On our radar - ICGMB in Cape Town

The International Conference on Genetics and Molecular Biology comes to Cape Town soon. Celtic unpacks what to expect.

What is likely to be the conference focus?

Look out for five major areas of interest for the molecular diagnostics community:

1. African genomic diversity. How the use of high-throughput sequencing helps tailor medical treatments to individual genetic profiles. The conference emphasis in April will specifically be on African genomic diversity.
   
   
2. Gene-editing technologies. The conference will see the latest advancements in gene-editing technologies and discuss their roles in treating hereditary diseases and improving agricultural resilience.
   
   
3. Advances in diagnostic tools. Recent innovations in rapid, cost-effective diagnostic tools for infectious diseases and oncology will be profiled, critical for global health equity.
   
   
4. AI integration. The use of machine learning will be explored. Specifically its ability to analyse massive biological datasets, predict protein folding and identify novel drug targets.
   
   
5. Environment. The conference will highlight how environmental factors influence gene expression without changing the DNA sequence, a key area for understanding chronic diseases.

What are we likely to get out of the conference?

Crucially, collaborations; ICGMB's oft expressed emphasis is on establishing international partnerships between the Global North and African research hubs. Post USAid, this is the first time local and regional players can discuss the way forward in person.

Research reveals.

Expect important research to be published, specifically Assessing Genetic Diversity in Africa's detailed analysis of their flagship project: over 1000 new African genomes have been added to global databases, and the conference will be the first major platform to see and debate these novel genetic variants.

Equally important to the African context expect research identifying specific genetic markers for non-communicable diseases (diabetes, heart disease, and cancer) within underrepresented African populations.