Wellcome Sanger Institute

The Government has published its Life Sciences Sector Plan, which focuses on translating research into real-world results and supporting economic growth.   Carl Anderson, Head of Human Genetics at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, shares his thoughts ⤵️ "The Life Sciences Sector Plan sets out an ambitious and exciting vision for unlocking the potential of NHS data. By combining this data with large-scale genomic data from clinical samples, we have an unprecedented opportunity to understand, predict, and ultimately prevent disease. With trusted, secure, and streamlined access to data and samples at scale, the UK can lead the world in delivering a new era of personalised, predictive healthcare.” Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eVANRjah

Lots to digest in the #LifeScienceSectorPlan released today. The focus on investment and capital is critical, and the recognition of the importance of global mobility for UK success is very welcome, but I think the focus on data is the real standout for me. The focus on large data resources and the recognition of UK leadership in building valuable data assets is exciting, has huge potential and is a great direction for UK R&D. The details on the new Health Data Research Service are unsurprisingly light but I think may prove to be the single biggest transformative piece to come out of this. https://lnkd.in/g_n7JHFQ

Experts are one step closer to harnessing the power of quantum computing for the benefit of human health. 🧬 A collaboration between the Wellcome Sanger Institute and the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Melbourne and Kyiv Academic University, has progressed into the final stage of the Q4Bio challenge, a competitive research programme funded by Wellcome Leap. The team has been awarded $2 million to enter Phase 3 of the programme, to help achieve their overall goal of performing genomic processing tasks that go beyond the capabilities of current classical computers. 💻 As part of this final phase, the team aim to encode and process an entire genome on a quantum computer. The chosen genome is the bacteriophage PhiX174. The sequencing of this genome for the first time famously earned Fred Sanger his second Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1980. Attempting to reliably encode its genome on a quantum computer will mark a major milestone in both genomic science and quantum technology. 🔬 You can read more about this here 👇 https://lnkd.in/e-Ahfx45

This week, Chris Smith on 25 years of the Human Genome Project... 🧬 The birth of genomics: Richard Durbin at the University of Cambridge on the city's pivotal role in the Human Genome Project. 🏢 Welcome to the Wellcome Sanger Institute: Matthew Hurles on the science that is driving our understanding of genomics. 👩⚕️ Genome sequencing and healthcare: Emma Davenport at the Wellcome Sanger Institute explains how she is helping tackle sepsis. 🖥️ AI and genomics: The Wellcome Sanger Institute's Mo Lotfollahi tells us how AI is shaping the future of genome research. #HumanGenomeProject #Genomics #DNA #Cambridge #Wellcome #SangerInstitute #Sepsis #Research #AI

Congratulations to the Aquatic Symbiosis Genomics (ASG) project, led by the Wellcome Sanger Institute. Fifty high-quality sponge genomes and counting are now published and freely accessible to the research community! 🌊 Sponges are ecological and biochemical powerhouses. They are lived in and on by symbionts, but the details of those relationships are poorly understood. Using genome analysis and other tools, scientists can now delve into the nature of these long-standing symbioses, uncover novel natural products, and explore the origin of animal immune systems. Access to diverse and high-quality genomes and biological samples is a cornerstone of breakthrough science. This project gives the global research community the tools to: 🕯️ Illuminate fundamental mechanisms of symbiosis, immunity and natural-product synthesis. 📑 Perform powerful comparative analyses on relationships, lifestyles and microbiome compositions. 🧬 We’re grateful to our partners at the Wellcome Sanger Institute and the global sponge research community for enabling this leap forward. Together, we’ll learn what’s possible when scientists around the world gain access to the rich tapestry of life’s genetic heritage. Jon Kaye | Stacey Lien Boyko

What does it mean to democratize AI in biology? In this latest video from our ethics series, Richard Milne (Wellcome Connecting Science Engagement and Society, Wellcome Sanger Institute) shares why inclusion, representation, and accessibility must be central to how we develop and implement AI tools. 🎙️ Richard challenges us to think beyond the needs of well-resourced institutions, and to ask: • Whose voices are we listening to when collecting data? • Are the benefits of AI tools accessible to researchers in the Global South? • How do we avoid reinforcing centralised power and expertise in AI? He reminds us that while institutions like Sanger have unparalleled resources, their greatest impact may come from serving broader global needs, not always by leading from the front, but by enabling others. 📽️ Watch the full video to hear why democratisation is key to ethical and equitable AI in biology. https://lnkd.in/eu9rFrnz

We're #hiring a new Sanger Excellence Fellowship in Hinxton, England. Apply today or share this post with your network.

Join our team! We're looking for a leader who can contribute to the strategic direction of the Genomic Surveillance Unit (GSU) at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, managing multidisciplinary teams in translational research and prototype development. As Head of Surveillance Science, you'll work closely with the Chief Scientific Officer (saheer gharbia) and global stakeholders to shape international frameworks that support innovation, collaboration, and the development of impactful surveillance tools. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eR7RKZDZ

There is a stark lack of representation across genomic science. 🧬 As genomics becomes more applied and starts underpinning therapies and drug treatments, we need to make sure everyone will benefit from these advancements. To support this goal, the Wellcome Sanger Institute is one of the first research institutions in the UK to launch an organisational Representative Research Strategy. 📑 The strategy is woven into the entire scientific process, with four priority areas: 1. Science strategy - integrating representative research into the fabric of how we do science. 2. In samples and cohorts - looking at the ones we use in our science and considering how we address equity and representation. 3. Data capture and analysis - how we integrate representation in the scientific tools and methods we use. 4. Research outputs and impact - where we consider the stage beyond the research project and how the findings are shared and can bring benefits to others around the world. Hayley Clissold, Policy and Advocacy Lead, tells us all about it in our latest blog ⬇️ https://ow.ly/BuaW50Wme5F

We're #hiring a new Head of Surveillance Science in Hinxton, England. Apply today or share this post with your network.