Maximising the health benefits of genetics and genomics

We support research to understand how genomes function in health and disease, and work to ensure that this knowledge generates new health innovations for all. Such benefits will only be realised if they have the full support of the public. Our biomedical ethics research and public engagement activities explore and promote dialogue on the issues these advances raise for society.

Maximising the health benefits of genetics and genomics: an introduction

Running time: 5 mins 2 s

Showreel: genes, genomes and public engagement

Genetics lies at the core of much biomedical research. We support multidisciplinary approaches that integrate the many facets of genetic and genomic research, including molecular, physiological, behavioural and computational studies. Equally important is exploring the ethical, social and philosophical questions raised by this research. The video below showcases a selection of our films highlighting this work.

Running time: 9 mins 15 s

Molecular model of DNA. Credit: Wellcome Library, London

Confocal image of C. elegans. Credit: Dr David Becker, Wellcome Images

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DNA sequences. Credit: Wellcome Library, London

Sir John Sulston at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. Credit: Wellcome Library, London

Aerial view of Hinxton Hall and the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. Credit: Wellcome Library, London

Scientists in the sequencing room at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute. Credit: Wellcome Library, London

Examples of our funding

The following examples illustrate the work we have funded to help us better understand genetics and genomics so that it can be applied to improving health.

Genomics Through our support of researchers and institutions, such as the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, we are working to build a complete picture of how variation in the genome affects our health and disease. The Cancer Genome Project is identifying genes critical to the development of human cancers, and the 1000 Genomes Project is searching for genetic variants that have frequencies of at least 1 per cent in the populations studied. The Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium (WTCCC) is identifying genes linked to major causes of global disease.

Gene function

To help the development of new therapies, the Structural Genomics Consortium is deciphering the three-dimensional structures of hundreds of proteins relevant to human health. We also support a range of resources for the study of model organisms and other tools for genomics studies.

Data

Data and information systems have become critical to the understanding of genomic research, so we have provided support for the EMBL-European Bioinformatics Institute and a number of publicly accessible databases including PDBe, Ensembl, International HapMap, and, recently, ChEMBLdb.

Genetics in healthcare

We are funding the development of innovative new products that will help turn genetic discoveries into new ways of treating and diagnosing disease. These include inhibitors of mutated proteins as cancer drugs and new technologies for the sequencing of large numbers of DNA samples.

Exploring genetics in society

For Darwin 200, we supported a range of exciting projects, including resources for schools and a five-minute animation, which can be viewed at the Tree of Life website and was the centrepiece of Sir David Attenborough's documentary for BBC1, 'Charles Darwin and the Tree of Life'. The award-winning 'Routes' website explores genetics and bioethics using a variety of platforms - including an online documentary, mini-games and puzzles, a murder-mystery drama, discussion forums, video blogs, mobile updates and live events.

Research governance

Our data sharing policy provides the appropriate safeguards to protect research participants and to maintain public trust.

For full information on this challenge, see our Strategic Plan 2010-20. Details of the support we provide to researchers can be found in Funding.