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LIVE LOUNGE
Ethics and Interactions With The Environment - Bridging the Gap for Genomics for all
The Live Lounge addresses epigenetics in mental health, equitable access and diversity in genomic studies as well as innovations in AI in biology, health and drug discovery.
DAY 1
The Live Lounge will begin by focusing on Genomics in Psychiatry and Mental Health. The focus will then turn to ethics, diversity and patient perspectives.
[topic] GENOMICS INTERACTING WITH THE ENVIRONMENT
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DATAMIND – The UK Mental Data Hub
- This talk will present DATAMIND which is a health data research hub for mental health.
- We’ll discuss the core activities of this research hub including the FAIR curation of mental health data.
- We’ll show how the DATAMIND hub is cataloguing and curating UK mental health data rich datasets which are within the fields of genomics, routine care, trials for research, the NHS, academia, industry and so on.
- Finally we’ll cover how patient and public engagement is a core aspect of the project.
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A Multiomics Approach to Understanding the Regulation of Sleep And Circadian Rhythms
- Sleep is fundamental to our health, and its disruption, as seen widely in today’s 24/7 society can precipitate multiple long and short-term diseases.
- Despite its importance, the molecular underpinnings of sleep remain largely enigmatic.
- My lab works on the gene regulatory landscape that controls the timing of sleep and circadian rhythms.
- Here I will present our latest findings on how chromatin accessibility changes in key brain regions changes across the day and in response to sleep deprivation, and its consequences on brain function and health.
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Food, Epigenetics, Metabolic Responses and Health
- How diet influences epigenetic regulation of gene function, and its impacts on subsequent cardio-metabolic health outcomes
- Overview of the DIMENSION Consortium
- The intersection between epigenetic and functional genetic changes after food intake, and the potential of personalised nutrition
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[topic] LIVE LOUNGE OVER LUNCH
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A Comprehensive Workflow from Screening to Validation Utilizing Droplet Digital Sequencing (ddSeq) and Droplet Digital PCR (ddPCR) Technologies
- We will describe continuous workflow bridging the gap between droplet-based targeted methods and sequencing technologies to maximize the information retrieved from valuable samples across various fields of research:
- ddSEQ (Droplet Digital Sequencing) technology was designed to create sequencing libraries from single cells, maximizing cell utilization through a distinctive bead deconvolution process. We will discuss the single-cell transcriptomics approach as a foundation for marker discovery.
- Droplet digital PCR: The next generation of PCR, utilising droplet-based technology to partition PCR reactions, enabling greater accuracy, sensitivity and reliability and use with an increasingly widening range of applications.
- Genesis Celselect: A micro-well-based technology designed to complement existing liquid biopsy workflows focused on cell-free DNA (cfDNA) analysis using ddPCR. It enables the efficient capture of rare cells, offering options for recovery or automated on-slide immunostaining. This method boasts high capture efficiency, thanks to its size-based, epitope-agnostic capture approach and innovative microfluidic design.
Speakers
Sponsor
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DNA/RNA Multiomics: Future-Proof Your Lab With a Flexible Single-Tube NGS Solution
- Futureproof your NGS lab using our new single-tube DNA and RNA library kit
- Multi-omics analysis offers invaluable opportunities to fully understand pathologies
- Technical innovations of NGS workflowsComplete profiling of samples and benefits for patients
Sponsor
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Realising The Clinical Benefits of Genetics Guided Screening and Prevention
- PRS have been developed and evaluated for many complex diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and common cancers - It is essential that considering the translational benefit of using genetics to enhance prevention and early detection are not focussed upon single diseases alone
- We show that large numbers of individuals in the population are at high risk because of their genetics and that they reach screening thresholds in advance of current guidelines
- We also demonstrate how genetics can be operationalised in a public health setting to support prevention, and consider how they can be applied to emerging public health problems, where screening & prevention are likely to play a role in the future
Sponsor
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Single-Cell and High-Throughput RNA-seq Tools to Find Better Targets and Accelerate Drug Development
- Bottlenecks in Drug Discovery: Challenges include identifying effective targets and optimizing leads, with traditional methods being time-consuming and often inaccurate
- Single-Cell Sequencing: Our custom approach to single-cell sequencing offers deep insights into cellular heterogeneity and cell type-specific expression, improving the speed and precision of target discovery
- Discovery-seq Platform: Our new platform uses single-cell methodology for high-throughput screening with Bulk RNA sequencing, supported by robust data analysis to find better targets and elucidate MoA
Sponsor
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Illumina 3' Single-Cell RNA Prep: Flexible, Scalable, and Affordable Single-Cell Analysis in Any Lab
- Illumina introduces new solutions for single-cell analysis using Particle Templated Instant Partitioning
- Flexible platform scales from hundreds to hundreds of thousands of cells per reaction with minimal equipment requirement
- Fully integrated with Illumina's sequencing and analysis pipeline
- Illumina 3' single-cell RNA prep provides unmatched value, flexibility, and scalability for any lab
Sponsor
[topic] GENOMICS IN PSYCHIATRY & WELLNESS
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The Genetics of Treatment Resistant Depression in The Pakistani DIVERGE Study
- There is an immense lack of diversity in genetic research.
- Very few studies are carried out in low- and middle income countries In one of the largest dedicated studies of depression genetics, we are recruiting 9,000 patients from across Pakistan
- I will present the first genetic findings from this novel, deeply phenotyped cohort
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We investigated the genetic risk factors for developing treatment resistant depression which is responsible for the majority of the burden of this disorder
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Global Women’s Health Initiatives to Investigate Novel Approaches to Improve Health Care Delivery
- Preventing cardiometabolic complications in women after high-risk pregnancy conditions such as gestational diabetes and preeclampsia using technology and AI
- SMART Health Pregnancy trial in India: This trial is being conducted in two rural districts in two states, and is evaluating a community-based intervention and digital clinical decision support tool to improve screening, management and referral of high risk conditions during pregnancy and in the in first year after birth
Speaker
Director of Women’s Health
The George Institute for Global Health at Imperial College London
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Epigenetic Regulation By Stress
- Epigenetic regulation by stress during prenatal, postnatal and adulthood.
- Animal models and human studies to study epigenetic mechanisms.
- Epigenetic regulation by influenced by genetics.
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[break] Break
- Speed Networking: Fun and useful sessions where you’ll rapidly meet other Festival attendees to immediately expand your network
- Food Options: Grab a coffee and a cake at The Tree of Life Cafe or head on over to the Food Village for a range of hot food options, including Indian, Jamaican and Lebanese food
- Exhibition Floor: Wander around the vibrant exhibition floor to see the latest technologies and services on offer
- Talkaoke: The Flying Saucer of Chat, a fun and interactive pop-up show that offers you the opportunity to sit down with others and discuss any topic you like
[topic] ETHICS, DIVERSITY & PATIENT PERSPECTIVES
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Improving Black Health Outcomes
- First dedicated research resource in this country to help us understand how health conditions can specifically affect people from Black communities
- King’s College London in partnership with NIHR BioResource and Genomics England building research cohort up to 10,000 Black participants
- How Black community PPI contributed to every step in IBHO design and delivery
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Putting People First: Designing Ethical and Inclusive Engagement in Genomics
- Overview of how Genomics England are ensuring equity
- The potential of large scale datasets
Speakers
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D-CYPHR: Working With Families to Create a World First Children’s Genetic Health Research Programme
- The DNA, Children + Young People’s Health Resource is led by the NIHR BioResource in partnership with the NHS, and created with children, young people and parents from inception
- Most diseases start in childhood but most research is carried out with adult participants. What is the role of genetic research involving children and young people in overcoming child and adult health problems, and reducing burden on healthcare system
- How does digital recruitment overcome traditional barriers to research participation in underrepresented populations, both children and minority ethnic communities, and work to address health inequalities they face D-CYPHR facilitates research into a wide range of physical and mental health areas, allowing access to data, samples and recall of consented volunteers by genotype and/or phenotype
DAY 2
Day 2 on the Live Lounge Stage focuses on the future of AI in Healthcare, Generative AI & LLMS and how AI can transform Genomics.
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[topic] NETWORKING BREAK & POSTER PRESENTATIONS
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Poster Presentations
Investigating Survival Disparities in Epithelioid and Placental-Site Trophoblastic Tumours: A Multi-Omic Approach
- Emily Hayes, PhD Student, Imperial College London
Exploring Salivary Proteomics: Advancing Non-invasive Screening for Gastric Cancer in an Intermediate-risk Population
- Catarina Lopes, PhD Student, ICBAS
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[break] Break
- Speed Networking: Fun and useful sessions where you’ll rapidly meet other Festival attendees to immediately expand your network
- Food Options: Grab a sandwich at The Tree of Life Cafe or head on over to the Food Village for a range of hot food options, including Indian, Jamaican and Lebanese food.
- Exhibition Floor: Wander around the vibrant exhibition floor to see the latest technologies and services on offer.
- Talkaoke: The Flying Saucer of Chat, a fun and interactive pop-up show that offers you the opportunity to sit down with others and discuss any topic you like
[topic] HOW CAN AI TRANSFORM GENOMICS?
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Panel: The Future of AI in Biology And Health
- How do we navigate this critical timepoint where advances in AI are rapid, implementation is challenging, while remaining optimistic for the future?
- How can we overcome challenges with adoption and unlock the next frontier for better patient outcomes?
- What needs to be done going forward to make AI more accessible and reliable?
Speakers
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Genomics at Machine Speed
Drawing on his expertise in test implementation, integrated diagnostics, digital pathology and precision medicine, Dr Lennerz will explore how machine-driven advancements are transforming our understanding and application of high-complexity testing and genomics in healthcare.
Key topics include:
- From Data to Decisions: Examining how AI and machine learning enable real-time genomic analysis, dismantle data silos and deliver actionable insights for patient care.
- Integrated Diagnostics in Action: Highlighting the convergence of genomics, pathology, and radiology to streamline diagnostics and personalize treatment strategies.
- Scaling Precision Medicine: Addressing bottlenecks in genomic testing to make high-complexity assays faster, more scalable and clinically impactful.
- Operationalizing Genomics: Offering real-world strategies for integrating genomic data into healthcare systems, balancing innovation with clinical workflows and regulatory requirements.
- Future Frontiers: Exploring how automation, AI, and multiomics are driving the next wave of innovation in precision oncology and beyond.
This talk will provide healthcare professionals, researchers and industry leaders with actionable insights and strategies to harness machine-driven advancements in genomics, enabling faster diagnostic workflows, improved patient outcomes and seamless integration of cutting-edge technologies into clinical practice.
Sponsor
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The Devil’s in The Data: Tools for Modelling Genomic Data and Models for Extracting Clinical Data
- Brief overview of a tool to reduce sparse genomic data dimensionality and provide a gene-level pathogenic score (GenePy) for all individuals for all genes - Snapshot of GenePy tool attributes for rare disease, common disease and quantitative traits
- Brief overview of large language model application to 30,000+ histopathology and imaging records to generate standardised data fit for integration with genomics data
[topic] GENERATIVE AI & LLMS
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GALILEO: Roche's Global Generative AI & LLM Strategy
- Overview of GALILEO
- Strategies for implementation, review, and scale-up
- Early insights and future directions
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Strategies for Transforming LLM Technology to Create More Effective Solutions in Drug Development
- Small vs. Large Language Models on private data and domain specific tasks.
- The financial impact of tuning, deploying and maintaining SLMs.
- An overview of some real-world applications of SLMs in the pharma industry.
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The World of Foundation Models & Generative AI in Drug Development
- Non-clinical safety evaluation is fundamental to drug development and is richly multimodal
- Emergence of large scale foundation models enables data-efficient multimodal analyses for preclinical studies
- Scale-up of generative AI can revolutionise safety studies, mitigate animal testing, and unlock substantial patient value
[topic] NETWORKING BREAK & POSTER PRESENTATIONS
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Poster Presentations
Imaging Genetics of Brain Structure Change in Adolescence Are Underpinned by Transcriptional Programmes of Neurodevelopment
- Richard Dear, PhD Student, University of Cambridge
A Single-cell Co-culture CRISPR Screening Platform to Perturb the Intercellular Communication Between Cancer-associated Fibroblasts and the Colorectal Cancer Epithelia
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Corinne Molyneux, PhD student, University College London
Speakers
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[break] Break
- Speed Networking: Fun and useful sessions where you’ll rapidly meet other Festival attendees to immediately expand your network
- Food Options: Grab a sandwich at The Tree of Life Cafe or head on over to the Food Village for a range of hot food options, including Indian, Jamaican and Lebanese food
- Exhibition Floor: Wander around the vibrant exhibition floor to see the latest technologies and services on offer.
- Talkaoke: The Flying Saucer of Chat, a fun and interactive pop-up show that offers you the opportunity to sit down with others and discuss any topic you like
[topic] THE FUTURE OF AI IN HEALTHCARE
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Panel: How Can AI Transform Healthcare In 2025 And Beyond?
- How do we navigate this critical time point where advances in AI are rapid and implementation is challenging while remaining optimistic for the future?
- How can we overcome challenges with adoption and unlock the next frontier for better patient outcomes?
- What needs to be done going forward to make AI more accessible and reliable?
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Start-Up Pitching Competition
More details to be announced shortly.