When The Festival of Genomics & Biodata began, we set out to build an exciting and inclusive event, with an initial vision of

‘Woodstock for genomics’

We hoped to get people excited about genomics and raise awareness of its potential impact for patients.

A message from Richard Lumb, CEO of Front Line Genomics and Founder of The Festival:

“When I had the idea of organising a genomics event back in 2013, I never would have dreamt that it would turn into the size of the event it is today. I was motivated by the loss of my dad to a rare form of cancer – mesothelioma - back in 2009.

There was so much excitement about the potential of genomics, but this was not yet making a difference for patients like my dad (and others in my family).

Perhaps naively, and driven by a quiet rage, I wanted to change that.

This led to a simple mission:

To deliver the benefits of genomics to patients faster .

It also led to me setting up Front Line Genomics , the company that organises the Festival.

So, the initial idea with the Festival was to do three things:

1. Try to create an event that was free for most people to attend so that more people would have access, and – ultimately – this would maximise the benefit for patients.

2. Break down silos, and bring people together from healthcare, pharma and the research sector (plus other stakeholders), so that we could accelerate translation from groundbreaking research to patient impact.

3. Get people engaged, excited and educated by genomics , which was still a new thing for many people at the time.

The Festival today is very different to how it was back in that first edition. I am proud of the role it plays, particularly the free access we provide to so many attendees, the focus on translational research that impacts patients, and in showcasing and promoting developments in genomics in the UK.

And yet, what is clearer than ever, is that for the benefits of genomics to be realised, often this involves other aspects of life sciences.

For instance, the handling, analysis and incorporation of other forms of biodata; transcriptomics and proteomics to understand what is happening in individual patients , downstream of the genome; the development of new diagnostic tools such as liquid biopsy; leveraging of exciting new methodologies such as single cell and spatial analysis.

And so, the Festival has expanded to cover not just genomics, but other topics that – when used together with genomics under the right circumstances – can lead to better patient outcomes than with genomics alone.