【AEA 2017 Alumni】
With the development of massively parallel next-generation sequencing that can analyze DNA samples at ultrahigh speed, the foundation for providing individual genome analysis to the general public at a realistic cost is being established. Databases have also been updated for genetic information on a large number of diseases. Although treatments and prevention methods might exist for a given disease, personal genome decoding can help devise medical interventions in accordance with the disease risk before actual onset of the disease, and thus help realize personalized medicine accordingly . When there are several members with a particular disease, such as cancer or cardiovascular disease, in one’s family, one might often get anxious about his/her own risk of developing that disease. Hiroki Sonehara, medical doctor at Chiba University Hospital, launched the project “Genome Clinic” in March 2017 as an original venture by Chiba University. This project offers a “medical checkup for personal genome,” where medical experts conduct individual genome analysis for prevention and early detection of disease in individuals from such afflicted families. So far, in this project, 59 genes in 27 diseases have been analyzed, for which the American College of Medical Genetics guideline has recommended understanding the risks and unveiling the actionable mutations. In Japan, this is the first attempt to evaluate multiple disease risks by conducting individual genome analyses by next-generation sequencing for general people who have not yet developed the disease some of their family members are afflicted with. The Genome Clinic will continue to conduct research aiming at price reduction for individual genome analysis and accuracy enhancement for disease risk judgement, thus improving analytical methods and social infrastructure for disease management.