Huntsville, Ala. — HudsonAlpha will advance physicians’ and researchers’ knowledge of genomic medicine at the inaugural Genomic Medicine Conference August 8-10, 2016, at its campus in Huntsville. The conference is an interdisciplinary and international program focused on genomic medicine in a clinical setting.
In addition to the scientific educational tracks, the conference features two unique tracks aimed at adult adoptees and individuals with rare and undiagnosed diseases– and the opportunity to have their genomes sequenced.
“When you go to the doctor, there’s always that section about your family history, but what if you were adopted and don’t have access to that information?” asked Kimberly Strong, PhD, HudsonAlpha faculty bioethicist and a conference organizer. “Family health history information often helps guide physicians caring for patients by providing insight to conditions that can be screened for. Through genome sequencing, adoptees may be able to answer some of those health-related genetic risk questions.”
The rare disease track will focus on the use of whole genome sequencing for a diagnosis. For both non-scientist tracks, sessions will include information about ethical, social and legal aspects of genomics, as well as interpreting genomic findings that could impact families.
The Genomic Medicine Conference will also bring together physicians, healthcare professionals, researchers and students who will discuss new findings and best practices in the field of genomic medicine.
“Your DNA is basically your human blueprint. The genomic sequence contains relevant, valuable information that can inform your future health-related decision making,” said Howard Jacob, PhD; executive vice president for genomic medicine at HudsonAlpha. “We are seeing genomics move quickly into clinical practice, and I believe it will fundamentally change the way we practice medicine. At this conference, professionals and the lay audience alike will have the opportunity to learn more about genomic medicine, from the scientific through the practical,” he continued.
Along with Drs. Strong and Jacob, HudsonAlpha faculty investigators Greg Cooper, PhD; and Shawn Levy, PhD; certified genetic counselor Kelly East and bioethicist Tom May, PhD; are organizing the conference.
For more information and to register, visit http://hudsonalpha.org/genomicmedicineconference/.
About HudsonAlpha: HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology is a nonprofit institute dedicated to innovating in the field of genomic technology and sciences across a spectrum of biological challenges. Founded in 2008, its mission is four-fold: sparking scientific discoveries that can impact human health and well-being; bringing genomic medicine into clinical care; fostering life sciences entrepreneurship and business growth; and encouraging the creation of a genomics-literate workforce and society. The HudsonAlpha biotechnology campus consists of 152 acres nestled within Cummings Research Park, the nation’s second largest research park. Designed to be a hothouse of biotech economic development, HudsonAlpha’s state-of-the-art facilities co-locate nonprofit scientific researchers with entrepreneurs and educators. The relationships formed on the HudsonAlpha campus encourage collaborations that produce advances in medicine and agriculture. Under the leadership of Dr. Richard M. Myers, a key collaborator on the Human Genome Project, HudsonAlpha has become a national and international leader in genetics and genomics research and biotech education, and includes 32 diverse biotech companies on campus. To learn more about HudsonAlpha, visit: http://hudsonalpha.org/.
Media Contact:
Margetta Thomas
256-327-0425
mthomas@hudsonalpha.org
