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| NYGC is at the forefront of research into the human genome, or the complete set of nucleic acid sequence encoded as DNA. Image: Shutterstock |
The New York Genome Center (NYGC) is at the forefront of
research into the human genome. Leaders in technology, science, and medicine
form this consortium. Their goal is to combine genomic data and industrial
innovation into treatments for people suffering from serious disease. Business
leaders like NYGC Board of Directors member William
Ford, CEO of General Atlantic, provide the insight and experience required
to discover, build, and maintain productive partnerships.
Each human cell contains our genome. Composed of DNA, the
genome contains instructions for making our bodies. Strands of DNA form
chromosomes, found in the nucleus of each cell. Our genes are sections of DNA
within our chromosomes and control traits like eye color and height. The human
genome is made of 3.2 billion bases of DNA. Enough data to fill a stack of paperback
books reaching 200 feet high.
Vast amount of scientific research into cancer is being
conducted and published each year. “The real challenge before us is how to make
sense of massive quantities of genetic data and translate that information into
better treatments for patients,” said Robert Darnell, M.D., Ph.D., CEO,
President and Scientific Director of the NYGC.
Traditionally an oncologist searching for a DNA-based
treatment for a patient’s specific type of cancer would have to invest crushing
amounts of time and money coordinating reams of data to find the right
treatment. Luckily the clouds have parted and there is hope on the horizon.
That hope is based on the cloud computing capacity of IBM Watson working in
partnership with the NYGC’s data. “Applying the cognitive computing power of
Watson is going to revolutionize genomics and accelerate the opportunity to
improve outcomes for patients with deadly diseases by providing personalized treatment.”
The Human Genome
Project (HGP) completed the mapping of the human genome n 2001. This data
provides detailed information about the structure and organization of a
complete set of human genes. "It's a shop manual, with an incredibly
detailed blueprint for building every human cell. And it's a transformative
textbook of medicine, with insights that will give health care providers
immense new powers to treat, prevent and cure disease," said Francis
Collins, director of the National Human Genome Research Institute.
For more information about the New York Genome Center and
the innovative work it does, visit www.nygenome.org.
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