Engineering Life: From Genomes to Cures | Sam Santhosh | TEDxAGBSKochi
Sam Santhosh’s talk focused on the transformative power of genomics in understanding human identity, diversity, and health. He explained how the genome—the complete set of genetic instructions—acts as the blueprint of life, not only defining who we are but also explaining the subtle variations that make each person unique. Through examples like hemophilia in European royalty and data from the GenomeAsia 100K project, he illustrated how genetics connects deeply with history, culture, and social constructs like caste.He emphasized that while humans share a common genetic ancestry, individual genomes reveal valuable insights into health risks and inherited conditions. With over a million children in India born each year with genetic disorders, he stressed the importance of early genetic screening. He also discussed how the dramatic drop in the cost of genome sequencing is making personalized healthcare more accessible. The talk concluded with a look at future breakthroughs in medicine—such as CRISPR, cell therapies, and engineered antibodies—highlighting how genomics is reshaping the way we diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases. Sam Santhosh is a seasoned entrepreneur with 35 years of experience. He founded Calsoft and took it public before leading India’s genomics revolution through SciGenom Labs. He incubated firms like MedGenome, AgriGenome, Saksin Life Sciences, and MagGenome. MedGenome, launched in 2010, raised $120M and became India’s top genomic diagnostics firm. Called the 'Genome Man of India', he was named among Goldman Sachs’ Top 100 intriguing entrepreneurs in 2019. In 2022, he exited all companies to focus on genomics education via the SciGenom Research Foundation and is now building a 27-acre Hortus Malabaricus-inspired botanical garden in Thrissur. As advisor to K-DISC, he proposed the Kerala Genome Data Centre. An IIM Calcutta MBA, Sam lives in San Francisco and Kochi, traveling globally to explore museums and gardens. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
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