Updates on key developments in genomics

Direct-to-consumer genetic tests at an all-time high…

… but how can healthcare professionals make sure they are equipped to support patients who are worried and distressed about their results?  

Day in the life: trainee genetic counsellor

In the first article from a new series, STP trainee Alice Coulson looks at the invaluable role of genetic counselling in today’s health service
Rare-disease-family

UK rare disease strategy: the plan for implementation

Four years on from the government’s rare disease strategy, its implementation plan has been published. Here’s our summary of the key areas of focus
what is precision medicine

New liquid biopsy can detect eight common cancers

Blood test could ‘change the way we screen for cancer’, though more research is needed to ensure its efficacy in a real-world screening context 

Cancer immunotherapy: predicting outcomes

Today's monoclonal antibody treatments benefit some patients but can be harmful to others; the search for reliable predictive biomarkers is on

Genome editing: Talking to patients

With genome editing hitting the headlines, patients may have questions about its applications. Here’s our concise guide for health professionals

Earlobe genetics pierces the monogenic myth

Your earlobe shape was thought to be controlled by a single gene – until genome sequencing revealed otherwise. What other misconceptions will be uncovered?

Genomics in 2018: 3 key predictions

We asked three wise men and women to tell us what they think 2018 will bring for genomics in healthcare

What is NIPT?

Non-invasive prenatal testing will be rolled out in the NHS next year. But how does it work? And what are the benefits?
Genomics lab

Genome editing: 5 key questions answered

News stories in biomedicine are being dominated by genome editing, Crispr and other methods. So what's it all about, and what might it mean for healthcare?

Molecular memories: is genomics key to a dementia cure?

Dementia is a major healthcare issue in ageing western societies. What do we know about the biological basis of memory that could combat this?

New precision medicine approaches to breast cancer

Patients in London and Manchester the first to benefit from methods to better predict, prevent and treat breast cancer, with aims to roll out nationally

World first with genome edited inside patient’s body

Experimental procedure has potential for treating several metabolic disorders, but the long-term risks are yet to be fully understood
Genomics lab

Delivering the genomic dream

Ahead of her appearance at Expo 2017, Chief Scientific Officer Sue Hill outlines the exciting work she is leading on genomics across the NHS

Gene therapy hope for sickle cell anaemia patients

A teenager with severe sickle cell anaemia has been successfully treated with a pioneering gene therapy approach

Fighting adverse drug reactions

When it comes to therapeutic treatments, one size doesn’t fit all. Could genomic tests be the key to minimising the harmful side effects of drugs?

Ethical editing: therapeutics and ‘enhancement’

A newly published report takes a different approach towards the controversial editing of human genomes

How genome editing could enter mainstream medicine

Forget designer babies and novelty pets. The potential for genome editing to improve the health of the general population is already emerging

Genomics in government policy

How do we bring exciting research, exceptional medicine and public opinion to routine clinical practice?

Point-of-care testing in genomics

Rapid advances in technology are revolutionising healthcare. How viable is portable DNA testing?

Reference genome: defining human difference

In order to make assertions about genomic variation and health, scientists rely on the ‘reference genome’ – but how definitive is it?