"Enhancing collaboration between St George's University and Trust, to improve the patient experience through genomic research, education and training."
Genomics is the study of the body’s genes, their functions and their influence on the growth, development and working of the body. In 2003, the whole human genome was sequenced and published.
It had taken 20 international research centres thirteen years to complete. The introduction of new technology has allowed massive parallel sequencing by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS). The whole genome of one individual can now be sequenced in four days.
Over 20,000 genes have been identified but they only make up a very small proportion of our DNA (less than 2%) which is made up of 3 billion nucleotides (the building blocks of the DNA). The amount of data in one cell of your body is huge. Your smart phone could only store the data for just your genome. More information can be found on the Wellcome Collection website.
So much data can cause problems. We are all individual, we all carry our own unique variants – so analysis of the data to determine if a variant in the DNA is causing harm is tricky.
Genomic analysis or Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) has recently become readily available on the NHS. All health care providers are now able to access this test in their own speciality. This technology provides a unique opportunity and a vast improvement on previous diagnostic testing but new difficulties. Understanding these new tests in this new era of genomics is critical and it introduces great research opportunities.
The Genomics Clinical Academic Group (G-CAG) has been created to improve research, education and training for both the NHS Trust and the University in this new field.
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We hold cross-institutional mini-symposiums to raise awareness of the research already happening at St George’s, which covers a wide range of topics with researchers from a range of different research sections in the St George's, University of London Institutes.
The G CAG has links with many departments at St George's, University of London, particularly the Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute where researchers are studying various themes such as cardiovascular and neurosciences with many researchers linking to our genetics and genomics research groups.
The G-CAG has also been involved in developing online resources available through the Future Learn platform- many are free and very flexible:
The G-CAG is led by a Director, Dr Emma Matthews, supported by an administrator and a 15-member Steering Committee which meets quarterly to set key priorities and monitor performance.
The Genomics CAG also present regular joint and mini symposiums to highlight developments within their field.
To enquire about becoming a member of the G-CAG, please email generaladmin@sgul.ac.uk