In a landmark event on November 12, 2024, IIT Bombay hosted a one-day symposium titled “Pioneering the Future of Healthcare and Diagnostics Using 4D Omics,” organized by the Proteomics Lab, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering (BSBE). The event showcased groundbreaking advancements in 4D-proteomics and 4D omics, areas primed to revolutionize diagnostics and personalized healthcare.

The event was graced by actress Mahima Chaudhry, who attended as a special guest and shared her deeply personal connection to the symposium’s focus on cancer diagnostics. As a breast cancer survivor, Chaudhry expressed her pride in joining the symposium to raise awareness of this cutting-edge technology that has potential to enhance early diagnosis and improve treatment outcomes for cancer patients. “Cancer is a subject incredibly close to my heart,” Chaudhry stated, “and I am honored to be here to witness the launch of such an impactful technology. The 4D Omics platform, especially with its promise for more targeted cancer diagnostics, represents a beacon of hope for countless individuals and families impacted by this disease.”

Professor Sanjeeva Srivastava, the convener of the event and an esteemed expert in proteomics, highlighted the importance of 4D omics technology in advancing healthcare and diagnostics, particularly for cancers and chronic diseases. “4D omics adds a crucial temporal dimension to biomolecular research,” explained Prof. Srivastava. “By integrating genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics with time-sensitive analysis, researchers can gain unprecedented insights into the progression of diseases and the effectiveness of therapies. This symposium and the launch of the timsTOF 4D-proteomics setup, the first of its kind in India, are significant steps towards improving healthcare outcomes.”

Attendees of the symposium had the opportunity to engage with plenary speakers, including Chief Guest Dr. Balram Bhargava, former Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and Dr. Judith Steen from Harvard Medical School. Dr. Bhargava remarked on the immense potential of 4D omics technology, stating, “The integration of multi-dimensional omics data opens doors to more precise and personalized medicine. It will play a pivotal role in transforming cancer diagnostics and maternal and child healthcare.”

The symposium offered attendees hands-on workshops on advanced omics technologies and panel discussions led by renowned clinicians and industry experts. The event also marked the official launch of India’s first timsTOF 4D-proteomics setup with EvoSep chromatography, established by Proteomica International Pvt Ltd., a startup by Prof. Srivastava and IIT Bombay alumnus Dr. Arghya Banerjee. This state-of-the-art equipment, developed in collaboration with the Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) at IIT Bombay, is poised to make significant contributions to India’s healthcare diagnostics capabilities.

In addition to its impact on cancer diagnostics, the symposium focused on the role of 4D omics in enhancing maternal and child health and supporting preventive wellness. This multi-layered approach is expected to help track molecular changes over time, offering deeper insights into disease mechanisms, progression, and therapeutic responses.

Mahima Chaudhry lauded the commitment of IIT Bombay and the scientists involved in this initiative, saying, “The potential of 4D omics technology is astounding. It gives me hope and fills me with pride to see such groundbreaking advancements happening here in India, at IIT Bombay. I believe this technology will truly transform healthcare, not just for cancer patients but for everyone.”

The symposium drew a diverse audience of researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals, all eager to explore how 4D omics technology can shape the future of personalized medicine and targeted treatment. For more details, please visit the 4D Omics Symposium website at www.4domics.in.