Subsequent to the completion of the Human Genome Project advances in genomic sequencing have led to a dramatic fall in time taken and cost to produce very large scale sequence-based datasets. Cambridge University has a long and productive history in both the development and application of DNA sequencing technologies.

A DNA electrophoretogram generated by the Sanger method

The ABI SOLiD3 Seqence Analyzer
(Image courtesy of Applied Biosystems)

The creation of the Eastern Sequence and Informatics Hub will enable researchers working in our region to utilise a crucial 21st-century research approach in their studies. In collaboration with the nearby European Bioinformatics Institute, an international centre for sequence data analysis, the Hub will provide researchers with access to all the tools required to analyse these complicated datsets.

The Hub, based at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, has a research development and strategic aim to apply HTS to routine medical diagnostic uses, in particular in HLA typing in transplantation and cord blood stem cells, prenatal diagnosis, and re-sequencing of disease genes (e.g. BRCA genes) in collaboration with the national Blood Service and NHS Regional Clinical Genetics Services.