Many recent works demonstrate that biological sex - or whether it is female or male - as well as the number of sex chromosomes carried by an individual, can have a profound impact on various aspects of biology, in homeostasis and in many diseases. The influence of biological sex is still poorly understood and too often ignored both in basic research practices and by the medical profession. The French High Council for Equality between Women and Men noted, in its 2020 report, the importance of taking sex and gender into account to provide better care, as a public health issue.

The Institut Cochin symposium “Why sex matters … in health and disease” will highlight the impact of sex on gene regulation, cancer, immunology and metabolism. In these areas, both the physiological mechanisms involved and the development of chronic diseases such as cancer, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, chronic liver diseases will be addressed.

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