Topic description and stories

Cambridge has played a central role in the story of genomics: from uncovering the structure of DNA through to inventing a super-fast way of reading the genetic code. Today, researchers are using genomic information to make more accurate diagnoses, enable personalised medicine, tackle threats like COVID-19, and even reconstruct the ancient history of humans.

Usermontu Mummy

First complete genome data extracted from ancient Egyptian mummies

30 May 2017

Study finds that ancient Egyptians were most closely related to ancient populations from the Middle East and Western Asia.

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Human Genome mannequin

Algorithm matches genetic variation to disease symptoms and could improve diagnosis of rare diseases

19 Apr 2017

A faster and more accurate method of identifying which of an individual’s genes are associated with particular symptoms has been developed by a team...

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Dani tribesman on his way to his village in the Baliem Valley, Papua.

Ancient ‘trace’ in Papuan genomes suggests previously unknown expansion out of Africa

21 Sep 2016

Several major studies, published today, concur that virtually all current global human populations stem from a single wave of expansion out of Africa...

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Hospital-Associated MRSA Bacteria

Zero-tolerance approach to MRSA “unachievable”, study suggests

21 Jul 2014

Analysis of a supposed outbreak of MRSA in a Cambridge hospital raises questions about whether the superbug can be completely eradicated, despite a...

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An overview of the structure of DNA

New initiative will sequence 10,000 whole genomes of people with rare genetic diseases

21 Oct 2013

Project will lay foundation for genomic medicine.

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