Eric S. Lander, one of the principal leaders of the Human Genome Project that mapped the entire human genetic code in 2003, said on Wednesday that the “real genome project” is about studying huge samples of genomic data to identify disease genes.
While phenomenal technological advances had helped reduce the cost of genome sequencing by a million-fold over the last decade, allowing researchers to map thousands of human genomes, the future of genomic medicine depended on “sharing information” between organisations and countries — including India — Professor Lander said.
In order for therapy to emerge from genetic research, “health systems around the world need to turn into learning systems” that share information, said Prof Lander, delivering a lecture on “The Human Genome and Beyond: A 35 year Journey of Genomic Medicine” as part of the three-city Cell Press-TNQ Distinguished Lectureship Series.
Prof. Lander envisaged a “DNA library” where genes can be cross-referenced to detect “spelling differences” and disease genes. The goal before the scientific community now was to find targets for therapeutic intervention, he said, to a packed auditorium comprising a large number of medical students. There was much to be learnt in the course of clinical care, said Prof. Lander, founding director of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard University.
While the “breathless hype” created around the Human Genome Project suggested that it would cure all disease in a couple of years, he said much progress had indeed been made over the last decade with the discovery of several genes responsible for diabetes, schizophrenia and heart attacks.
Prof. Lander will be speaking next on Friday at the JN Tata Auditorium in Bengaluru as part of the lectureship series.
