For our next talk, in the BDI/CHG (gen)omics Seminar series, we will be hearing from Professor Philip Awadalla, Professor of Molecular Genetics, University of Oxford and National Scientifics Director, CanPath. We’re delighted to host Philip in what promises to be a great talk!

Date: Tuesday 28 October
Time: 9:30 – 10:30
Talk title: Integrating Multi-omics, Single-cell Interrogations and Population Cohorts to Capture the Earliest Determinants of Cancer and Aging
Location: BDI/OxPop seminar room 0

Biography
Philip Awadalla is the Professor of Molecular Genetics at the Nuffield Department of Population Health, as well as the Big Data Institute at the University of Oxford. Philip also serves as the National Scientific Director of CanPath (Canadian Partnership for Tomorrow’s Health). Previously, he was a Professor at the University of Toronto, and the University of Montreal Ste Justine Children’s Hospital where he was Director of the CARTaGENE cohort in Quebec. Philip and his team have expertise in population genomics, computational biology, and epidemiology. The research focus of his team is on healthy aging, early cancer detection, and the evolution of somatic mutations.

Abstract
The earliest molecular events that drive disease and aging often remain hidden until clinical onset, yet these processes leave detectable traces across the genome, epigenome, and transcriptome. In this talk, I will present our integrative research program that combines multi-omic profiling (genomic, epigenomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data), single-cell and spatial interrogation of tissues, and large-scale population cohorts to identify early signatures of disease and biological aging. Drawing on resources such as CanPath, the Ontario Health Study, and UK Biobank, we are linking blood-based and tissue-based molecular signatures with environmental exposures, ancestry, and longitudinal health outcomes. I will highlight examples including the use of cell-free DNA and clonal hematopoiesis as early biomarkers of somatic evolution, and single-cell multi-omics to resolve transcriptional states underlying early tumorigenesis. Together, these approaches illustrate how integrating deep molecular profiling with population-based cohorts provides a unique opportunity to uncover the earliest determinants of disease, define mechanisms of resilience, and inform strategies for precision prevention and healthy aging.
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All members of the University are welcome to join, please let reception at BDI know you’re here for the seminar and sign-in. We hope you can join us!

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To be added, ping genomics_bdi_whg-subscribe@maillist.ox.ac.uk (with any message), you should get a bounce-back with three options to confirm your subscription. Follow any of those options, and with a bit of luck you should be signed up!

As a reminder, the (gen)omics seminar series runs every other Tuesday morning and is intended to increase interaction between individuals working in genomics across Oxford. We encourage in-person attendance where possible. There is time for discussion over, tea, coffee and pastries after the talks.

Hybrid Option:
Please note that these meetings are closed meetings and only open to members of the University of Oxford to encourage sharing of new and unpublished data. Please respect our speakers and do not share the link with anyone outside of the university.

Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 323 578 354 925 3
Passcode: mo9K7Vk3
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