Oxford Nanopore’s breakthrough genetic sequencing tech to analyse 50,000 samples from UK Biobank, to create a world-first ‘epigenetic map’
The root causes of diseases like cancer, dementia and heart disease are set to be better understood thanks to the development of a world-first ‘epigenetic map’ of the human genome – which could lead to breakthroughs in new diagnoses and treatments.
This new resource for medical researchers will be created thanks to the government’s new strategic partnership with Oxford Nanopore Technologies, UK Biobank, NHS England and Genomics England.
Epigenetics is the emerging study of how inheritable traits – such as the risk of developing a certain disease – can emerge and change without actual changes in our DNA code, but rather as a result of modifications that change how our genes are expressed. These modifications can arise randomly, but also in response to environmental factors like smoking or UV exposure.
Oxford Nanopore, a leading Oxford-headquartered life science company, will use its pioneering technology to conduct genetic sequencing of 50,000 samples from UK Biobank, the world’s most advanced source of data for health research.
This will deliver the world’s first comprehensive dataset of epigenetic modification in the human genome – a potentially game-changing resource for health researchers worldwide.
Improving our understanding of epigenetics could give a new window into the root causes of diseases like cancer, which still causes more than 1 in 4 deaths in the UK. Recent studies have shown that epigenetics can play a major role in uncovering cancer’s underlying causes, enabling more targeted treatments and improved patient care by addressing the non-inherited factors driving tumour progression and resistance.
This could pave the way to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for patients, giving hope to the millions of people who live with conditions like these, and their families.
“Diseases like cancer and dementia have brought heartache to every family in the country,” said Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle.
“By bringing government, the NHS, researchers and leading businesses together in partnership, we can transform our understanding of these conditions.
“The progress they make will ultimately save lives, and keep families together for longer.”
Gordon Sanghera, CEO of Oxford Nanopore, said: “This project represents a significant leap forward in epigenetic research, an increasingly important area of study related to disease progression and response to treatment.
“Working with UK Biobank to create the world’s largest epigenetic dataset aligns with our commitment to drive discovery in healthcare and genomics.
“By capturing comprehensive methylation data, we aim to open new doors for understanding disease, especially cancer, and ultimately enable more personalised, effective treatments for patients.”
Professor Naomi Allen, Chief Scientist, UK Biobank, said: “Our lifestyle and environment can cause chemical changes to our DNA, which can contribute to disease by altering the ways genes tell the body which proteins to produce.
“By understanding these chemical changes, known as epigenetics, we can learn why some people fall ill and others don’t, even when they share the same genes.
“Right now, researchers only have small amounts of epigenetic data to study – this project will create a dataset unlike anything else in the world. It is orders of magnitude bigger, and because of the technology, the data will be much more detailed.
“Combining epigenetic data with the existing genetic, imaging, proteomic and lifestyle data that UK Biobank holds for our participants, will lead to a much better understanding of how diseases develop in mid- to old-age.”
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