The Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences Training and Research Unit (UFR SPB) of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny (UFHB) University, in collaboration with the YTO Foundation, held a conference-discussion on the topic "Pharmacogenomics and its applications". The event, scheduled for the 15th of December 2023, was part of their joint commitment to building capacity in molecular genetics and genomics in Côte d'Ivoire.
Scientific collaboration for the sake of healthcare
UFR SPB and the YTO Foundation, hand in hand
The partnership between the UFR SPB and the YTO Foundation reflects their ambition to make Côte d'Ivoire a center of excellence in biomedical research and training. The YTO Foundation, dedicated to promoting precision medicine, intends to contribute to the improvement of public health through innovative molecular biology and genomic techniques.
For the UFR SPB, this partnership is part of their commitment to meet public health challenges through research and innovation in the biomedical field. The goal is to enrich the knowledge of healthcare professionals on cutting-edge subjects such as pharmacogenomics.
Pharmacogenomics: A Medical Revolution
Pharmacogenomics is a fast-growing discipline that analyzes the influence of genes on individual's response to drugs. This approach makes it possible to personalize treatments, by adapting prescriptions to patients' genetic characteristics. As a result, pharmacogenomics reduces the risk of side effects and improves treatment efficacy, particularly in complex pathologies.
Professor David Okou, Clinical Molecular Geneticist at Emory University (USA) and Vice-President of the YTO Foundation, was the speaker. A recognized expert in the genetics of complex diseases, Professor Okou shared concrete examples of the applications of pharmacogenomics and the major advances it promises for healthcare in Africa.
A Conference Open to Healthcare Professionals
La conférence s’adresse à un public diversifié de professionnels de la santé : pharmaciens, médecins, chercheurs et assureurs. L’objectif est de renforcer leurs connaissances sur l’importance de la pharmacogénomique et ses applications potentielles dans la pratique quotidienne. Les participants seront invités à réfléchir sur l’intégration de cette nouvelle discipline dans les protocoles de soins locaux afin de maximiser l’efficacité des traitements et de réduire les coûts liés aux soins de santé.
Vers un Futur Médical Personnalisé
This conference marks the first in a series of events organized by the UFR SPB and the YTO Foundation to promote precision medicine in Côte d'Ivoire. Ultimately, these initiatives aim to establish a solid foundation for biomedical research in Africa and offer local populations personalized care tailored to their specific genetic makeup.
Drawing on his experience in the United States, Professor Okou's ambition is to develop genomic medicine in Côte d'Ivoire to fill the genomic diversity gap in medicine and biomedical research. This will not only improve treatments for African populations, but also contribute to beneficial discoveries on a global scale.
Agenda
The conference was held on December 15, 2023 at the UFR SPB of the Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny and was determinant for the progress in medicine in Côte d'Ivoire. Participants had the opportunity to discover a discipline at the cutting edge of biomedical research, and to discuss the issues raised by pharmacogenomics in clinical practice. Healthcare professionals participated in this key event!
Date: Friday, December 15, 2023 Time: 10:00 AM (UT) Venue: Conference room, UFR SPB, Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny, Cocody.
This event marked the start of a series of promising initiatives to improve healthcare in Côte d'Ivoire and on the African continent.
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