9 July 2026
As part of the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the Department of Chemistry of the University of Aveiro and the 25th anniversary of CICECO – Aveiro Institute of Materials, the Department of Chemistry hosted the distinguished lecture "Genomics Meets AI: The Future of Precision Medicine", delivered by Andrea Cavalli, Director of CECAM-EPFL (Centre Européen de Calcul Atomique et Moléculaire), an internationally recognised expert in computational genomics, artificial intelligence and drug discovery.
The seminar explored how advances in artificial intelligence are transforming the interpretation of genomic data and accelerating the development of precision medicine. Throughout the lecture, Andrea Cavalli presented examples of how machine learning and large-scale computational approaches are enabling researchers to identify disease-associated genetic variants, improve patient stratification, and support the discovery of new therapeutic targets.
A central theme of the lecture was the integration of genomics with AI-driven computational models to overcome one of the major challenges in modern medicine: extracting clinically relevant knowledge from the vast amounts of genomic information generated through sequencing technologies. Cavalli highlighted ongoing developments in predictive models capable of interpreting non-coding genetic variants, identifying biomarkers and supporting personalised treatment strategies.
The audience also learned about large-scale initiatives in computational genomics, including the 5000genomi@VdA project, which combines genome sequencing, clinical data and artificial intelligence to advance personalized medicine. Andrea Cavalli also highlighted the rapid evolution of AI in biomedicine over the past five years, from the breakthrough of AlphaFold in protein structure prediction to the emergence of increasingly sophisticated foundation models such as AlphaMissense, AlphaFold 3, Evo 2, and AlphaGenome. These new-generation models extend AI capabilities well beyond predicting protein structures, enabling the interpretation of genetic variants, modelling biomolecular interactions, analysing regulatory elements and supporting AI-driven drug discovery and precision medicine.
In addition to presenting current scientific advances, Andrea Cavalli discussed the importance of international collaboration in advancing computational science through CECAM, the European network dedicated to atomistic and molecular simulations, which today brings together leading research institutions across Europe, North America and Asia.
The event attracted researchers, doctoral students and members of the academic community interested in the intersection of genomics, artificial intelligence and biomedical innovation, reinforcing the University of Aveiro’s commitment to promoting scientific excellence and interdisciplinary dialogue on emerging research frontiers.
Check the photos of the event: https://photos.app.goo.gl/t2CAofFs8x2pK3q39
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Dinis O. Abranches
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