EEMGS conference for the first time in Slovakia: Bratislava welcomed scientists from 20 countries

In early June 2025, Bratislava became the venue of the 53rd International Scientific Conference of the European Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society (EEMGS), the leading scientific event in the field of genetic toxicology, environmental mutagenesis and genomics. The event took place from 2 to 5 June at the Park Inn Hotel and for the first time in history it was held in Slovakia.

The conference attracted more than 120 participants from 20 countries, including experts from academic and research institutions, regulatory bodies, health organisations and the private sector. The main topics covered innovations in genetic and environmental safety, the impact of chemicals on DNA, and the development of new analytical methods and models.

“The outcomes of EEMGS 2025 indicated that the field of genetic toxicology is playing an increasingly important role not only in science, but also in decision-making processes related to human health and environmental protection,” says Dr Monika Šramková from the Institute of Experimental Oncology of the Biomedical Research Center of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (BMC SAS), Chair of the conference organising committee.

The conference was opened by the first Slovak member of the prestigious European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO) and Director General of BMC SAS, Professor Silvia Pastoreková. The symposium was addressed by renowned experts, among them Frits Sobels 2024 award winner Dr. Mária Dušinská (Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Norway), President of The European Society of Toxicology In Vitro Dr. Helena Kanďárová (Centre for Experimental Medicine of the Slovak Academy of Sciences, Slovakia), as well as Professor Jiří Neužil (Institute of Biotechnology of the CAS, Czech Republic), an expert in the field of tumour cell biology.

The participants praised the excellent organisation of the conference, the friendly atmosphere and the attractive environment of Bratislava. “Thanks again for an amazing meeting. The huge effort you put into this was very clear. It’s been years since I wanted to go to every session on the programme. The agenda was excellent, the food was great and Bratislava was a good host – lovely city,” said one of the conference participants, Paul Fowler from the United Kingdom.

The EEMGS 2025 conference confirmed Slovakia’s ability to organise professional events at the highest international level. It contributed to strengthening scientific cooperation and opened up new opportunities for research in genetics, toxicology and health protection.

Text: Dr. Monika Šramková, BMC SAS

Photo: E. Rybárová, BMC SAS; archive of M. Šramková, BMC SAS