On Tuesday, September 22, 2026, ISN Medical hosted the inaugural ISN Life Sciences Forum in Dakar, Senegal, under the theme “Multi-Omics for Africa.” The forum brought together researchers, public health professionals and experts in the biological sciences to explore how emerging technologies and stronger research capacity can contribute to greater scientific and healthcare impact across the continent.
The conversation brought together some of ISN Medical’s global life sciences partners, including Illumina, Tecan, Corning and Revvity, companies supporting research and laboratory science through technologies spanning genomics, laboratory automation and other areas of life sciences.
For ISN Medical, the objective was not simply to introduce new technologies, but to explore how these tools can be effectively applied within African research and healthcare contexts. The forum created a space for researchers and other stakeholders to consider what is possible when advanced technologies are combined with local expertise, stronger research capacity and the right partnerships.
The forum brought together professionals from institutions including public health surveillance organisations, hospitals, universities and the media. Across the discussions, one theme emerged clearly: multi-omics presents an opportunity to understand health challenges more comprehensively by bringing together different layers of biological data.
In his keynote address, Dr. Moussa Diagne, virologist and researcher at the Institut Pasteur de Dakar, highlighted the importance of integrating multiple layers of biological information – including genomics, proteomics, and transcriptomics – to build a more sustainable approach to addressing healthcare challenges. He also emphasised the importance of partnerships in translating scientific possibilities into practical implementation in Africa, for Africa.
Speaking on the significance of the forum, Rodolphe Vetchenou, Director of Life Sciences at ISN Medical, said the initiative aims to promote the effective adoption of cutting-edge technologies by African researchers while strengthening local research capacity.
For ISN Medical, the conversation does not end with the forum. The ambition is to continue connecting African researchers and institutions with the technologies, expertise, and partnerships needed to advance life sciences research and translate scientific innovation into meaningful impact for African populations.