Objective: To promote and facilitate learning by providing resources and expertise to address the training needs of the Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (GP2; www.gp2.org) and its collaborators.

Background: GP2 is an international collaborative effort committed to advancing our understanding of the genetic basis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Alongside building strong connections with global partners, training the next generation of PD researchers worldwide is a key priority for GP2.

Method: The Training and Networking group has strategically developed resources and training opportunities to achieve global impact. A free, web-based learning platform (https://training.gp2.org/) was launched to provide fundamental knowledge in PD genetics, data science, and bioinformatics. Tailored training opportunities have been provided to clinicians and scientists from underrepresented regions in PD research to equip them with research skills and build local capacity.

Results: The Learning Platform offers ten courses and has been accessed by 1,200+ trainees. Recent additions include the Micro e-Learning Program, which features 5-minute videos simplifying key concepts in PD genetics, clinical aspects and data analysis, alongside a course on whole-genome sequencing data analysis. The Trainee Network with 260+ members worldwide, supported by 8 regional trainee representatives, facilitates training, knowledge exchange, and collaborative data analysis across GP2. To date, 21 trainee projects have been published, and 25 research projects are ongoing using GP2 data. Through the Visiting Scientist Program, two investigators have received support to pursue new avenues of research aligned with our mission. Ten in-person bioinformatics training workshops have been conducted in underrepresented countries to further enrich the training experience. A total of 14 PhD and 12 master’s fellowships have been awarded to trainees from Africa, Asia, Australia, and Latin America, and sabbatical opportunities at GP2 centers have been made available to Trainee Network members. The GP2 Hub has been launched as a centralised platform for users, featuring an internal directory and updates on GP2 activities.

Conclusion: As GP2 expands, we are committed to ensure local research capacity is developed and support the growing network of trainees and researchers worldwide. These initiatives significantly contribute to advancing our understanding of the genetic basis of PD.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/advancing-global-training-and-capacity-building-in-parkinsons-genetics-through-gp2/