From Cells to Systems: Regenerating Organs, Reversing Disease, and Reimagining Life
Overview
The convergence of genomics, data science, and systems biology is revolutionizing the way we understand, prevent, and treat disease. This panel delves into the transformative potential of genomic technologies in enabling personalized medicine, where clinical decisions and therapeutic interventions are tailored to the individual’s genetic makeup, and precision public health, where population-level health strategies are guided by genomic insights.
Rapid advances in next-generation sequencing (NGS), genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and multi-omic integration have made it possible to identify disease susceptibilities, predict treatment responses, and uncover complex gene-environment interactions. These tools are reshaping the future of diagnostics, targeted therapies, and preventive care. Moreover, large-scale genomic surveillance can inform the management of infectious outbreaks, antimicrobial resistance, and chronic disease burden across diverse populations.
The session will critically examine the integration of genomics into clinical workflows, the role of AI and bioinformatics in translating complex genomic data into actionable insights, and the ethical frameworks necessary to ensure equity, privacy, and responsible data use. Attention will also be given to infrastructural and policy requirements for low- and middle-income countries to effectively adopt genomic medicine.
This panel provides a platform for interdisciplinary dialogue—uniting scientists, clinicians, data experts, ethicists, and public health leaders—to explore how genomic innovations can drive the next frontier of healthcare and create more predictive, preventive, and personalized systems of care.
Key Discussion Points:
- The integration of genomic data into clinical decision-making
- Ethical, legal, and social implications of genomics in population health
- Advancements in genetic screening and disease susceptibility prediction
- Role of bioinformatics and AI in analyzing large-scale genomic datasets
- Building public health strategies rooted in genomic surveillance
- Accessibility, affordability, and equity challenges in genomic healthcare
Panelists
Dr. Shahid Mahmood Baig
Hilal-i-Imtiaz, Sitara-i-Imtiaz
Dr. Baig is a distinguished geneticist and science leader from Pakistan, recognized for his pioneering work in human molecular genetics and genetic disease prevention. With a PhD in prenatal diagnosis of β-thalassemia and postdoctoral research at Duke University and King Saud University, his career spans over three decades in academia, research, and science policy. He has held prestigious positions including Chairman of the Pakistan Science Foundation and Advisor to OIC-COMSTECH. Dr. Baig has published extensively in high-impact journals, discovered numerous disease genes, and mentored over 39 PhD scholars. His vision is to advance precision medicine and establish a National Center for Genomic Medicine in Pakistan.