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$14 Million Fund Aims to Diversify Human Genome Research Efforts
- Washington University has been awarded $14 million by the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) to support the development of a more inclusive Human Pangenome Reference Sequencing Project.
- The project aims to produce a comprehensive array of human genetic diversity and improve the understanding of how variations in genes influence diseases.
- The grant will support expansion of the pangenome reference sequence and provide innovative resources for the scientific community at large.
- The project seeks to ensure that newly developed precision treatments are accessible to a broader population, addressing health disparities that exist due to a lack of representation in genomic data.
- Washington University School of Medicine has a foundational role in the project, serving as the national coordinating center and operating one of its genomic sequencing data production centers.
- This funding will facilitate the expansion of the pangenome reference sequence while also providing innovative tools and resources that will benefit the scientific community at large.
- The first phase of the pangenome reference project successfully incorporated data from 350 individuals and phased two aims to expand the project with 200 additional genomes, bringing the total to 550.
- The project emphasizes the significance of addressing the ethical, legal, and social complexities associated with genomic research to conduct genetic research and safeguard both participants and the integrity of data.
- Washington University School of Medicine has established itself as a leader in biomedical research, with the second-largest NIH funding portfolio among U.S. medical schools.
- This project embodies the spirit of scientific progress by aiming to bridge the gap between genomic research and its applicability in real-world healthcare settings.
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