Faculty Seminar Jacques Fellay: Genomic insights into infectious diseases: from variants to clinical applications
Event details
| Date | 19.06.2025 |
| Hour | 12:15 › 13:15 |
| Speaker | Prof Jacques Fellay |
| Location |
SV 1717
Online
|
| Category | Conferences - Seminars |
| Event Language | English |
Abstract
Advances in human genomics have improved our understanding of infectious disease susceptibility, illuminating the biological basis for individual variability in pathogen response. My research group has pioneered the transition from targeted genetic investigations to comprehensive multi-omic approaches in this field. Our work spans the continuum from identifying causative variants in rare, severe infectious conditions to characterizing the genetic architecture underlying population-level immune variation and common infectious diseases. We've broadened our analytical framework beyond human genomics to incorporate pathogen genetic data, as well as transcriptomic and metabolomic profiles, capturing the complex dynamics of host-pathogen interactions. Recently, we've implemented AI-based analytical methods to analyze complex patterns within large datasets, revealing previously undetected associations between genetic factors, biomarkers, and clinical outcomes. These integrated methodologies are reshaping our understanding of how genetic variation influences individual immune signatures and infection susceptibility, with implications for developing targeted preventive strategies and personalised therapeutic interventions.
BIO
Jacques Fellay is an Associate Professor at EPFL and University of Lausanne, also serving as Director of the CHUV precision medicine unit and as Chief Scientist at the Geneva-based Health 2030 Genome Center. He received his MD from the University of Lausanne and his PhD from Utrecht University. After clinical training in internal medicine and infectious diseases, he developed expertise in human genomics and bioinformatics during his postdoctoral work at Duke University. His research focuses on deciphering the molecular foundations of individual variations in immunity and infection responses, with the ultimate goal of translating genomic discoveries into clinical applications. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he provided scientific guidance as a member of the Swiss national COVID-19 science task force and leader of EPFL's COVID scientific task force. He received several awards, including the National Latsis Prize and the Leenaards Prize for translational medical research.
This seminar is part of the evaluation of Prof Fellay for the promotion to Full Professor.
Advances in human genomics have improved our understanding of infectious disease susceptibility, illuminating the biological basis for individual variability in pathogen response. My research group has pioneered the transition from targeted genetic investigations to comprehensive multi-omic approaches in this field. Our work spans the continuum from identifying causative variants in rare, severe infectious conditions to characterizing the genetic architecture underlying population-level immune variation and common infectious diseases. We've broadened our analytical framework beyond human genomics to incorporate pathogen genetic data, as well as transcriptomic and metabolomic profiles, capturing the complex dynamics of host-pathogen interactions. Recently, we've implemented AI-based analytical methods to analyze complex patterns within large datasets, revealing previously undetected associations between genetic factors, biomarkers, and clinical outcomes. These integrated methodologies are reshaping our understanding of how genetic variation influences individual immune signatures and infection susceptibility, with implications for developing targeted preventive strategies and personalised therapeutic interventions.
BIO
Jacques Fellay is an Associate Professor at EPFL and University of Lausanne, also serving as Director of the CHUV precision medicine unit and as Chief Scientist at the Geneva-based Health 2030 Genome Center. He received his MD from the University of Lausanne and his PhD from Utrecht University. After clinical training in internal medicine and infectious diseases, he developed expertise in human genomics and bioinformatics during his postdoctoral work at Duke University. His research focuses on deciphering the molecular foundations of individual variations in immunity and infection responses, with the ultimate goal of translating genomic discoveries into clinical applications. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he provided scientific guidance as a member of the Swiss national COVID-19 science task force and leader of EPFL's COVID scientific task force. He received several awards, including the National Latsis Prize and the Leenaards Prize for translational medical research.
This seminar is part of the evaluation of Prof Fellay for the promotion to Full Professor.
Practical information
- Informed public
- Free
Organizer
- Deanship SV
Contact
- Manuelle Mary