- Professor Eamonn Maher is the Dean of Aston Medical School
- His inaugural lecture is entitled ‘Rare diseases and Genomics: Past, Present and Future
- Professor Maher is an expert in medical genetics and genomic medicine.
The Dean of Aston Medical School will give a public lecture on rare genetic diseases and new insights from genomics at Aston University on 6 June 2024.
Professor Eamonn Maher joined Aston University in October 2023 from the Department of Medical Genetics at University of Cambridge. He has published extensively on rare diseases and genomics in the fields of cancer genetics, human developmental genetics, epigenetics and genomic imprinting.
Rare diseases are defined as disorders affecting fewer than 1 in 2000 people, but with more than 7,000 known rare diseases, collectively they affect a significant number of people.
Historically the diagnosis of rare diseases has often been delayed and treatment options limited, but about 80% of rare diseases have a genetic basis and advances in genomic technologies such as genome sequencing are now enabling earlier diagnosis and providing insights into potential treatments for some disorders.
In his lecture, Professor Maher will draw upon his experience as a clinical geneticist and researcher to illustrate how analysing the genetic basis of rare diseases can provide critical insights into the causes both rare and common diseases and lead to the development of novel approaches to treatment.
Professor Maher said:
“As well as reviewing the impact of our research, I will also look at current challenges in clinical genomics and explore the role of genomic medicine in future health care.”
The lecture on 6 June 2024 will take place at 18:30 GMT in the Susan Cadbury Lecture Theatre at Aston Business School. For tickets please visit the Eventbrite page. The lecture will also be streamed online. The event is free of charge and will be followed by a drinks reception.
- Notes to editors
About Aston University
For over a century, Aston University’s enduring purpose has been to make our world a better place through education, research and innovation, by enabling our students to succeed in work and life, and by supporting our communities to thrive economically, socially and culturally.
Aston University’s history has been intertwined with the history of Birmingham, a remarkable city that once was the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and the manufacturing powerhouse of the world.
Born out of the First Industrial Revolution, Aston University has a proud and distinct heritage dating back to our formation as the School of Metallurgy in 1875, the first UK College of Technology in 1951, gaining university status by Royal Charter in 1966, and becoming the Guardian University of the Year in 2020.
Building on our outstanding past, we are now defining our place and role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.
For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Helen Tunnicliffe, Press and Communications Manager, on (+44) 7827 090240 or email: h.tunnicliffe@aston.ac.uk.
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