UK conference highlights genomics partnership opportunities

A major international gathering has been held in the UK to encourage global collaboration in the emerging fields of genomics and personalised medicine.

During the conference, 30 representatives of governments, healthcare providers, academia and industry from 15 countries gathered to meet with British experts, providing an opportunity to explore collaborations to develop local genomics capabilities.

Delegates discussed the impact of the genomics revolution on global health during two days of talks and presentations, as well as taking part in a study tour to see in practice how the UK is approaching the introduction of genomics into clinical medicine.

It is hoped that this kind of research will improve understanding of inherited diseases and cancer, opening the door for the development of new therapies and diagnostic tests.

Alistair Burt, minister of state for community and social care at the Department of Health, said: "The UK has great strength in genomics and personalised medicine and has a clear proposition to work with partners around the world to develop global genomics capability and capacity."

The UK is already considered to be a world leader in genomics thanks to the 100,000 Genomes Project, a scheme dedicated to sequencing the genomes of 100,000 NHS patients.