Genomics England set up to drive technology and the use of mapping DNA
Project will sequence the personal DNA code of up to 100,000 patients over the next five years
Genomics England, set up in June 2013 by the UK’s Department of Health (DoH), will help in mapping DNA to better understand cancer, rare and infectious diseases. The project will sequence the personal DNA code of up to 100,000 patients over the next five years.
Based on expert scientific advice, the DoH has initially prioritised sequencing of lung and paediatric cancer, rare diseases and infectious diseases. Chief Scientist will be Professor Mark Caulfield, a NIHR Senior Investigator at Queen Mary University of London and the Barts National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Unit.
Genomics England will manage contracts for specialist UK-based companies, universities and hospitals to supply services on sequencing, data linkage and analysis. It will set standards for obtaining patient’s consent and also strictly manage storage of personal data in accordance with existing NHS rules designed to securely protect patient information. ‘Genomics England will provide the investment and leadership needed to increase dramatically the use of this technology and drive costs down.’
It will be funded by DoH in the medium term, and any surplus will be invested back into improving health. It will be chaired by former chair of the Medical Research Council, Sir John Chisholm.
The time taken to sequence a whole human genome has been reduced to one to two weeks and will become more affordable for routine use as the price continues to fall. Sir John said: ‘Participating patients will have the opportunity to benefit from clinical insights derived from the sequencing of their genome while at the same time contributing to knowledge that will be valuable to the whole patient community.’
