After the full sequence of human genome has been established in the early 2000s, a lot of perspectives emerged regarding the use of genomics data for health improvement.
For this purpose, the 100.000 Genomes Project was built up by NHS in the United Kingdom and aims to sequence about 70.000 patients presenting rare genetic diseases or cancers using the Whole Genome Sequencing technique. This wide screening using a genomics approach should allow researchers to better identify mutations in the entire genome, that are implicated in rare disease inheritment or in cancer arise. The identification of such mutations will also allow to find or adapt therapies using targeted molecules.
To realize this project, samples from patients all across the UK are collected in order to be analyzed in the central sequencing center of the project. Before analysis, the DNA needs to be extracted and meet very strict characteristics to ensure sequencing success: as it is time-saving and preserves the quality of the sample, partner laboratories chose to use Precellys homogenizers for their DNA extraction. Its flexibility and efficient beat-beating technology ensures the sample is grinded and prepared within secondes, with optimal extraction of DNA.