{"id":475145,"date":"2025-10-05T05:13:42","date_gmt":"2025-10-05T05:13:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/475145\/"},"modified":"2025-10-05T05:13:42","modified_gmt":"2025-10-05T05:13:42","slug":"chula-launches-newborn-genome-sequencing-project-chulalongkorn-university","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/475145\/","title":{"rendered":"Chula Launches Newborn Genome Sequencing Project \u00a0 \u2013 Chulalongkorn University"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img width=\"750\" height=\"393\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/2025-09-16-\u0e08\u0e35\u0e42\u0e19\u0e21\u0e34\u0e01\u0e17\u0e32\u0e23\u0e01-1024x536.jpg\" class=\"nolazy w-100 img-fluid mt-4 mt-sm-6 mt-md-n6 wp-post-image\" alt=\"Chula Launches Newborn Genome Sequencing Project for Early Detection and Prevention of Genetic Diseases\u00a0\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"  \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<p class=\"display-5 font-heading line-height-sm mb-0\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/sgh.md.chula.ac.th\/research\/4305\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Center of Excellence in Medical Genetics<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.md.chula.ac.th\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Faculty of Medicine<\/a>, Chulalongkorn University, has launched one of the world\u2019s first projects to perform long-read whole genome sequencing in newborns. The initiative screens for 113 genetic diseases, with the goal of early prevention and treatment, opening a new frontier in precision medicine and improving lifelong health outcomes.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Genomic Medicine: A New Dimension in Health Care<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Modern medicine has entered a new era by decoding the genetic foundations of diseases. Genomic medicine can reveal who is prone to which illness, at what age symptoms may appear, and which medications will work best for an individual. These answers lie hidden in every person\u2019s genetic code. Modern medicine, known as genomic medicine, has developed processes and technologies to decode an individual\u2019s genetic information to enable more accurate and specific diagnosis, treatment, and disease prevention.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"974\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Dr-Vorasak-974x1024.jpg\" alt=\"Prof. Dr. Vorasuk Shotelersuk&#10; Director, Center of Excellence in Medical Genetics and Deputy Dean for Research, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University&#10;\u0e28. \u0e19\u0e1e.\u0e27\u0e23\u0e28\u0e31\u0e01\u0e14\u0e34\u0e4c \u0e42\u0e0a\u0e15\u0e34\u0e40\u0e25\u0e2d\u0e28\u0e31\u0e01\u0e14\u0e34\u0e4c \u0e1c\u0e39\u0e49\u0e2d\u0e33\u0e19\u0e27\u0e22\u0e01\u0e32\u0e23\u0e28\u0e39\u0e19\u0e22\u0e4c\u0e40\u0e0a\u0e35\u0e48\u0e22\u0e27\u0e0a\u0e32\u0e0d\u0e40\u0e09\u0e1e\u0e32\u0e30\u0e17\u0e32\u0e07\u0e14\u0e49\u0e32\u0e19\u0e40\u0e27\u0e0a\u0e1e\u0e31\u0e19\u0e18\u0e38\u0e28\u0e32\u0e2a\u0e15\u0e23\u0e4c \u0e41\u0e25\u0e30\u0e23\u0e2d\u0e07\u0e04\u0e13\u0e1a\u0e14\u0e35\u0e1d\u0e48\u0e32\u0e22\u0e27\u0e34\u0e08\u0e31\u0e22 \u0e04\u0e13\u0e30\u0e41\u0e1e\u0e17\u0e22\u0e28\u0e32\u0e2a\u0e15\u0e23\u0e4c \u0e08\u0e38\u0e2c\u0e32\u0e25\u0e07\u0e01\u0e23\u0e13\u0e4c\u0e21\u0e2b\u0e32\u0e27\u0e34\u0e17\u0e22\u0e32\u0e25\u0e31\u0e22\" class=\"wp-image-260884\" style=\"width:463px;height:auto\"  \/>Prof. Dr. Vorasuk Shotelersuk<br \/> Director, Center of Excellence in Medical Genetics and Deputy Dean for Research, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhy wait until a person is sick to check their genetic information? We can screen newborns and prevent symptoms before they appear, said Prof.<strong> Dr. Vorasuk Shotelersuk<\/strong>, Director of the Center of Excellence in Medical Genetics and Deputy Dean for Research, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University. \u201cBecause our genes stay the same, we can detect disease risk from birth and intervene early.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>This principle inspired the launch of the Long-Read Whole Genome Sequencing Screening Project for Genetic Diseases in Newborns.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Technology: Long-Read Whole Genome Sequencing<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The project uses Long-Read Whole Genome Sequencing, one of the world\u2019s most advanced DNA sequencing methods, to determine if a child is at risk for serious genetic diseases. Once the data is collected, the child can be monitored and cared for.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Professor Dr. Vorasuk revealed that this project has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, and is now recruiting volunteers (pregnant women). About 300 participants are expected in the first year.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>If abnormalities are found, children can receive early, targeted prevention and treatment.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"461\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WGS1-1024x461.png\" alt=\"Long Read Whole Genome Sequencing technology can read much longer sequences, enabling it to detect complex mutations better than Short Read Sequencing.&#10;\u0e40\u0e17\u0e04\u0e42\u0e19\u0e42\u0e25\u0e22\u0e35 Long Read Whole Genome Sequencing \u0e2a\u0e32\u0e21\u0e32\u0e23\u0e16\u0e2d\u0e48\u0e32\u0e19\u0e25\u0e33\u0e14\u0e31\u0e1a\u0e40\u0e1a\u0e2a\u0e44\u0e14\u0e49\u0e22\u0e32\u0e27\u0e01\u0e27\u0e48\u0e32\u0e40\u0e14\u0e34\u0e21\u0e21\u0e32\u0e01 \u0e17\u0e33\u0e43\u0e2b\u0e49\u0e2a\u0e32\u0e21\u0e32\u0e23\u0e16\u0e15\u0e23\u0e27\u0e08\u0e08\u0e31\u0e1a\u0e01\u0e32\u0e23\u0e01\u0e25\u0e32\u0e22\u0e1e\u0e31\u0e19\u0e18\u0e38\u0e4c\u0e17\u0e35\u0e48\u0e0b\u0e31\u0e1a\u0e0b\u0e49\u0e2d\u0e19\u0e44\u0e14\u0e49\u0e14\u0e35\u0e01\u0e27\u0e48\u0e32 Short Read Sequencing\" class=\"wp-image-260886\"  \/>Long Read Whole Genome Sequencing technology can read much longer sequences, enabling it to detect complex mutations better than Short Read Sequencing.<\/p>\n<p><strong>From \u201cOne-Size-Fits-All\u201d to Personalized Medicine<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Professor Dr. Vorasuk said that in the past, medicine followed a population-based model: a drug might work for 90% of patients, but not for the other 10%, with no way of predicting who would respond or experience side effects.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGenetic sequencing changes this,\u201d Prof. Dr. Vorasuk explained. \u201cWe can move from averages to individuals\u2014predicting who will respond, who will not, and who may have adverse reactions.\u00a0 That is personalized medicine.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"572\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WGS2-1024x572.png\" alt=\"Precision Medicine is a personalized medicine that uses patient genetic, environmental and behavioral data.&#10;Precision Medicine \u0e04\u0e37\u0e2d Personalized medicine \u0e17\u0e35\u0e48\u0e43\u0e0a\u0e49\u0e02\u0e49\u0e2d\u0e21\u0e39\u0e25\u0e25\u0e33\u0e14\u0e31\u0e1a\u0e2a\u0e32\u0e23\u0e1e\u0e31\u0e19\u0e18\u0e38\u0e01\u0e23\u0e23\u0e21 \u0e2a\u0e34\u0e48\u0e07\u0e41\u0e27\u0e14\u0e25\u0e49\u0e2d\u0e21\u0e41\u0e25\u0e30\u0e1e\u0e24\u0e15\u0e34\u0e01\u0e23\u0e23\u0e21\u0e02\u0e2d\u0e07\u0e1c\u0e39\u0e49\u0e1b\u0e48\u0e27\u0e22 \" class=\"wp-image-260888\"  \/>Precision Medicine is a personalized medicine that uses patient genetic, environmental and behavioral data.<\/p>\n<p>Professor Dr. Vorasuk outlined three key terms related to the future direction of personalized medicine:\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Personalized Medicine:<\/strong> Medical care focused on individual health and disease treatment.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li><strong>Genomic Medicine:<\/strong> Personalized medicine using genetic sequence data for health care and treatment.\u00a0<\/li>\n<li><strong>Precision Medicine: <\/strong>Personalized medicine that uses genetic data, environment, and behavior information for individualized care and treatment.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u201cDNA sequencing technology has been developing since the 1970s, starting with reading a single base pair, advancing to thousands, millions, and billions of base pairs per test.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"573\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/WGS3-1024x573.png\" alt=\"Sequencing technology has improved steadily, and today it can detect billions of base pairs within hours.&#10;\u0e40\u0e17\u0e04\u0e42\u0e19\u0e42\u0e25\u0e22\u0e35\u0e15\u0e23\u0e27\u0e08\u0e25\u0e33\u0e14\u0e31\u0e1a\u0e2a\u0e32\u0e23\u0e1e\u0e31\u0e19\u0e18\u0e38\u0e01\u0e23\u0e23\u0e21\u0e1e\u0e31\u0e12\u0e19\u0e32\u0e40\u0e1e\u0e34\u0e48\u0e21\u0e02\u0e36\u0e49\u0e19\u0e40\u0e23\u0e37\u0e48\u0e2d\u0e22 \u0e46 \u0e08\u0e19\u0e16\u0e36\u0e07\u0e1b\u0e31\u0e08\u0e08\u0e38\u0e1a\u0e31\u0e19\u0e2a\u0e32\u0e21\u0e32\u0e23\u0e16\u0e15\u0e23\u0e27\u0e08\u0e44\u0e14\u0e49\u0e43\u0e19\u0e2b\u0e25\u0e31\u0e01\u0e1e\u0e31\u0e19\u0e25\u0e49\u0e32\u0e19\u0e04\u0e39\u0e48\u0e40\u0e1a\u0e2a\u0e20\u0e32\u0e22\u0e43\u0e19\u0e2b\u0e25\u0e31\u0e01\u0e0a\u0e31\u0e48\u0e27\u0e42\u0e21\u0e07\" class=\"wp-image-260889\"  \/>Sequencing technology has improved steadily, and today it can detect billions of base pairs within hours.<\/p>\n<p>Today, genetic sequencing has made huge leaps, such as Long-Read Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS), which reads the entire genome of an organism with longer base reads, unlike the more common short-read sequencing.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLong-read sequencing allows us to read much longer DNA sequences, enabling better detection of complex mutations. This project will use this new technology for genetic screening in newborns.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>How the Screening Works<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>At prenatal care visits at <a href=\"https:\/\/kcmh.chulalongkornhospital.go.th\/en\/homepage-en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chulalongkorn Hospital<\/a>, the medical genetics team explains the project and obtains parental consent. The procedure is safe, free of charge, and painless to both mother and baby. The genetic sequencing data will enable early disease prevention, increasing the child\u2019s chance for good health and quality of life.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>After delivery at Chulalongkorn Hospital, doctors collect blood from the umbilical cord attached to the placenta. DNA is then extracted and sequenced.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNeither mother nor baby will feel pain because the blood is taken from the umbilical cord that would otherwise be discarded,\u201d said Professor Dr. Vorasuk.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBlood becomes DNA, which becomes digital data for analysis,\u201d Professor Dr. Vorasuk explained. \u201cHumans have over 20,000 genes, but initially, we will analyze 246 genes linked to 113 treatable childhood diseases, with results delivered to parents within 60 days.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Why Early Genetic Knowledge Matters<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Long-Read Whole Genome Sequencing reads the entire genome, but the project focuses only on severe, treatable diseases in early childhood\u2014first 5 years of a child\u2019s life.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf the mutation is related to diseases that develop in adulthood, like cancer at age 40, we will not analyze or report it,\u201d explained Professor Dr. Vorasuk. \u201cWe focus on diseases manifesting within the first 5 years. When the child grows up, they can choose whether to learn about adult-onset risks. We don\u2019t want to burden parents with concerns about diseases that may appear decades later.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Examples of detectable conditions include:\u00a0<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Blood disorders (Thalassemia)\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Neuromuscular diseases (Muscular dystrophy)\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Immune deficiencies (Combined immunodeficiency)\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Hearing loss disorders (Congenital auditory nerve deafness)\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Metabolic conditions (Phenylketonuria)\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Lysosomal storage diseases (Fabry disease)\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Peroxisomal and saccharide metabolism disorders (Glycogen storage disease)\u00a0<\/li>\n<li>Endocrine disorders (Congenital adrenal hyperplasia)\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u201cGenetic diseases begin at birth with mutations present from day zero. Symptoms may appear at birth, age 2, or even age 40. The project\u2019s goal is to detect them early to prevent symptoms,\u201d Professor Dr. Vorasuk said, giving examples.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cA 2-year-old with genetic mutations causing retinoblastoma might have advanced cancer when detected by doctors, requiring eye removal and leading to blindness. This project screens for mutations early so treatment can start when tumors are small, preserving the child\u2019s eyesight.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn another example: four siblings appear healthy at birth, but around age 10, after infections like tooth decay, the siblings are given an antibiotic called aminoglycoside. Without screening, one child suddenly becomes deaf due to a gene mutation triggered by this drug. Screening newborns would reveal the mutation, allowing doctors to avoid aminoglycosides and preserve the child\u2019s hearing.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Looking Ahead<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Professor Dr. Vorasuk believes genome knowledge will become a cornerstone of future health care.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWho would live a better life\u2014someone who knows their genome from birth, or someone who does not?\u201d he asked.\u00a0 Knowing your genome means a higher chance of prevention, accurate diagnosis, and targeted treatment. For example, knowing a high risk for colorectal cancer enables prevention and reduces mortality. If at risk for breast cancer, early preventive measures can be taken. One day, I believe every child will be born with their genome mapped.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Genomic medicine is rapidly advancing, with genetic technologies increasingly applicable to complex, multifactorial diseases like diabetes, cholesterol issues, and hypertension.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Though sequencing costs remain high, prices are falling as technology advances. If successful, this project could expand nationwide, giving all Thai children access to their genetic blueprint from birth.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cKnowing one\u2019s genome is the foundation of future medicine\u2014not only for prevention and treatment, but eventually for gene editing and gene therapy,\u201d Prof. Dr. Vorasuk added.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>For those interested in participating in newborn genetic sequencing, contact +662-256-4000 ext. 73102 to 73105 during office hours.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Reference: <a href=\"https:\/\/kcmh.chulalongkornhospital.go.th\/ec\/excellence-center-for-genomics-and-precision-medicine-th\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Center of Excellence in Genomics and Precision Medicine\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Center of Excellence in Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, has launched one of the world\u2019s&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":475146,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3846],"tags":[267,70,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-475145","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-genetics","8":"tag-genetics","9":"tag-science","10":"tag-uk","11":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/115319853631589587","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/475145","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=475145"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/475145\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/475146"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=475145"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=475145"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=475145"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}