Entering The Era of ”Phenomics”
We are living truly exciting times—a moment where the changes we’ve been discussing and dreaming of are suddenly coming together. It’s like contemplating a garden of hope for years and suddenly the doors are open, and we’re already inside!
The importance of genomics in personalising healthcare has been extensively discussed in recent years. We have also emphasized the significance of epigenetic factors and all the omics, which at times have the propensity to turn the effects of certain genes on and off.
We have reached a point where we can assess and optimise the health trajectory of each individual. We now also know that the genetic makeup of a person is not the sole determinant of this trajectory, and we can usually influence people’s health paths by adjusting their behaviours and adopting less risky habits.
This significant leap forward is embodied in the “phenome,” which encompasses a series of measurements that evolve over time and are influenced by what we do and how we live our lives. We are entering an era where the ability to consistently profile the phenome over time can be leveraged to effectively help individuals recognise the benefits of adjusting their behaviours and adopting healthier habits.
The phenome can be considered to be made up of various components, including the epigenome, proteome, metabolome, and microbiome. While all these components can be measured individually, there is currently no universally agreed-upon single method for assessing the impact of their combination. I sense the era of the phenome as the key to preventing, monitoring, and managing non-communicable diseases is approaching rapidly. We can anticipate individuals routinely undergoing measurements of various phenomic components as part of monitoring these diseases. The concept of regular “phenomic snapshots” will mark the advent of precision health for both primary and secondary prevention.
We are thrilled to announce that the esteemed expert Prof. Leroy Hood will be joining us at Radical Health Festival Helsinki on May 21-23 to dive deeper into the realm of phenomics. His profound knowledge and insights are paving the way for exciting advancements ahead. This is truly a remarkable holiday present for all radical enthusiasts attending the event and passionate about Deploying Prevention and Precision at Scale. Happy holidays and remember: it’s critical to be radical!
– Dr. Charles Alessi, Chief Clinical Officer of éditohealth and Steering Committee member of Radical Health Festival
