Many are aware that “-omics” is derived from -ome, meaning “whole,” giving us one of our favorite focuses in life science: genomics. However, genomics is a single variable and is somewhat of a static snapshot of our biological status.

Multi-omics is a dynamic and pivotal step in delivering modern, personalised, precision medicine, and encompasses many foci: proteomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, metabolomics, microbiomics, and, of course, genomics. Each –omic provides valuable information about and differences associated with an individual or disease state. However, the analysis of only one data type has its limitations. Multi-omics is the layered measurement and integration of these various foci of information to better understand mechanisms of disease, discover new druggable targets, and create more targeted medical interventions.

As life sciences gravitate towards personalised treatments and precision medicines, the “one size fits all” approaches of classic drug development no longer apply. The –omics field has been driven largely by technological advances that allow for cost-efficient, high-throughput analysis of biologic molecules at grand scale, thus enabling the discovery of new biomarkers and biological pathways, as well as better understanding of disease progression and drug resistance. However, big challenges exist in –omics with regards to large-scale data analytics requiring not only skilled manpower, but also substantial and difficult-to-find investments.

This session will be led by Iceland, a country with deep roots in –omics, from science to commercialization. In it, we will investigate the current explorations of Multi-omics in academic and business settings across the Nordics, and we will discuss the ways in which –omics plays a role in life sciences today vs. what the future holds in both funding and success.