Region to play vital role in hunt for genetic cures Midland diversity crucial as 2,000 patients signs up to project
THE diverse population of the region could put it at the centre of global genetic research as 2,000 patients suffering rare diseases sign up to a ground-breaking scheme to help cure mystery illnesses.
All major Birmingham hospitals have joined the 100,000 Genomes Project – with a cardiac patient from City Hospital, in Winson Green, becoming the latest recruit.
The ambitious NHS England initiative will collect and decode 100,000 human genomes, paving the way for personalised treatment of cancers and rare illnesses.
Genome sequencing is being carried out on blood samples from consenting patients with rare inherited conditions.
Doctors hope that by comparing results with those of relatives and patients with similar conditions, they will be able to identify variations that cause diseases, provide diagnoses where previously there was none and offer tailored ment for individual patients.
Eighteen NHS trusts across the region have come together to form the West Midlands Genomic Medicine Centre (WMGMC), one of 13 centres nationwide helping to deliver the project.
The recent recruitment of the cardiac patient at City Hospital means all of Birmingham’s major hospitals –Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Heartlands, Birmingham Children’s, Birmingham Women’s and the Royal Orthopaedic – have now signed-up volunteers.
Professor Dion Morton, director of the WMGMC, said: “We are delighted to be playing a key part in this ground-breaking national project. The West Midlands’ diverse population, coupled with the expertise of our collaborators, has the potential to not only benefit our patients but to put the region at the centre of genomics worldwide.
“With active recruitment now taking place throughout Birmingham and wider region, we are making a significant contribution to the national effort. The 100,000 Genom- treat- es Project provides the impetus to develop genomics analysis as a core component of specialist hospital services. It can provide a platform that will transform hospital specialist service, initiate world-class research and link up services across the West Midlands, enabling highest quality care to be provided at all our major centres across a wide range of conditions.”
Patients are also being recruited at Royal Wolverhampton, University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire, Dudley Group Hospitals, Shrewsbury and Telford and Wye Valley NHS trusts, with others set to go live in the coming weeks.
Tumour samples are being sequenced in patients being treated for cancer, to help guide the use of new drug treatments.
Latest figures show that 13,971 genomes have been sequenced nationally, with only North Thames and South London GMCs providing more samples than the West Midlands.
Criteria for participation can be found at www.genomicsengland. co.uk or call 0121 371 4821.
The West Midlands’ diverse population has the potential to put the region at the centre of genomics worldwide Professor Dion Morton, director of WMGMC, above