Personal Genome Computing: Breakthroughs, Risks and Opportunities

"Technology breakthroughs are making DNA sequencing faster and cheaper than ever. In its top ten list of 2008 scientific breakthroughs that broke through with the potential for lasting impact, Science magazine included technology that has blown the doors off genome sequencing. In Nature magazines list of the top news stories of 2008, "Personal genomics goes mainstream" came in second. With the cost of DNA sequencing plummeting, the emergence of "molecular sequencing" platforms has forever changed the field of genetics.

A new paradigm appears on the horizon. Personal genome information will be used not just for health maintenance, disease diagnosis, and treatment, but will also be the foundation for lifestyle applications from shopping for food, to buying cosmetics, to assessing ones environment and making choices about fabrics, places - even friends.

This panel of Silicon Valley players and innovators of new business models examines the dynamic business and investment opportunities as well as the risks, global competition, regulatory and legal challenges, new individual contributor roles, and leading alliances emerging from Silicon Valley and beyond.

Silicon Valley changed the world as the driving force in the development of computers and the internet. Could we play a similar role in advancing a genome-based economy?". Panelists:

•Linda Avey, Founder, 23andMe.
•David Medina, HP Chief Technologist, Worldwide Health & Life Sciences
•Karoly Nikolich., Dievini Hopp Biotech Holding, CEO of Amnestix
•Andras Pellionisz, founder, International Hologenomics Society and HolGenTech
•Dietrich Stephan, founder, Navigenics, founder of Amnestix

Moderator:
•Phyllis Whiteley, Mohr-Davidow Ventures

Sponsor/Organizer:
•Gutenberg Communications: Suzanne Matick, Principal, Los Gatos Office

Churchill Club
Thursday January 22, 2009, Palo Alto, CA
www.churchillclub.org

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• genome based economy
• molecular sequencing
• affordable DNA
• genome computing
• genome computer
• Linda Avey
• 23andMe
• David Medina
• HP
• Andras Pellionisz
• Dietrich Stephan
• Navigenics
• Phyllis Whiteley
• Mohr Davidow

[Takasenda]

This is the exciting moment as well as the beginning of new era in Biotech. Taka

[julesruis]

I hope that this meeting will be the start of a booming Genome-Based-Economy (GBE). Worldwide connections are necessary. The Netherlands are ready to commit.

[Pellionisz]

Genome Based Economy is already global. International PostGenetics Society (as an avant-guard organization) became the first to have officially abandoned obsolete dogma Oct. 12, 2006 in Budapest - 8 months before US-lead ENCODE made the paradigm-shift "US-approved" 2007. PostGenetics Soc. became "mainstream" by morphing into Internat'l HoloGenomics Soc., IHGS, 2008. EU launched Epigenome NOE, followed by Epigenome Roadmap by US (NIH 2009). See overview "Google Tech Talk" YouTube by "Pellionisz"

[dlnelson4808]

Clearly Silicon Valley can contribute, but this is indeed a worldwide effort. The remarkable tradition of entrepreneurship in SV will certainly make a huge difference, but the genomics expertise can be found in many locations. Very interesting program--thanks for posting!

[sooyoungleeKAIST]

I agree it is a starting of a new research paradign which may change the world.

To achoeve the goal I also would like to emphasize the need of multidisciplinary education for younger researchers with wide background such as biology, computer science, engineering, mathematics, etc.