Genomics News this week
1. New DNA method helps 145 people get answers for rare conditions
Researchers analysed DNA from 13,700 parents and children and found a new way to spot “structural variants” (big changes in chromosomes) that standard tests miss. They identified 1,870 such variants and helped 145 participants get a new or better diagnosis. genomicsengland.co.uk+1
Why it matters: For many families this means finally understanding what’s behind a rare disorder.
A note: These structural variants are tricky to find and require full-genome sequencing.
2. Understanding how bacteria share antibiotic resistance in humans and nature
A major review shows that microbes (bacteria) share resistance genes across humans, animals and the environment. The article calls for stronger systems to track how resistance spreads. Nature
Why it matters: Antibiotic resistance is a big health risk. Knowing how genes move helps us design better controls.
Think: Genomics isn’t just about human DNA—it’s about all life around us.
3. Decoding the “instructions” in our DNA – big scale study of regulatory genome
A new research article outlines efforts to map how DNA pieces outside the genes (regulatory regions) tell our cells what to do. Nature
Why it matters: Many diseases come from places in the genome we used to ignore. Understanding these “instructions” could open new treatment paths.
4. Campaign this week encourages everyone to talk about genomics
From 3-7 November 2025 the “Genomics Conversation Week” invited healthcare workers to learn and share about genomics: what it is, how it affects patients, and how to talk about it. East Genomics
Why it matters: Genomics affects medicine, diagnosis and public health. The more people understand, the better choices we can make.
Good reminder: You don’t need to know everything—but being able to ask the right questions counts.
5. Whole-genome sequencing shows promise for rare disease diagnosis
The study in story #1 highlights how whole-genome sequencing (looking at all your DNA) found things that older tests (which looked only at bits of DNA) missed. sanger.ac.uk+1
Why it matters: For families waiting years for a diagnosis, this could speed things up.
Caveat: It’s expensive and requires big data systems—so availability varies.
6. Genomics tools reaching beyond labs: training for clinicians in Asia-Pacific
A workshop held 4-5 November 2025 in Indonesia (as part of a conference) taught clinicians how to use sequencing technologies, interpret DNA variants, and apply genomics in healthcare. coursesandconferences.wellcomeconnectingscience.org
Why it matters: As genomics enters everyday medicine, doctors and health workers need the skills—not just researchers.
Also: It shows genomics is reaching many parts of the world, not just high-resource countries.
7. Big challenge ahead: Making genomics simple & inclusive for all
Various reports emphasise that as genomics advances, issues like cost, infrastructure, ethics and diversity matter more than ever. For example, how to include different populations so the benefits of genomics reach everyone. News-Medical+1
Why it matters: If only some countries/populations get genomic tools, inequalities will grow.
Take-away: Genomics should be for all people, everywhere.
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