Horizons in Medicine and Biology: The Human Disease Revolution – How Genomic Technologies Have Changed the Way We Diagnose, Predict, and Treat Human Diseases
In her lectio magistralis, Professor Nicole Soranzo illustrates how genomic technologies have transformed the understanding and treatment of human diseases. From the first genome-wide studies to the latest innovations—such as multi-omic technologies, single-cell sequencing, and large-scale genomic libraries—genomics has revolutionized medicine, paving the way for more accurate diagnoses and personalized therapies.
Through concrete examples, Soranzo shows how these tools allow for the early identification of disease risks and improvements in patient care. The lecture also addresses the ethical and social challenges associated with the use of genomic data, envisioning a future in which such data are fully integrated into healthcare.
Biography
Nicole Soranzo graduated with honors in Biological Sciences from the University of Milan and earned a PhD in Genetics and Biotechnology in Dundee. She has conducted research in Italy, the UK, and the USA. Following both academic and industry experience, she has led a research group at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute since 2007.
Since 2021, she has been heading the Population and Medical Genomics Unit at Human Technopole in Milan. She is also a professor at the University of Cambridge, where she was appointed Chair of Human Genetics in 2017. Internationally recognized, she has received numerous awards and is the author of over 300 scientific publications.