100,000 Genomes Project

King’s is one of a select group of hospitals that took part in the national 100,000 Genomes Project. This involved collecting blood samples from certain patients and their relatives to increase our understanding of certain cancers and rare diseases.

A genome is the code in our DNA. It contains the information for about 20,000 genes. We all inherit a copy of the genome from each parent and it contains the information needed to make every part of the body. The small differences in genomes are what make us unique.

The 100,000 Genomes Project has been carried out on a scale never seen before anywhere else in the world. 100,000 human genomes have been sequenced and are now being analysed to create a new genomic medicine service in the NHS, enhance our understanding of diseases and potentially change the way we treat patients.

Researchers are also studying how best to use genomics in healthcare and how best to interpret the data to help patients. The causes, diagnosis and treatment of diseases are also being investigated. In some cases it might be possible to give patients a diagnosis where they didn’t have one before, and in the future, they may be offered more effective treatments.

King’s is part of the South London NHS Genomic Medicine Centre – one of 13 centres nationally taking part in the project. The project is being delivered in partnership with Genomics England and NHS England. Further information can be found on the Genomics England website.

Information for participants

100,000 genomes have been sequenced and are now being analysed. Participants who volunteered for the project can find out more on the Genomics England website.

Please note that King’s has not received all of the results back from the sequencing centre for patients we recruited onto the project. We expect these results to be returned to King’s by February 2020. We will then need to confirm any findings before we return the results to the clinical teams and the patients involved in the project.