A quarter of a century ago, one of the world’s most significant scientific achievements was announced.
The first draft of the human genome – our genetic blueprint – was published on 26 June, 2000. It had taken 10 years to sequence that draft.
Prof Matt Hurles, director of the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Picture: Onur Pinar / Wellcome Sanger Institute
Today, facilities at the Wellcome Sanger Institute can sequence the equivalent of one gold-standard human genome every 11 minutes and 48 seconds.
The institute in Hinxton played a leading role in the Human Genome Project, contributing nearly a third of the sequence. And it has been looking ahead to how genomics will shape research for the next 25 years and what it means for global human and planetary health.
Prof Matt Hurles, the director at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said: “The 25 years since the announcement of the completion of the human genome have transformed our understanding of biology in both predicted and unpredicted ways. Now, we are looking to the future, applying the same collaborative approach to new, ambitious projects that aim to continue to build on the legacy of the Human Genome Project.”
The institute now aims to understand the impacts of every single genetic change in the genome and is exploring how to use genomics to shape clinical practice.
It is also on a mission to create a genetic record of all life on Earth, and is using genomics to help stop the spread of diseases.
New sequencing technologies now mean high-resolution genomic data can be produced at scale and the application of artificial intelligence is helping scientists to analyse, model and understand the data in new ways.
The genomics revolution in healthcare is well under way, of course, helping to predict who may be at higher risk of disease, who will respond better to particular therapies and informing personalised medicine across all areas of disease.
Whole genome sequencing now part of clinical care in the NHS. This informs both the diagnosis and treatment for rare diseases and cancer.
Last year, Sanger researchers analysed whole genome sequencing for childhood cancer, discovering that the gold-standard genomic test yielded new insights that improved clinical care and cut the number of tests required, as the Cambridge Independent reported.
The first draft of the human genome was published 25 years ago. Picture: iStock
Meanwhile, a global consortium including the Sanger Institute continues to build the extraordinary Human Cell Atlas – a three-dimensional map of human cells that is expected to transform our understanding of biology and disease.
This is an excellent example of global collaboration and open science, underlining how progress is achieved through collective effort.
Genomic surveillance is being used globally to help track disease outbreaks, such as dengue fever as it moves into Europe, and is a vital tool in pandemic preparedness.
John-Arne Røttingen, chief executive of Wellcome, said: “The Human Genome Project was one of the most significant scientific endeavours undertaken, leaving an extraordinary legacy that can be found right at the core of fundamental innovations that have improved human health and our understanding of disease. Wellcome established the Wellcome Sanger Institute in 1992 to contribute to the project and our involvement was pivotal in ensuring the complete genome remained available and accessible to all who needed it, a global public good.
“We proudly continue to support bold discovery research, matching the same spirit of open collaboration, to advance the science needed for transforming health outcomes for people globally.”
Progress will also be aided by the expansion plans for the Wellcome Genome Campus – home to the Sanger Institute, EMBL’s European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), and other genomic leaders. It is set to grow from 125 to 440 acres, providing new lab space, homes and other amenities in what is one of the largest contemporary investments in the UK’s life sciences infrastructure.
As scientists reflect on the 25-year anniversary of the announcement of the first draft of the human genome, they will also be daring to dream about what can be achieved in the next 25 years.