Let’s talk about (biological) sex

Sex as a biological variable has not always been factored in to medical research and practice. Will that change in the era of precision medicine?

Genomics and acute myeloid leukaemia

Aggressive and complex, AML often proves a challenge for clinicians, but genomic analysis is helping in the search for targeted treatments

Genomics, the land, and the promise of new drugs

Despite its proven value, scientists and researchers are yet to harness the full medical potential of the soil. Is genomics the key?
Fertilisation IVF

Birth of world’s first gene-edited babies sparks outcry

Why is the procedure so controversial, what are the risks, and could it ever happen in the UK? We take a look at the key issues

Unlocking the secrets of the genome

It was once believed that 99% of our genome was made up of ‘junk’ DNA with no purpose. Recent discoveries suggest this is far from the truth

Polygenic risk scores: how useful are they?

Being able to predict an individual’s risk of common conditions is regarded by many as the holy grail. So, where are we now?

Tuberculosis: genome sequencing and new treatment

TB cases are falling worldwide, but with hard-to-treat strains more prevalent than ever, how can genomics help? And what’s new on the treatment horizon?

Your invaluable genome

Genomic data is the currency of a new era of medicine that promises incredible advances. Here, bioinformatician Nana Mensah explains why

First RNA-based therapy approved in US and Europe

Gene-silencing technique works without altering the person’s DNA, and prevents harmful proteins from being made in their cells  

Sequencing the enemy: the genomics of infectious diseases

It’s not just human genomes that interest us in healthcare – the genomes of infective organisms can help us identify, track and prevent infection
what is precision medicine

New liquid biopsy can detect eight common cancers

Blood test could ‘change the way we screen for cancer’, though more research is needed to ensure its efficacy in a real-world screening context 

Cancer immunotherapy: predicting outcomes

Today's monoclonal antibody treatments benefit some patients but can be harmful to others; the search for reliable predictive biomarkers is on