Dr. Jose Narro noted that genomic medicine has great importance to health and  the development of preventive programs, and highlighted the importance of science for the development of a society, by appealing to the Mexican people to understand the value of knowledge.
 
Likewise, Dr. Narro said that the economic crisis in our country affects the budget of the inputs that are needed, but it is necessary that science and research activities become a priority, and therefore the importance of strategic alliances, such as INMEGEN that shape the way to further enhance and contribute to what our country needs in health.
 
Dr. Carlos Arambulo emphasized the benefits of genomic medicine as a strategic goal for the national health, and noted that this symposium is a reflection of the great potential of both institutions for the development of this new branch of health. For his part, Dr. Julio Sotelo added that the new scenarios of health require new knowledge, and this is where genomic medicine plays a crucial role as a union between basic science and clinical science.

 

Dr. Gerardo Jimenez Sanchez thanked Dr. Jose Narro for  the space and support to enable this important academic event in the benefit for the development of genomic medicine in Mexico. He stressed  the invaluable  participation of the UNAM  in the history of INMEGEN, recalling that in collaboration  with the Ministry of Health, the National Council for Science and Technology (CONACYT) and the Mexican Health Foundation (FUNSALUD) formed the first formal alliance to conduct strategic planning of a national platform in genomic medicine, which in 2002 led to the establishment of the Promoting Consortium of INMEGEN, and later on 20 July 2004, President Vicente Fox signed the decree establishing the National Institute of Genomic Medicine, approved by Congress.

Dr. Jimenez said that the strategic alliance between INMEGEN and UNAM is very encouraging and essential for the development of genomic medicine in Mexico, stating that the 30 projects between researchers from different institutes, colleges and centers of the UNAM with INMEGEN demonstrate the creative synergies that will generate benefits for the education, research, medical practice and consequently the development of Mexico.



Dr. Jimenez thanked, through Dr. Julio Sotelo, to Dr. Jose Angel Cordova Villalobos for his  trust and support to the Institute,  which has allowed this year the Institute successfully meets its first five years of work. He also noted the recognition of the Institute by Dr. Guillermo Soberon for his leadership and passion for the development of our country, and reiterated his gratitude to all institutions and individuals involved in the gestation of INMEGEN that in a few months will hold its V Anniversary.

Dr. Jimenez said that although INMEGEN has faced important challenges, currently 50% of its researchers are recognized by the SNI, with nearly 50 scientific papers and chapters in books.

During the symposium were presented various research papers divided into five sessions: 1) Genomics of multifactorial diseases, led by Dr. Santiago March of the INMEGEN; 2) Analysis of gene expression, coordinated by Dr. Alfredo Hidalgo Miranda of the  INMEGEN; 3 ) Applications of genomic medicine, coordinated by Dr. Pelayo Villar Puig, Division of Graduate Studies, Faculty of Medicine; 4) Proteomics, coordinated by Dr. Gloria Soberon Chavez of the Institute for Biomedical Research, and 5) Ethical, legal and social implications of genomic medicine, coordinated by Dr. Juliana Gonzalez Valenzuela of the Faculty of Philosophy and Letters, UNAM.

This Symposium is the result of strengthening the alliance between UNAM and INMEGEN, and reflects the commitment of both institutions to improve health care for Mexicans, creating new challenges in the development of genomic medicine.