O18: BabyFORce: A pioneering program translating variants identified via rapid genome sequencing to targeted therapeutics for neonatal intensive care unit patients

Rapid genome sequencing (rGS) has accelerated the timeline for achieving precision diagnoses in critically ill neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Yet, variants of uncertain significance and pathogenic variants without therapeutic options continue to pose significant challenges. Mapping gene-function relationships offers a promising path for developing diagnostic tools and therapies tailored to individual genetics and environmental contexts. Herein, we introduce Baby Functional Omics Resource (BabyFORce), a pioneering program bridging discovery, translation, and clinical application to develop targeted therapies following rGS for NICU patients.