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A pivotal moment for shaping the future of healthcare
Professor Colleen E. Clancy, Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Precision Medicine: Health and Disease
“The Journal emerges at a pivotal moment, where breakthroughs in massive multimodal data collection, artificial intelligence and advanced computational technologies are converging to redefine how we understand, diagnose, and treat disease.”
Professor Colleen E. Clancy
As the inaugural Editor-in-Chief of The Journal of Precision Medicine: Health and Disease, I am thrilled to share the vision of our dynamic new platform dedicated to novel interdisciplinary research to advance the field of precision medicine.
The journal emerges at a pivotal moment, where breakthroughs in massive multimodal data collection, artificial intelligence and advanced computational technologies are converging to redefine how we understand, diagnose, and treat disease. One of the most exciting developments in the field today is the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in precision medicine.
AI technologies enable the analysis of massive multimodal datasets with unprecedented speed and accuracy, providing insights that were previously beyond reach. By integrating complex data from genomics, imaging, electronic health records, and even synthetic data, AI is unlocking new possibilities for understanding disease mechanisms, predicting therapeutic outcomes, and personalising treatments. The journal is committed to highlighting these advancements, showcasing how AI and computational innovations can revolutionise fundamental discovery of mechanisms in precision health and medicine.
I began my scientific career in the 1990s following completion of an interdisciplinary degree in biology and mathematics. At that time, I had a vague notion that computational biology might have broad applications in research. Since the 1990s, precision medicine has evolved from a focus on single-gene disorders to a dynamic multi-disciplinary field that integrates data from all physiological scales and beyond. The Human Genome Project, completed in 2003, laid the foundation by mapping the entire human genome, enabling researchers to identify genetic variations linked to complex diseases. Over the last two decades, advances in sequencing technologies, big data analytics, and bioinformatics expanded the field to incorporate multi-omics data, including transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics, and metabolomics.
In recent years, revolutionary discoveries have further transformed precision medicine. Non-coding RNAs, once dismissed as “junk”, are now recognised as powerful regulators of gene expression and promising drug targets. At the same time, breakthroughs in protein structure prediction, such as those enabled by AlphaFold, are providing a critical bridge between genotype, protein structure, and biological function. These advances not only deepen our understanding of disease mechanisms but also facilitate the design of novel therapies tailored to individual patients.
The integration of artificial intelligence and real-time health monitoring technologies has also driven precision medicine toward practical, patient-centered applications. From cancer immunotherapies and pharmacogenomics to predictive models for neurodegenerative and cardiovascular diseases, precision medicine has potential for personalised solutions that optimise treatment outcomes and improve healthcare equity on a global scale.
Beyond technological breakthroughs, The Journal of Precision Medicine prioritises ethical, legal, and social implications (ELSI) in its scope. Issues such as data privacy, equitable access to genetic-based therapies, and responsible sharing of genetic information are critical to the advancement of precision medicine. By addressing these challenges head-on, we aim to foster a more inclusive and equitable future for personalised healthcare.
To our readers and contributors: your engagement is vital to the success of this journal. Looking ahead, we are excited to announce upcoming special issues that will focus on innovations in precision health and the critical importance of computational structural biology to furthering precision medicine. We invite you to share your groundbreaking research, transformative ideas, and clinical insights with us. Together, we can accelerate the translation of discovery into impactful solutions that shape the future of healthcare. Thank you for being part of the evolving journey with The Journal of Precision Medicine: Health and Disease.
With enthusiasm and gratitude, Colleen Clancy
For more news from Colleen and The Journal of Precision Medicine, read her editorial.
