Blog articles

New gene therapy hubs announced

A network of ‘innovation hubs’ are set to advance the clinical development of novel gene therapy treatments in the UK
Man in a counselling session on the TV programme DNA Family SecretsBBC/Minnow Films

DNA Family Secrets: the science behind the show

Now the BBC series has wrapped up, we revisit some genomics talking points and think about what may have been left out by the producers and why
Adult holding baby's hand in hospital

NICE approves new SMA gene therapy

NHS England has made a deal on a new, life-saving treatment for the most severe form of the condition

Key genomic technologies of 2020: treatments old and new

In the second part of our review of the year’s genomic highlights, we look at the breakthroughs that are helping patients with rare disease and cancer
DNA being transcribed to mRNA by the RNA polymerase, and several enzymes within the nucleus of a cell

RNA-based therapies: two types explained

What are RNA therapies and how are they used? We compare the two licensed types – antisense and RNA interference – to find out more

Breakthrough in the battle against neurodegenerative disease

New genomic research could shed light on the cause of two life-limiting neurodegenerative conditions and provide targets for potential therapies and treatments

Mitochondrial disease: the genomics challenge

Mitochondrial diseases are overwhelmingly genetic in origin, so why are gene therapies so difficult to develop? We take a deep dive to find out more.

Genome editing trial suggests cure for blood diseases

Recent tests have established a potential cure for sickle cell disease and beta thalassaemia by using genome editing on bone marrow stem cells

Gene duo hints at future cure for heart disease

A new study has identified an interaction between two genes that could cause cells in the heart to replicate, opening the door to the first possible curative treatment for heart disease

Back to the future of ophthalmology: 5 predictions

We take a look back at a bold paper published in 1999, 'Ophthalmology in the post-genomic era' to see how accurate its authors' predictions really were

First RNA-based therapy approved in US and Europe

Gene-silencing technique works without altering the person’s DNA, and prevents harmful proteins from being made in their cells  
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?