News: 5th James Best Distinguished Lecture

By Sanjay Devaraja, Editor, LKCMedicine's Redefine Newsletter

The James Best Distinguished Lecture at LKCMedicine continues to grow in prominence, with its fifth edition drawing the highest number of registrants on 25 May 2025. This year’s event featured Professor Michael Snyder, a leading expert in genomics, and attracted 550 attendees—including researchers, faculty, students, and healthcare professionals—who gathered at the Ong Tiong Tat and Irene Tan Liang Kheng Auditorium at LKCMedicine’s Novena Campus to gain insights into the future of precision medicine.

LKCMedicine Dean, Professor Joseph Sung, opened the evening by underscoring the importance of precision medicine and highlighting Singapore’s advancements in this field. “Through the SG100K programme, led by Health for Life in Singapore (HELIOS), LKCMedicine plays a pivotal role in precision medicine research. Alongside Precision Health Research Singapore (PRECISE), we co-lead the National Precision Medicine (NPM) programme to deepen our understanding of genetic diversity within Singapore’s multi-ethnic population,” he remarked.

The lecture series’ namesake, former LKCMedicine Dean Professor James Best, delivered an introduction to Professor Snyder, emphasising his contributions to biomedical research. Currently the Director of the Center for Genomics and Personalised Medicine at Stanford University, Professor Snyder has authored over 900 publications and founded 17 start-ups.

Prof Snyder’s presentation delved into the transformative potential of multi-omics, illustrating how integrating genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and other molecular data can revolutionise disease detection and treatment.

One of the key themes of his talk was the role of Big Data in personal health monitoring. He pointed out that genetic factors account for only 16% of lifespan variation, while lifestyle choices, diet, activity levels, mental health, and environmental exposure have a far greater influence. His research, which includes the use of wearable technology and deep molecular profiling, is paving the way for groundbreaking developments in precision health. Prof Snyder also highlighted how lifestyle parameters can serve as predictors for metabolic health, offering valuable insights for personalised healthcare.

The event concluded with an engaging Q&A session moderated by LKCMedicine epidemiologist Assistant Professor Marie Loh. Attendees took the opportunity to explore the real-world applications of Prof Snyder’s research, with questions ranging from strategies to increase lifespan to the practical implementation of precision medicine.

Among those in attendance was LKCMedicine’s Assistant Professor Shen Xiaotao, Director of the Singapore Phenome Centre, who previously worked with Prof Snyder at Stanford. Reflecting on the lecture, he remarked, “This was my first James Best lecture, and it was invaluable for both students and faculty. Professor Snyder’s pioneering insights are crucial in advancing precision medicine.”

Dr Carlos Eisenberg, 56, a patient partner with the Office of Patient Engagement (OPEN) Voices, was fascinated by the discussion. “I found today’s lecture very interesting. The lecture reflected my own case because I am a stage four cancer patient. I found out about my cancer very late. If I had gone through such a programme (personalised medicine) earlier, my cancer could have been detected earlier, and my treatment could have started earlier as well. I think personalised medicine is the future,” he opined.

Reflecting on the event, Vice-Dean (International Relations) Associate Professor Yusuf Ali shared on the lecture’s profound impact on the audience.

“It was a true scientific delight to hear Professor Michael Snyder deliver the James Best Distinguished Lecture at LKCMedicine in 2025. He captivated us with both groundbreaking published and unpublished scientific work, revealing how health data collected from individuals while they are still healthy can be a powerful tool in personalising future therapies. His insights into the future of health technologies highlighted a transformative shift toward precision medicine, where data-driven innovations empower both patients and clinicians to make more informed, proactive healthcare decisions. With passion and clarity, Professor Snyder inspired us to envision a future where personalised medicine not only enhances individual health outcomes but also reshapes the global approach to wellness,” said Assoc Prof Yusuf.

The overwhelming response to this year’s lecture highlights the growing interest in precision medicine and LKCMedicine’s dedication to fostering knowledge exchange with global thought leaders. Prof Best said, “What an inspiring and stimulating lecture it was! It is very pleasing that this is the fifth lecture in the series and that our generous donor is enabling us to have several more lectures.”

Launched in 2022 as part of LKCMedicine’s 10^th Anniversary Distinguished Visitor Programme, the James Best Distinguished Lecture is made possible through a generous S$500,000 donation from an anonymous donor. The lecture continues to be a vital platform for inspiring future generations of medical professionals and researchers.