Major leaps in scientific discoveries make a positive impact on human life

The second day of the World Summit of Scientists witnessed nine forums that included an elite group of Nobel Prize laureates and other prestigious scientific awards, along with leaders of prestigious international universities and academic institutions, and global experts and leaders from the health sector, as part of a series of expanded dialogues that together charted a clear and integrated path confirming that basic scientific discovery has become a pivotal pillar in shaping the future of medicine, technology, education, governance, and global risk management.

Through discussions that included neuroscience, genetics, life sciences, physics, higher education, hospital management, advanced materials, and nuclear security, the growing relationship between basic scientific research and practical applications in reality emerged. From early diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases and curative gene therapies, to quantum sciences, education models ready for the age of artificial intelligence, patient-centered hospitals, sustainable materials, and international cooperation in the nuclear field. The sessions confirmed the core message of the summit, which is that scientific excellence, when combined with cooperation and good governance, is a cornerstone. The basis for confronting the most complex humanitarian challenges.

The agenda of the second day of the summit began with the “Sixth Sense: The Brain” forum, with the participation of an elite group of neuroscientists, who discussed how sensory systems interact with brain functions and neurological diseases. The forum was chaired by Professor Nancy Yuk-Yu Ip, where Edvard Moser reviewed the mechanism of action of neural network cells that form the brain’s internal navigation system, highlighting their potential as early biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease, along with partnerships to accelerate innovative solutions in this field.

May-Britt Moser also addressed the developmental mechanisms of spatial cognition, noting that spatial training in early childhood may affect long-term brain stability.

As for the “Genes and Genomes” Forum, it brought together eight of the most prominent international scientists to review the latest developments in genomic research and their clinical applications. Adrian Wolfson reviewed the progress in gene editing techniques to treat monogenic diseases, in a shift that reflects the transition from treatment based on alleviating symptoms to curative treatment.

David Kleinerman highlighted techniques for detecting DNA circulating in the blood as an effective tool for early, non-invasive disease screening, Carolyn Luger and Daniela Rhodes provided structural insights into the functions of the genome, while Jian-Kang Zhou linked plant and human genetics, and Craig Mello discussed the pivotal role of RNA in gene regulation, along with interventions from Qijian James Chen and Dennis Lu, while the issues of ethical governance and ensuring fair access to technologies were raised. The genome is a major focus of discussion.

The “Revolution in Medicine” forum focused on transformative approaches to diagnosing and treating diseases, as 10 scientists and doctors reviewed advanced innovations across various specialties, and Hongji Dai presented developments in cancer treatments based on nanotechnology that have entered the clinical trial stages, while Butund Ruska presented clinical results of visual treatments, based on optogenetics, that contributed to restoring part of the vision ability of blind patients.

Avram Hershko also discussed therapeutic applications of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, and the sessions touched on innovation in biological treatments and organ transplantation.

At the “Cosmology and Quantum Physics” forum, hosted by Duncan Haldane, physicists discussed the prospects for quantum sciences and cosmology, and Adam Rees spoke about dark matter and neutron research, anticipating the possibility of direct detection of dark matter within the next three to five years.

Arthur MacDonald reviewed the phenomenon of neutron oscillation, Donna Strickland discussed the physics of ultrafast lasers and their role in the development of quantum technologies, Peter Zoller highlighted advances in quantum computing and simulation, along with interventions from Wolfgang Ketterle and Brian Schmidt, and Haldane concluded the forum with reflections on one-dimensional quantum matter and the theory of the Tomonaga-Lüttinger fluid.

The Hospital Presidents Forum focused on artificial intelligence, medical innovation, and governance of future hospitals, as participants reviewed governance models that balance quality of care, patient experience, and operational efficiency.

The “Carbon Materials Science” Forum also discussed the path from basic research in carbon materials to industrial applications, where developments in two-dimensional materials and sustainable manufacturing techniques were reviewed, and the role of carbon materials in supporting the transition towards clean energy and the development of advanced industries.

The sessions concluded with the “Nuclear Physics” Forum, which focused on the prevention of nuclear risks, energy security and international cooperation, where the participants discussed global nuclear risk governance frameworks and linked progress in nuclear physics to improving safety and monitoring standards, while emphasizing the importance of unifying standards and exchanging information, to ensure the peaceful and safe use of nuclear technology.

• Issues of ethical governance and ensuring fair access to genomic technologies constitute a major focus of the debate.

• A major shift from treatment based on alleviating symptoms to curative treatment, through gene editing techniques to treat monogenic diseases.