This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-30558112

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
NHS DNA scheme to fight cancer and genetic diseases NHS DNA scheme to fight cancer and genetic diseases
(about 1 hour later)
A new genetics project could help "unlock a series of secrets about devastating diseases", the NHS says.A new genetics project could help "unlock a series of secrets about devastating diseases", the NHS says.
Under the scheme, 11 Genomics Medicine Centres are being set up in English hospitals to gather DNA information to help devise targeted treatments for a wide range of diseases. Under the scheme, 11 Genomics Medicine Centres are being set up in English hospitals to gather DNA samples to help devise targeted treatments for a wide range of diseases.
It is focussing on cancer and rare genetic diseases. It is focusing on cancer and rare genetic diseases.
The aim is to sequence 100,000 genomes within three years in order to develop new tests and drugs.The aim is to sequence 100,000 genomes within three years in order to develop new tests and drugs.
The NHS said it was aiming to be the most scientifically advanced healthcare system in the world. Doctors will offer suitable patients the opportunity to take part in the scheme.
Target treatment They will have to agree to have their genetic code and medical records - stripped of anything that could identify them - made available to drugs companies and researchers.
The 11 Genomics Medicines Centres will open across England in February at: Up to 25,000 cancer patients will have the genetic code of their healthy tissue compared to the genetic code of their tumour.
For cancer, the aim is to target treatment at the precise mutations in DNA that are causing a patient's tumour. The full genetic code - known as the genome - of healthy tissue will be compared with the tumour. A giant game of spot-the-difference will then take place to identify the precise mutations in DNA that are causing a patient's tumour.
This would allow targeted medicines to be developed.
Genetic codeGenetic code
Previous genetics research has shown how different cancers can be - for example that breast cancer is not one disease but at least 10 - each with a different cause and life expectancy and each needing a different treatment.Previous genetics research has shown how different cancers can be - for example that breast cancer is not one disease but at least 10 - each with a different cause and life expectancy and each needing a different treatment.
And the development of targeted drugs such as Herceptin - given only if a patient's breast tumour has a certain mutation - has been possible because of genetics research.And the development of targeted drugs such as Herceptin - given only if a patient's breast tumour has a certain mutation - has been possible because of genetics research.
Meanwhile, patients with rare diseases will have their genomes compared with those of their family members. Meanwhile, 15,000 patients with rare diseases will have their genome compared with those of their parents and grandparents.
Thousands of genetic diseases - which are individually rare but combined affect large numbers of people - could be identified by finding mistakes in the three billion pairs of letters that make up our genetic code.Thousands of genetic diseases - which are individually rare but combined affect large numbers of people - could be identified by finding mistakes in the three billion pairs of letters that make up our genetic code.
The resulting knowledge could give patients an explanation for a disease that has plagued their entire life.The resulting knowledge could give patients an explanation for a disease that has plagued their entire life.
Prof Graeme Black, who will lead the project in Manchester, told the BBC: "It's possible to sequence an individual's entire genetic make-up, their genome, in merely a few days where five years ago that was completely unimaginable.
"Therefore it's possible for conditions where there's a possibility that it's genetic, that we can identify genetic causes much quicker than had been imagined previously."
Case studyCase study
Fifteen thousand families with rare diseases will take part in the project.
Edward Sherley-Price has first-hand experience of just how little is known about some conditions.Edward Sherley-Price has first-hand experience of just how little is known about some conditions.
His 11-year-old daughter Alysia has regular seizures.His 11-year-old daughter Alysia has regular seizures.
She was diagnosed with a developmental delay before her second birthday, but the cause was unknown.She was diagnosed with a developmental delay before her second birthday, but the cause was unknown.
It took until 2013 for genetic testing to discover what was wrong - a rare genetic mutation in a gene known as STXBP1.It took until 2013 for genetic testing to discover what was wrong - a rare genetic mutation in a gene known as STXBP1.
The family say getting a diagnosis has given them a renewed sense of optimism.The family say getting a diagnosis has given them a renewed sense of optimism.
The 100,000 Genomes Project could help people like Alysia by identifying a specific mutation, which lead to taking part in future drug trials.The 100,000 Genomes Project could help people like Alysia by identifying a specific mutation, which lead to taking part in future drug trials.
The NHS said it was aiming to be the most scientifically advanced healthcare system in the world.
Target treatment
The 11 Genomics Medicines Centres will open across England in February at:
The 11 centres are just the first wave of the project, which will eventually cover the whole of England.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are not taking part.
The pilots have been under way this year and 3,000 genomes will have been sequenced by January.The pilots have been under way this year and 3,000 genomes will have been sequenced by January.
All the data produced in the 100,000 Genomes project will be stripped of anything that could identify the patient and then be made available to drugs companies and researchers to help them create precision drugs for future generations.All the data produced in the 100,000 Genomes project will be stripped of anything that could identify the patient and then be made available to drugs companies and researchers to help them create precision drugs for future generations.
The project's leaders say it will be the partnership between the health service, industry and academics that will deliver a new era of genetics-based medicine.
'Devastating diseases''Devastating diseases'
NHS England medical director Prof Bruce Keogh said the impact of genomic medicine will be on the same scale as other British successes including the smallpox vaccine and IVF.NHS England medical director Prof Bruce Keogh said the impact of genomic medicine will be on the same scale as other British successes including the smallpox vaccine and IVF.
He said: "Our NHS is better equipped for the emerging science that will determine the future practice of medicine than any other Western healthcare system.He said: "Our NHS is better equipped for the emerging science that will determine the future practice of medicine than any other Western healthcare system.
"[It] puts us in a position to unlock a series of secrets about devastating diseases, that have remained hidden for centuries, for the whole of human kind.""[It] puts us in a position to unlock a series of secrets about devastating diseases, that have remained hidden for centuries, for the whole of human kind."
Life sciences minister George Freeman said: "We want to make the UK the best place in the world to design and discover 21st century medicines."Life sciences minister George Freeman said: "We want to make the UK the best place in the world to design and discover 21st century medicines."
Angela Douglas, chairwoman of the British Society of Genetic Medicine, said: "The challenge of the project will be to embed its outcomes into routine health practice.Angela Douglas, chairwoman of the British Society of Genetic Medicine, said: "The challenge of the project will be to embed its outcomes into routine health practice.
"The genetics community looks forward to working with researchers, scientists, associated medical specialists and Genomics England to meet that challenge.""The genetics community looks forward to working with researchers, scientists, associated medical specialists and Genomics England to meet that challenge."