By
Chris Wigley
on
Our CEO Chris Wigley shares some of his hopes and dreams for the future of Genomics England, the patients and participants we serve, and the wider genomics landscape.
The next genomics decade
10 years of Genomics England
This year, we celebrate the achievements of the past 10 years. We also look ahead to all the work that’s left to be done, the discoveries yet to be made, and a world where genomic medicine can help everyone, everywhere.
#ourDNAdecade
A decade of life-changing discoveries in genomics
July 2023 marks 10 years of Genomics England. Over the past decade, our partnership with the NHS has brought life-changing discoveries to those living with cancer and rare conditions.
This year, we celebrate the achievements of the past 10 years. We also look ahead to all the work that’s left to be done, the discoveries yet to be made, and a world where genomic medicine can help everyone, everywhere.
Major milestones, 2013 to 2023
5 July 2013
Jeremy Hunt, former Secretary of State, announces Genomics England.
March 2015
The first patients receive a diagnosis as a result of our flagship initiative, the 100,000 Genomes Project
April 2016
The Participant Panel is established to represent the diverse voices and lived experiences of participants
July 2017
Two major reports – Generation Genome and the Life Sciences report – published
July 2017
Our Research Environment is created to provide approved researchers with access to data, enabling scientific discovery that can be accelerated to patient care
October 2018
The NHS Genomic Medicine Service – set up to routinely use genomic testing in healthcare – is announced
December 2018
The 100,000th genome is sequenced
January 2019
The NHS publishes a long-term plan, setting integration of genomics into healthcare as a priority
January 2020
We join forces with the GenOMICC Study to help understand why COVID-19 affects some people more severely than others
November 2020
The first whole genome is sequenced on the NHS Genomic Medicine Service
October 2021
Our expansion continues as our Newborn Genome Sequencing and Diverse Data initiatives are announced
December 2022
The government reinforces its focus on genomics, highlighting our initiatives
January 2023
To date, 230 academic or clinical institutions have access to data in the National Genomic Research Library, 699 research projects are working with this data, and 139 papers have been published
The life-changing impact of genomics
Through the 100,000 Genomes Project, thousands of people living with rare conditions and cancer have received diagnoses. Many of these would not have been previously detectable.
While our aim is to get diagnoses for everyone, we also recognise that many others are still waiting for answers.
Jessica
One of the first children to be diagnosed, whole genome sequencing narrowed down the possible causes of Jessica’s rare condition from 6.4 million variants to one.
Bhavini
Bhavini shares how having a genetic diagnosis answered so many questions for her, and has empowered her to help raise awareness and break down cultural taboos.
Tom
Tom has lived with an ultra-rare skin disorder called pachyonychia congenita his entire life.
Rachel
Having lived with a rare form of sarcoma cancer for 20 years, Rachel had whole genome sequencing in 2017 to get more answers.
Sol
Sol doesn't have a genetic diagnosis for his sight loss condition yet, but he shares how he hopes his health data can help aid in future genomic research.
Special anniversary podcasts
Supporting patient journeys in a changing genomics landscape
How has patient support has evolved over the last decade? How will it continue to change in the next 10 years?
Participant Panel member, Shelley Simmonds, sits down with Louise Fish and Amanda Pichini to talk about these questions and more.
From left to right: Louise Fish, CEO of Genetic Alliance UK; Shelley Simmonds, host and Participant Panel member; and Amanda Pichini, Clinical Lead for Genetic Counselling at Genomics England.
Reaching the full potential of genomic research
Is the National Genomic Research Library (NGRL) meeting its full potential? What is the future direction for research at Genomics England? How will Genomics England help research participants connect with those researching their gene or condition?
Participant Panel member, Dave McCormick, sits down with Matt Brown and Jenny Taylor to talk about these questions and more.
From left to right: Matt Brown, Chief Scientific Officer at Genomics England; Dave McCormick, host and Participant Panel member; and Jenny Taylor, member of our research community.
The partnership that made it all possible
We’ve helped the NHS to build the first healthcare system in the world to offer whole genome sequencing as part of routine care.
One in 17 people are affected by a rare condition in their lifetime and nearly 300,000 people are diagnosed with cancer in the UK each year. Genomic testing – including the whole genome sequencing that we support – aims to get better answers, treatment and care for them, faster.
Driving discoveries through our research community
Since 2017, our research community has been enabling new, life-changing discoveries.
1,700+
academic researchers approved and registered to access data in the National Genomic Research Library
699
research projects are working with this data
29
approved industry partners (including 7 of the 10 biggest pharmaceutical companies)
139
publications using data from the National Genomic Research Library
Latest 10-year anniversary blogs
We've asked members of the Genomics England team to look back on the past decade, and ahead at what the future might hold for genomics.
By
Chris Wigley
on
Chris Wigley shares his top 10 highlights from the last decade in honour of our 10-year anniversary.
10 highlights from 10 years of Genomics England
By
Jillian Hastings Ward, Rebecca Middleton, and Helen White
on
As Genomics England celebrates its 10-year anniversary this July, the Chair and Vice Chairs of the Participant Panel reflect on the Panel’s significant impact.
Reflections on the impact and involvement of participant voices at Genomics England
What will the next decade hold?
The age of genomics has started. And there’s more to be done.
With the NHS, we hope to sequence thousands more whole genomes via the NHS Genomic Medicine Service, and continue to analyse the genomes of people who haven’t yet had answers.
Technology and genomic research continue to advance. In the coming decades, we hope to harness this power to enable new scientific breakthroughs, and in turn, help more patients.
