, providing an opportunity to continue sharing knowledge and experiences.
Day 2: On the second day of the conference, the spotlight will be on the practical application of PEth in both clinical and forensic contexts, specifically highlighting areas such as driving aptitude assessment and organ transplantation screening. The overarching goal is to create an engaging congress that encourages active participation from members, including interactive workshops that foster personal involvement.
Further program points can be suggested by sending us an email to contact(at)peth-net.org
Registration and Abstract Submission
Conference registration and abstract submission are now open. Abstract submision will close on the 20th of December.
Location Trailer
Travel awards
PEth-NET is delighted to offer five Swiss National Fund (SNF) sponsored grants for young scientists from abroad, with each grant amounting to up to 1000.- CHF (see here for the rules). These grants are specifically designated to cover travel and accommodation expenses. To qualify, applicants must present their original research findings during the conference, and selection is based on the quality of the submitted abstract.
Applications for the travel awards can be submitted to contact@peth-net.org and should include an abstract, a CV, the expected reimbursement, and an application letter. The deadline for abstract submission for the travel awards is October 1st. Don’t miss this opportunity to showcase your work and be considered for this grant!
Conference Awards
The Society of PEth Research is excited to continue the tradition of presenting two prestigious awards: the Best Presentation Award and the Best Innovation Award.
The Best Presentation Award will honor the speaker who delivers the most impactful and captivating presentation, effectively conveying their research findings and engaging the audience. The Best Innovation Award will recognize the speaker who introduces novel and groundbreaking ideas or methodologies in the field of PEth research.
All conference speakers will automatically be considered for these esteemed awards, making it an excellent opportunity to showcase expertise and be acknowledged for exceptional contributions to the field.
Accreditation of Continuing Education
The Swiss Society of Forensic Medicine (SGRM) awards participants of this further education event one credit per hour (45 – 60 minutes). A total of 11 credits may be credited for participation in the entire scientific program.
Conference Sponsors
We sincerely thank our sponsors for their generous support.
