title: Towards predictive, preventive, and personalized paediatric surgery.
abstract: Future medicine will be revolutionized by genomic and stem cell research, becoming predictive, preventive, and personalized. Despite the smallness of the specialty, paediatric surgery is well placed to play a determining role in this exciting development. First, paediatric surgeons are innovators and leaders. Second, paediatric surgery thrives on the multidisciplinary approach. Third, congenital anomalies provide genetic models for studies of complex diseases. Fourth, morphogenesis underpins basic understanding in development, ageing, cancer, and immunology. The next generation paediatric surgeons must seize the opportunities in large-scale biology research to develop the best future treatment for their patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of Hong Kong Medical Centre, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong. paultam@hkucc.hku.hk
authors.forename: Paul K H
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Tam
mesh_terms: D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D023281:Genomics; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008957:Models, Genetic; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011315:Preventive Medicine / Q000592:standards / Q000639:trends; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends