Content: Paper on genetic diagnostics examines the future of medicine - Academies’ recommendation met with a vigorous response and caused lively discussion on its presentation to the public in Berlin

• “The Leopoldina will become the arbitrative authority” - The laying of the foundation stone for the future main building of the Academy took place on 9 November in Halle – Federal Minister of Education and Research Annette Schavan paid tribute to the role of the National Academy
• Honorary membership for Volker ter Meulen - The Leopoldina’s former President received the Academy’s highest tribute at a symposium held in his honour
• Policy consultancy: seven steering panels are formed
• Biennial Conference Erlangen - Senate elects two Vice-Presidents and other members of the Leopoldina Presidium - Christian Kubisch receives the Leopoldina Early Career Award - Genetics and Neurobiology of Mental Retardation. International conference in Erlangen brings geneticists and neurobiologists together to discuss genetic bases and neurobiological processes
• “We are entering the Age of Genetic Medicine” - Statement makes clear the impact of technological advancement on society
• Leopoldina participates in the STS Forum in Kyoto - Research, innovation and ethical questions were the focus of the international meeting in Japan
• Leopoldina President speaks with France’s Académie des Sciences
• Seminar Series in German-Brazilian Year of Science - Scientists discuss global challenges in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo
• Molecular-biological characterisation of microbes - Joint meeting of Leopoldina and Robert Koch Institute focused on the latest research findings for pathogen typing
• A unified theory of everything - International conference on Quantum Field Theory and Gravity in Regensburg
• Human rights in science - Participants in the Leopoldina symposium in Berlin discussed the significance of human rights for the freedom of science, and violations of human rights
• Hans-Peter Zenner becomes new Chairman of the Human Rights Committee