The Omics Days Conference

AFBI recently hosted an important conference at its Headquarters in Newforge Lane, Belfast attracting attendees from a wide variety of disciplines.

The ‘Omics Days’ conference was held over 3 days, with a rich and focused program, covering various Omics research topics at the forefront of AFBI’s current scientific interest and corporate values.

The first two days of the conference covered a series of plenary talks and short talks delivered by keynote speakers and experts actively contributing to the development and application of Omics technologies.

Q&A sessions and panel exchanges were led by AFBI’s principal research actors, inducing objective discussions and assessment of the impact of Omics on research and statutory testing.

On Day 1, after plenary talks there was a panel discussion on “How Omics are shaping research on pathogens and statutory efforts” with Dr Ryan Devaney (AFBI), Dr Adrian Allen (AFBI), Dr Richard O’Hanlon (DAFM), and Dr Hadj Ahmed Belaouni (AFBI) taking questions from the in-person and online audience.

Following up on questions from attendees, speakers discussed whether TB could be eradicated from Ireland; if there was an increase in virulence of TB over time; a dialog about the challenges of performing high throughput sequencing (and omics more generally) and access to hardware and software necessary to complete analyses; and the potential of Ireland (both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland) to be a leader in Omics.

On the second day, the panel discussion was centred on “How Omics are improving Agri-food systems and environmental research”. This panel discussion included Dr Simon Cameron (Queen’s University Belfast), Dr Adam Gauley (AFBI), and Dr Ozan Gundogdu (The London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine) taking questions from the in-person and online audience. Speakers emphasized how Omics technologies are getting cheaper & better, bringing a huge benefit at all levels of biological sciences.

The benefits of integrative multi-Omics in answering complex biological questions were also brought to the attention of the audience. The concept of precision breeding was introduced during the discussion as well. There were extensive exchanges and positive feedback on how omics are helping to decipher the origins of pathogens, along with how AI is currently leveraging research in life sciences.

The attendees enjoyed networking during the breaks, filled with informal discussions about how Omics are contributing to understanding living organisms and foster sustainability in agri-food systems.

The third day of the Omics Days was dedicated to a workshop on genome-based study of microorganisms’ relatedness, delivered by Dr Hadj Ahmed Belaouni, Dr Michael Stevenson and Mr Andrew McClure.

This conference was driven by the active participation of in person and remote participants, taking part to intense Q&A sessions and panel discussions.

The organizers thanked the attendees and speakers for their continuous focus and engagement throughout the Omics Days. Despite time constraints, the curiosity and genuine attention from participants have established am effective networking atmosphere.

Participants have stated their strong interest in potential internal and external collaborations in AFBI, which we believe will undoubtedly foster excellence in the practice of Omics research at AFBI.

Notes to editors: 

AFBI is an arms-length body of DAERA delivering research and development, diagnostic and analytical testing, emergency response capability and expert scientific advice for DAERA and other government departments, public bodies and commercial companies in Northern Ireland, and further afield.

AFBI’s Vision is “Scientific excellence delivering impactful and sustainable outcomes for society, economy and the natural environment”.

AFBI’s Purpose is to deliver trusted, independent research, statutory & surveillance science, and expert advice that addresses local and global challenges, informs government policy and industry decision making, and underpins a sustainable agri-food industry and the natural and marine environments.

AFBI’s strategic priorities:

• Leading improvements in the agri-food industry to enhance its sustainability;
• Protecting animal, plant and human health;
• Enhancing the natural and marine environment;
• Delivering quality outcomes and impact;
• Enabling world class science through excellence in people, places & technology.

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